The music on the Beatfish CD was originally intended as a solo project for Martin Plaza, formerly of Australian new wave group Mental As Anything. After having some solo success, he wanted to pursue a different sound and enlisted James Freud, formerly of Models, also a successful Australian new wave group. After writing together they obviously decided two heads were better than one and christened themselves Beatfish. With production assistance from Robert Racic, best known for his work with industrial group Severed Heads, they created an album very much unlike anything their bands had recorded. The result was synth-pop with soul, with subtle house and techno edges. They released three singles - "All Around The World", "Wheels Of Love" and "Get Together" - to some success in Australia. (They, like previous postee Boogie Box High, also do a version of the Bee Gees' "Jive Talkin'".) But perhaps because the music was unexpected to fans of their former groups, the album failed to take off. The two went their separate ways, collaborating with others as well as pursuing solo careers. They would collaborate again in 1996 for Hawaiian influenced music under the name Moondog. Freud has pretty much retired from music, and released an autobiography in 2003. Plaza continues to pursue music, as well as art.Video for Wheels Of Love
Download Beatfish
| 1 | All Around The World | |
| 2 | Jive Talking | |
| 3 | Out Of Control | |
| 4 | Drop The Bomb | |
| 5 | New Day | |
| 6 | Love In Vain | |
| 7 | Wheels Of Love | |
| 8 | Whatchoolookinat | |
| 9 | Hula | |
| 10 | Son | |
| 11 | I Want To Be Bad |
I remember seeing the video for Wheels of Love on Earth to MTV (which showed other "international" acts Le Boyfriend and Mitsou. As always an amazing blog!
ReplyDeleteIve started a new one-check it out if you get a chance!
Wow! I'm amazed you are familiar with Beatfish. I figured they had only been released in Australia.
ReplyDeleteJames Freud passed away a couple of months ago....
ReplyDeleteGreat Album, Very Rare - Shame the link Is Dead
ReplyDeleteWOW, such a quick response. Thank-you a hundred times, your blog is great & your effort amazing.
ReplyDeletecan this one be reupped again? rare out of print 1991 release
ReplyDeleteIt's been reupped.
DeleteAny chance for a re-up on this one? Listened to it a lot back in college, would love to hear it again.
ReplyDeleteIt's been reupped.
DeleteAnother re-up would be great! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been reupped.
DeleteYup - I did the majority of the backing track for this (all synth/piano/bass work) and Robert did the drum programming and Sound effects edits - sad it didn't take off...to be honest I think this project was the kickstart of James deepening depression. When he came into the studio he was quite fresh and upbeat - a far cry from what he looked like before he died:(
ReplyDeleteThe other factor that trashed this was that at the time - aussie radio play-lister managers were reluctant to plug it coz the style was still rock/newwave on their agenda. I think James mentions this in his book - "the timing was too early".
The label should have focused on the euro/scand markets (in hindsight).
Also the big take away for me was - even though we used all the top pros and studios like the legendary CanAm studios which became the home of DeathRow Records(LA) and Sterling Sound(NY) - Kate Cebrano did some BV's....at $300K no expense was spared at RCA......market timing is 'everything' in this business.
Many artists don't realise this - if you don't optimise your ART to what the market is currently...you might as well stay busking:)
Another perfect case study is The Beach Boys - they claimed huge success with their short 'formula designed' hooky beach songs using session musicians (no band members) - then Brian Wilson wanted to explore a more serious creation called Pet Sounds. Their career took a dive because the market wasn't ready for serious art:)....even though it was probably their best album to date (my opinion at least).
Roger Waters (Amused to Death) too arty and another sad statistic....plus numerous others.