UPS AND DOWNS

Brisbane band Ups and Downs was one of Australia’s best-known proponents of neo-psychedelic guitar pop in the 1980s, mixing ’60s elements (Byrds-ian jangle and harmonies) with more experimental and contemporary influences. With songs like ''The Living Kind'' and ''Lit by the Fuse'', they made an impression on local and US independent charts. The band formed in the early 80s and cut their first single in 1984 ''Living Inside My Head / Out Of The Darkness'' on the Basketcase label. The lineup was Greg Atkinson (vocals, bass), Darren Atkinson (vocals, drums), Peter Hamilton-Shaw (guitar) and John Flade (guitar). The second single '' The Perfect Crime / Neverending'' was released in 1985.

The band performed around the Sydney area like the Picadilly Hotel at Kings Cross, Selinas, Tivoli, The Metro. They appeared on TV on shows like Hey Hey Its Saturday and The Noise. Their album debut 'Sleepless' was released in 1986. In 1988 they signed with Mushroom Records and released the album 'Underneath The Watchful Eye'. Trevor O'Neil was recruited on keyboards. After the release of a second single on Mushroom the band saw two years of recording delays brought about by a label change. The band lost momentum and split up in 1990. (They reformed in 2006 for the Pig City festival alongside the original line-up of The Saints). In 2017 they released their album 'The Sky's In Love With You' on Basketcase Records, with bass player Alex Ronayne. In September 2019, they recorded a cover version of The Hummingbirds' "Two Weeks With a Good Man in Niagara Falls" for the 'Shake Yer Popboomerang Volume 3' compilation. As of 2021 they were getting ready for some shows with The Church in Sydney and The Sunnyboys in Brisbane.

Members

Greg Atkinson (vocals, bass), Darren Atkinson (vocals, drums), Peter Hamilton-Shaw (guitar), John Flade (guitar, vocals), Trevor O'Neil (keyboards, vocals), Alex Ronayne (bass)

SINGLES
''Living Inside My Head / Out Of The Darkness'' 1984 Basketcase 
''The Perfect Crime / Neverending'' 1985 Basketcase 
''The Perfect Crime / Neverending'' 1986 Waterfront 
''In The Shadows / I Wonder / Traeh'' 1986 Waterfront 
''The Living Kind (#75) / Painted Sad'' 1986 True Tone 
''Lit By The Fuse (#94) / Househunting'' 1988 Mushroom 
''Moments Away / Pleasant'' 1988 Mushroom 
''Untie Ian / Safer (Remix)'' 1991Volition 
''The Real World / Closer Still'' 2019Basketcase 
''Gideon'' 2023 Basketcase 

EPs

'Rash' 1990 Volition

'Another Country' 2020 Basketcase

ALBUMS
'Sleepless' 1986 Truetone 
'Underneath The Watchful Eye' 1988 Mushroom 
'The Sky's In Love With You' 2017 Basketcase

References

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/