Outline evolved out of funk band Casablanca in around 1978 with Jenny Watson on lead vocals, drummer John Marks, Harry Ladomatos on bass, percussionist Mark Madden, guitarist John Sammers, Alex Lakajev on keyboards, trombonist Mick Mead and trumpeter Phil Rigger. According to the band's Facebook page ''Outline entered the 2JJ band competition in 1978. The heat, we played funk covers…..the semi final - funk covers….the Grand Final - Rock-a-rama - a history of Rock n Roll in 15 minutes complete with makeup, blood capsules and a very Zappa-esque stage set and we won''.
Managed by future INXS manager Gary Grant, Outline had an 18-month residency at the Bayview Tavern in Gladesville, Sydney packing out the venue every Friday and Saturday night. Eventually Jenny Watson, John Marks, Harry Ladomatas and Mark Madden quit the band and they became a six piece with Dale Ryan joining on drums, Jeff Barrett on bass and Phil Rigger assuming lead vocal duties. They became a five piece when Mick Mead had a serious motorcycle accident. In 1980 they would enter the recording studio and cut their first single ''Cities''. Produced by Peter Dawkins for the CBS label the single charted nationally at #82 and they gained an appearance on the TV music show Countdown. The band would release more singles, an album, 'Maybe It's A Game' and the seminal urban anthem ''The Cicada (That Ate Five Dock)'', which was voted as one of Triple J’s All Time Hottest 100 songs. Outline would continue to pack out pubs until they disbanded in 1982. Alex Lakajev died in 2012.
Members
Jenny Watson (vocals), Phil Rigger (vocals/trumpet), John Marks (drums), Harry Ladomatos (bass), Mark Madden (percussion),John Sammers (guitar), Alex Lakajev (keyboards), Mick Mead (trombone), Mark Azzopardi (drums), Jeff Barrett (bass), Doug Coster (keyboards), Scott Johnson (drums), Dale Ryan (drums)
''Cities (#82) / Look Inside Yourself'' 1980 CBS
''How Can I Get Out? / Sleep'' 1981 Powderworks
''The Cicada (That Ate Five Dock) / Power And Control'' 1981 Powderworks
''Maybe It's A Game / Body Race'' 1982 Powderworks
''Stay With Me / She's Welcome'' 1982 Powderworks
'EE-EE-EE-EE-EP' 1981 Powderworks
ALBUMS
'Maybe It's A Game' 1982 Powderworks
References
https://www.top100singles.net/
https://www.top100singles.net/
Bough a copy of the "Outline" 45 for about $1 at a second-hand record store in Pitt St, Sydney in the mid-1980's.
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