Seven Stories (band)
Encyclopedia
Seven Stories was an Australian rock
group formed in Adelaide
, initially as Tall Stories, in 1986. The band was nominated as 'Best New Talent' at the 1991 Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Awards and signed to Sony
(then CBS Records), but disbanded in 1994 after its second full-length album release, Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need).
In 1978 Tanner contributed drums
and vocals to various Good God recordings, later moving to guitar
in the band Retreads which produced a self-titled album in 1980. Boundy played bass guitar
for bands, Thumbs Up and Retreads (with Tanner) before joining Perfect Strangers in 1980. In 1984 Tanner composed "Dreams and Visions", which became a banner song for the 1985 Uniting Church
National Christian Youth Convention
in Adelaide in 1985. "Dreams and Visions", a song about Pentecost
, is still used by Australian congregations.
Tanner, Boundy and Oliver teamed with drummer Jeff Algra and keyboard/French horn player Glyn Lehmann to form Tall Stories, in Adelaide in 1986. Their first major recording was a self-produced, self-distributed 12" mini LP Sleeping Through Another War, released in 1987.
Gaining commercial airplay, a major breakthrough came with the signing of the band by Sony
(then CBS Records
) to a five-year deal. Around that time the band changed its name to Seven Stories, to avoid confusion with US band Tall Stories. The deal with Sony led to the critically acclaimed Judges and Bagmen album in 1990. Rolling Stones
review in 1991 stated "it is the music which makes Judges and Bagmen such a compelling album" The band was assisted in the recording by musicians such as Vika and Linda Bull
and Broderick Smith
. Seven Stories was nominated for the 1991 ARIA Awards in the 'Best New Artist' category. "Sleeping through Another War" and "Walk through Babylon" were released by CBS as singles off the album. The band toured extensively throughout Australia supporting artists such as Midnight Oil
, INXS
, The Black Sorrows
, Hothouse Flowers
, Hunters and Collectors and Paul Kelly
.
High-profile producers T-Bone Burnett
and Boom Crash Opera's
Richard Pleasance
were engaged by Sony for Seven Stories' 1993 recording Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need), which spawned the single "Is that It?'" Although he contributed to the album, Lehmann had officially left the band by the time of its release, leaving Tanner, Boundy and Algra as the remaining core. The band toured Europe and North America on the strength of the album release. Guitarist David Carr, engaged to augment the band for this recording, relates the band's sudden abandonment by Sony: "We toured that album very successfully, recorded a JJJ Live at the Wireless
and had a string of singles before the whole of Sony was instructed to "drop everything" and divert all energy to making Mariah Carey
number one." Seven Stories subsequently disbanded in 1994.
Andrew Tanner worked in Melbourne
as a writer and is a member of the psychedelic
-styled band The Sand Pebbles
. Boundy, Algra and Lehmann all returned to Adelaide and remained active musically. Drummer Algra played and recorded with a large number of artists including, T-Bone Burnett
, The Waifs
, The Borderers (with Glyn Lehmann), Jeanette Wormald, Jim Hermel, Andrew Clermont, Liam Gurner, and Jet O’Rourke.
Lehmann has had a musical career as composer, songwriter, arranger, performer and music producer. He has created original music, songs and soundtracks for Australian Broadcasting Corporation
television and radio, and the feature-length documentary I Told You I Was Ill – The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan
. He has also worked with the State Theatre Company of South Australia
and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
.
Boundy has played with Adelaide bands, Verandah and Vivid and currently plays with Lehmann in the band, Sun Theory.
mini LPs:
LPs:
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group formed in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, initially as Tall Stories, in 1986. The band was nominated as 'Best New Talent' at the 1991 Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Awards and signed to Sony
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
(then CBS Records), but disbanded in 1994 after its second full-length album release, Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need).
