The Last Words were an Australian punk rock group formed in Sydney in 1977 by vocalist Malcolm Baxter, guitarist Andy Groome, bassist Mick Smith and drummer Jeffrey Wegener (ex-The Saints). Baxter, Groome and Smith had been living in suburban, Liverpool when they met Wegener. Wegener left soon after formation and Smith exited before the end of the year. Their debut single, "Animal World" (March 1978), was recorded by the two remaining members with Baxter on lead vocals and drums and Groome on guitar and bass guitar; and it was co-written by the pair. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how, "it was a poorly recorded, self-produced effort."
Baxter and Groome were joined by Ken Doyle (drums) and Leigh Kendall (bass) to re-record "Animal World", which was re-issued in February 1979 via Wizard Records. Bob Short of Kill Your Pet Puppy, described the label's rationale for signing the group, "As glam faded they desperately looked around for their chunk of the next big thing. If you were looking for an unsigned contender, the Last Words ticked off all their boxes. Authentically working-class punk with a firm grip on traditional pop sensibility, Wizard rushed them into the studio and did the business properly."
The Last Words relocated to London and were signed to Rough Trade Records. Doyle remained in Australia and was replaced by local musician, John Gunn on drums. Rough Trade used the Wizard Records version for another re-issue of "Animal World", which appeared in the United Kingdom in October 1979. It reached #8 in the Alternative Charts. Their next two singles, "Today's Kidz" (February 1980) and "Top Secret" (August), were followed by their debut album, 'The Last Words' (December 1980). Although it contained a cover version of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and was produced by Adrian Sherwood; it did nothing to lift the band out of its relative obscurity. None of these recordings were released in Australia. The group disbanded with Baxter returning home. In 2021 Czech Republic label Papagájův Hlasatel Records released a compilation album.
Members
Malcolm Baxter (vocals), Andy Groome (guitar), Leigh Kendall (bass), Mick Smith (bass), Jeffrey Wegener (drums), John Gunn (drums), Ken Doyle (drums)
''Animal World / Wondering Why'' 1977 Remand Records
''Animal World / Every School Boys Dream'' 1978 Wizard
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Words_%28band%29
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