artists
Rod Boucher is a bit of a legend in Australia. Learning to play and compose during the Folk boom with ‘The Henchmen’, he moved onto Electric Rock in ‘Buffalo Drive’ who’s “Life’s been good to me” on Polydor climbed the Adelaide charts as they toured back and forth across Australia. Next came ‘one man’s band’, a mini rock’n’roll band, very Aussie and very portable for the City and Outback in schools, pubs, churches, festivals, TV and radio (Hey, Hey It’s Saturday, Willesse, JJJ) along with a Community house “Good*God” recording studio producing about 80 albums for local bands/groups/ songwriters, songbooks and TV spots.
In 1981 Gerry and his wife Jo relocated to Adelaide. For 7 years Gerry worked with Christian performers and songwriters such as Rod Boucher, Robin Mann, Kathy Pike, Leigh Newton and Stephen Daughtry. In 1984 he began writing children's songs and musicals, principally for the Uniting Church. Songs were included in the “GOD GIVES - Songs for Kids” series.
During the 1990’s Gerry and his family lived at “The House Of Prayer” in Goulburn, NSW and at the “Fusion Arts Colony” in Malmsbury, Victoria. These Christian communities were home base to many tours across Australia.
KINDEKRIST was formed at Scots Presbyterian Church in Adelaide, South Australia by Rev Rod Jepsen. He was a drummer and was joined by Scots members Andrea Findlay (later White) on organ & John Pryzibilla, sound & management. Robin & Dorothy Mann (vocals & guitar) & Brian Loffler (bass) were recruited from the Lutheran Church. Kindekrist was a folk-rock band that injected new sounds & songs into the life of the Australian church.
This musical trio wrote and played original songs in pubs and gatherings around Adelaide in 1986. They produced this never released album at Good*God Studio with Keith Ellison engineering and mixing.
Born out of the Adelaide Christian music scene and catering to wider audiences, the songs explored current issues and the quest for meaning. Not many “Do you think I'm sexy?” songs in the back catalogue.
Peter York’s interest in music grew from piano lessons in primary school then to picking up guitar in secondary school followed by years of song writing experimentation. After the Peter York Band (a 5 piece band) in the early 1970s and various other musical combinations, Peter performed solo for years mostly around Melbourne coffee houses, pubs, restaurants, churches and lounge rooms. Ten albums of his own songs were produced along the way which included many other talented musicians including, Duane Mitchell, Martin Zammit, Darryl Thompson, Steve Messer and others. Songwriting is still his thing.
PILGRIM FAMILIES were based in 5 different northern English towns, headed up by Paul and Helen Shogren, all members being very active in the local church, school and community. Paul, Rod Boucher and Andy Redman put together this songbook for community use together with David and Eden Turley, the Holmes family, the Bushfire families, the Cochrane-Igoe family, the Boucher family and ‘The Mansions’ families. Songs were created for evening Reflections, Musicals, Schools’ programmes, Church Festivals, Blessings and Farewells, all expressions of a full-time, fulfilling faith.
DANCING ON THE WIRE was an 1980’s electro-pop two-piece based in Adelaide, South Australia. Working with the "Schools Ministry Group" (SMG), DOTW played hundreds of shows to thousands of students, almost always to a very positive reception. The band also played at festivals and events, often associated with Fusion Australia. Gerry Holmes played synth and keyboard bass. Steve Daughtry played stand-up electronic drums and drum machine. DOTW was a portable and flexible duo.
FLOCK was a 5 piece folkrock band formed in 1972 and was part of "Truth and Liberation Concern" and GOD'S SQUAD Motorcycle Club in Melbourne, Victoria. Kevin Albrecht, Bill Younes, Dave Diprose, Kay Fitzgerald and Rod Vandersluys were part of the “Jesus People” movement that was sweeping the world at the time. Their music style and lyrics resonated with youth in the first half of the 1970’s. Many students also were able to hear FLOCK perform in schools accompanied by Christian presenters.
Samuel, Roberta, Bertie, Brenda, Gordon and Yvonne came from Ireland. A family posted for 20 pounds….. for the seeds of hate were germinating in 1958 and Arthur Calwell wanted more white Aussies. The Mullens who were hard working and skilful, were grateful for this beautiful and peaceful country of Australia, longing for this ‘home’ to be peaceful too.
Gordon was almost 50 before he released his first album HOLD ON in 1994.
The COMPANY OF SINNERS was established by Steve Daughtry in South Australia at the beginning of 1993. It was set up under the auspices of the "Heads of Churches State Schools Ministry Group" (SMG), which was responsible for Christian seminars and chaplaincy in state schools. For just over a decade, the company worked primarily as a Theatre-In-Education unit to help young people understand Christian views of God, faith and life.
NEW VOICE was an attempt to integrate a broad arc of life, faith and artistic endeavour. NV was not just a band but also lived as a travelling Christian community. Their songs reflected the influences from their two years on-the-road at the beginning of the 1990’s. Their first album “Justice Whispers” was recorded in 1991 followed by the “Hot & Bothered” studio album in 1992. NEW VOICE was Paul, Helen & Casey Shogren, Tony Pitman and Dani & David Mills.
Kathy began composing songs at the age of 16 and performed in bands around her hometown of Adelaide back in the 1970’s. She is still presenting her music in wineries, cafes, hotels and festivals. Kathy has taken the stage at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Albany Arts Festival and the Pittsburgh International Arts Festival U.S.A. Her music has been described as ‘raw and honest’ and her voice as ‘a blend of melodic beauty and emotional edginess’.