History
Andrew Tanner, Michael Boundy and Sue Oliver were prominent in Christian music circles in Adelaide from the late 1970s. During this period they all contributed to Christian recordings at the Good God recording studio run by Rod Boucher and Chris Adams.In 1978 Tanner contributed drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and vocals to various Good God recordings, later moving to guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
in the band Retreads which produced a self-titled album in 1980. Boundy played bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
for bands, Thumbs Up and Retreads (with Tanner) before joining Perfect Strangers in 1980. In 1984 Tanner composed "Dreams and Visions", which became a banner song for the 1985 Uniting Church
Uniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia was formed on 22 June 1977 when many congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union....
National Christian Youth Convention
National Christian Youth Convention
The National Christian Youth Convention is a national week long conference for people aged 16-30 years held by the Uniting Church in Australia every second January. It is held in a different Australian city each time in the long summer school and university holidays. It attracts over 1,500...
in Adelaide in 1985. "Dreams and Visions", a song about Pentecost
Pentecost
Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus...
, is still used by Australian congregations.
Tanner, Boundy and Oliver teamed with drummer Jeff Algra and keyboard/French horn player Glyn Lehmann to form Tall Stories, in Adelaide in 1986. Their first major recording was a self-produced, self-distributed 12" mini LP Sleeping Through Another War, released in 1987.
Gaining commercial airplay, a major breakthrough came with the signing of the band by Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
(then CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
) to a five-year deal. Around that time the band changed its name to Seven Stories, to avoid confusion with US band Tall Stories. The deal with Sony led to the critically acclaimed Judges and Bagmen album in 1990. Rolling Stones
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
review in 1991 stated "it is the music which makes Judges and Bagmen such a compelling album" The band was assisted in the recording by musicians such as Vika and Linda Bull
Vika and Linda
Vika and Linda Bull are a sister vocal duo who came to prominence after being asked to sing backing vocals in Joe Camilleri's band The Black Sorrows.-Biography:...
and Broderick Smith
Broderick Smith
Broderick Smith aka Brod Smith is an Australian singer-songwriter, harmonica, guitar and banjo player. He was a member of 1970s bands Carson and The Dingoes, 1980s Broderick Smith's Big Combo and performed solo...
. Seven Stories was nominated for the 1991 ARIA Awards in the 'Best New Artist' category. "Sleeping through Another War" and "Walk through Babylon" were released by CBS as singles off the album. The band toured extensively throughout Australia supporting artists such as Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil , were an Australian rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie...
, INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
, The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows are an Australian band founded by Joe Camilleri, the group's only constant member. Founded in 1983, The Black Sorrows are still active today, and are best remembered for their top 40 Australian hits of the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "Hold On To Me", "Chained To The...
, Hothouse Flowers
Hothouse Flowers
The Hothouse Flowers are an Irish rock group that combines traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock.-Career:The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin,Ireland as "The...
, Hunters and Collectors and Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
.
High-profile producers T-Bone Burnett
T-Bone Burnett
Joseph Henry Burnett , widely known as T-Bone Burnett, is an American musician, songwriter, and soundtrack and record producer.He was a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band on the Rolling Thunder Revue...
and Boom Crash Opera's
Boom Crash Opera
Boom Crash Opera are a pop-rock band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1985. Initially based around the songwriting partnership of Richard Pleasance and Peter Farnan Boom Crash Opera also includes Dale Ryder , Peter 'Maz' Maslen , Greg O'Connor and Ian Tilley Boom Crash Opera are a pop-rock band...
