I miss so much to release records, to do label stuff, be in touch with bands. Sadly this seems like a dream now. Is anyone buying records still? Who is paying $40 for an LP? I feel the good old days are gone. One of my dream projects was to do a compilation of Australian indiepop bands from the late 80s, early 90s and when I discover a band that could have fitted the bill I just have this sense of excitement mixed with impotence that is hard to describe.
Batswing Saloon was a late 80s band from Brisbane, Australia. They released just one record, in 1988, a 7″ single titled “Harold and Maude”.
The record included the title song “Harold and Maude” on the A side and “Split Level World” on the B side. It came out on Cosmic Records (BSW01) which probably was the band’s own label. The band’s logo is on the front sleeve, a logo taken from Batman clearly. On the back of the sleeve a band photo with some information about themselves. This sleeve was designed by Michelle.
So we learn the band was formed by Jenny May on bass, Sue Holman on drums, Leanne Holman and Michelle Bowden on guitar and Liza McDonald on vocals. The band co-produced the record with Ian Wadley who had been in many bands including Dragster or Small World Experience. The single was recorded on a 4-track at the band’s practice room in the old Target building in Fortitude Valley.
One thing that does surprises one is that the band was all female. We know that some of the girls had been involved in bands like Michelle Bowden was afterwards on Chopper Division, Gravelrash, The Worm Turns and Koko Uzi or Sue Holman who also played in Cut.
The Brisbane Music Graveyard Bandcamp account has uploaded the two tracks of the single. Here there is more information about them. We learn that the band was formed in 1986 and it mentions that the single sold well in Sydney, Melbourne, London, Germany and New York. The title song reached number 12 on the 4ZZZ Hot 100 radio programme, and the band was voted the 4th best new independent band in the RAM readers poll in 1988.
It seems that originally the vocalist was Anne Deller but she left in 1987 and that’s when Liza joined.
About gigs we see that the band played especially around Brisbane and South East Queensland where they supported Hunters and Collectors, TISM and the Hoodoo Gurus.
The band would split up in 1990.
Then I find a Soundcloud account for Sue Mikkelsen. Could it be Sue Holman? Maybe married name? Here there is the single too. But there is another little treasure, a beautiful Batswing Saloon song called “Secret Mile”. Wonder where that one came from? A demo? An outtake from the single recordings? Or a future single that never happened?
I continue searching. I find a post on a blog called Striped Sunlight dating from 2011. Here I look at the comments sections. I learn that the band played at the Brisbane Uni Rec Club in 1988. Someone also mentions that he has a live video of the band. I wonder if it made it to Youtube… don’t think so.
The only other thing worth knowing is that their song “Harold and Maude” appeared on the compilation “Behind the Banana Curtain 1975-2000” that was released as a double CD by Valve Records and East West in 2000. In this comp they appear alongside so many important Aussie bands including the Go-Betweens, The Apartments and more.
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