The Reels | Artist

The Reels were an Australian new-wave group formed 1976 in Dubbo, New South Wales, by Dave Mason (vocals), Craig Hooper (guitar, keyboard), Colin Newham (keyboard, sax), John Bliss (drums) and Paul Abrahams (bass). Karen Ansel (keyboards) joined in 1980. Led by Dave Mason, the band evolved out of earlier bands Native Sons and The Brucelanders, which worked the country pub and club circuit, playing quirky ska-pop. In '79 they renamed themselves The Reels and released their first Single "Love Will Find a Way" which was picked up by radio. Their next single "Prefab Heart" won them a spot on Australian pop TV show Countdown. The group then undertook their "Reels By Rail" tour, using rail transport to destinations in the Australian eastern states. Their self-titled debut album established them as forerunners of the "minimal-synth" sound. The next album Quasimodo's Dream received good reviews and has become a cult classic, with the single "Quasimodo's Dream" being voted in the Top 10 Australian songs of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association. Their third album Beautiful is a wry "golden oldie" parody which was licensed to the budget label K-tel for sale in supermarket etc. It proved to be their biggest success, achieving gold record status. Dave Mason, who suffers from bipolar disorder, released a solo album in 2007, he also co-starred alongside Nick Cave in the acclaimed 1989 Australian feature film Ghosts of the Civil Dead.

Artist Website: web.archive.org/thereels.info

Featured Albums: The Reels

Related Artists: Dave Mason (Aus), Mondo Rock, The Church