Richard Pleasance
Richard Pleasance
Richard Arnold Pleasance is an Australian rock musician and producer. He was a founding member of Boom Crash Opera on guitar, bass guitar, vocals and as a songwriter in 1985; they released three albums before Pleasance left in 1992...
were engaged by Sony for Seven Stories' 1993 recording Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need), which spawned the single "Is that It?'" Although he contributed to the album, Lehmann had officially left the band by the time of its release, leaving Tanner, Boundy and Algra as the remaining core. The band toured Europe and North America on the strength of the album release. Guitarist David Carr, engaged to augment the band for this recording, relates the band's sudden abandonment by Sony: "We toured that album very successfully, recorded a JJJ Live at the Wireless
Live at the Wireless
Live at the Wireless is a radio show, and now a long standing tradition, of Triple J, an Australian radio station. Live music is one of the central philosophies of the station....
and had a string of singles before the whole of Sony was instructed to "drop everything" and divert all energy to making Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
number one." Seven Stories subsequently disbanded in 1994.
Andrew Tanner worked in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
as a writer and is a member of the psychedelic
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
-styled band The Sand Pebbles
The Sand Pebbles (band)
Sand Pebbles is a psychedelic rock band from Melbourne, Australia.-History:Formed on Bastille Day, 2001 on the set of Neighbours by three of the show’s screenwriter's Christopher Hollow , Ben Michael and Piet Collins . Singer-guitarist Andrew Tanner joined shortly after.In 2003, Murray Ono was...
. Boundy, Algra and Lehmann all returned to Adelaide and remained active musically. Drummer Algra played and recorded with a large number of artists including, T-Bone Burnett
T-Bone Burnett
Joseph Henry Burnett , widely known as T-Bone Burnett, is an American musician, songwriter, and soundtrack and record producer.He was a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band on the Rolling Thunder Revue...
, The Waifs
The Waifs
The Waifs are an Australian folk rock band formed in 1992 by Josh Cunningham , and sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson...
, The Borderers (with Glyn Lehmann), Jeanette Wormald, Jim Hermel, Andrew Clermont, Liam Gurner, and Jet O’Rourke.
Lehmann has had a musical career as composer, songwriter, arranger, performer and music producer. He has created original music, songs and soundtracks for Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
television and radio, and the feature-length documentary I Told You I Was Ill – The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan
Spike Milligan
Terence Alan Patrick Seán "Spike" Milligan Hon. KBE was a comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright, soldier and actor. His early life was spent in India, where he was born, but the majority of his working life was spent in the United Kingdom. He became an Irish citizen in 1962 after the...
. He has also worked with the State Theatre Company of South Australia
State Theatre Company of South Australia
The State Theatre Company of South Australia is South Australia's leading professional theatre company. It is based in the Dunstan Playhouse at the Adelaide Festival Centre. The current artistic director is Adam Cook...
and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra was founded as a 17 player radio ensemble in 1936, in Adelaide, South Australia. The orchestra reformed in 1949 as the 55 member South Australian Symphony Orchestra. It reverted to its original and present title, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in late 1974, and...
.
Boundy has played with Adelaide bands, Verandah and Vivid and currently plays with Lehmann in the band, Sun Theory.
Members
- Andrew Tanner — guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Glyn Lehmann — keyboards, backing vocals
- Michael Boundy — bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Jeff Algra — drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, backing vocals - Sue Oliver — percussion, vocals (1986–1987)
Discography
Singles- "Introducing Seven Stories": "Sleeping through Another War", "These Bones" and "Paralysed" (1990, CD single, Columbia)
- "Sleeping through Another War" / "These Bones" (1990, 7-inch single, Columbia)
- "Walk through Babylon" / "Harbour me" (1991, 7-inch single, Columbia)
- "Is that It?" / "First of its Kind" / "Drifting" (1993, Columbia)
mini LPs:
- Sleeping Through Another War (1987, 12" Mini LP, self-produced and distributed)
- Prince of Hollywood EP "Prince of Hollywood (single edit version)" / "Right on Time" / "Know Your Enemy" / "Your Time" / }Prince of Hollywood (full version)" (1993, Columbia)
LPs:
- Judges and Bagmen (1990, Columbia) — produced by Kevin Moloney
- Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need) (1993, Columbia) — produced by Richard Pleasance, T-Bone Burnett