P76

P76 formed after the demise of Melbourne-based Jerihco in April 1998, as singer Danny McDonald continued to create power pop at its finest. Initially including McDonald along with Bill Downie and Shane Samson (ex-Bird Tribe), the group became primarily McDonald's band with a revolving lineup. After three months, P76 performed regularly around Melbourne with Knievel and Augie March, among others. Samson was replaced by Geoff Barnes and over a year after its recording, the band's debut EP, 'Life in General', was released in 1999. Recorded by legendary producer Wayne Connolly (You Am I, Custard, The Vines) it quickly sold out of its first and only pressing. At the same time, McDonald left the group on the back burner while joining Oscarlima, who acted as openers for Lit. After touring ended, McDonald concentrated fully on P76. The debut EP received rave reviews on college airplay as well as from respected music magazines. 

Bill Downie was replaced by Tim Mills and in 2000, the band signed to USA based label Zip Records and released the 'Sunliner' EP. In July 2001, P76 returned to the studio for a quick recording of its debut full-length release, 'Into the Sun' produced by The Stems Dom Mariani. The album was reviewed in Rolling Stone and made several Top Ten lists going on to sell strongly with licensing deals in the USA, Japan, Brazil and Sweden. In April 2002, the album's first single, "Sleeping In," was released. The band returned to the road for most of 2002 but disbanded in the same year. The band reconvened in 2013 for two Victorian shows and again in 2017 with a Victorian tour and their first recorded output in 16 years with the single ''Postcard From Bondi''. A year later they released ''Northern Gaze''.

Members

Danny McDonald (vocals, guitar), Geoff Barnes (drums), Bill Downie (bass), Shane Samson (drums), Tim Mills (bass)

References

Jason MacNeil