Models | Artist

Models are an Australian post-punk group formed 1978 in Melbourne by founders Sean Kelly (guitar, clarinet, vocals), Ash Wednesday (keyboards), Peter Sutcliffe (bass) and Janis Friedenfelds (drums). Within 12 months, Sutcliffe was replaced on bass by Mark Ferrie and Wednesday was replaced by keyboardist Andrew Duffield, formerly of Whirlywirld. In 1982 James Freud joined on bass and vocals, and Saxophonist James Valentine joined in 1984. Sean Kelly and James Freud were school friends who in 1977 formed their first band called Spread, which was soon renamed Teenage Radio Stars. Models played a blend of post-punk / new-wave and were ahead of their time in the Australian scene where they developed cult status. Their first recordings came about when ex-Easybeats members, Harry Vanda and George Young, who were now record producers and songwriters, offered to cut some demos for them which were released on independent labels. The band then performed extensively around Melbourne and interstate, supporting the Ramones, B-52's, The Vapors and Midnight Oil on Australian national tours. Rather than locking-in to a contract, the group financed the recording of their first album to guarantee creative control. In November 1980, the Duffield, Ferrie, Friedenfelds and Kelly line-up released Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf. They then signed to Mushroom Records and in 1981, following a support slot for The Police, signed an international deal with A&M Records. In total, the band released five studio albums which were critically hailed but enjoyed modest commercial success. Their first three releases represent their creative peak and come highly recommended: Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf (1980), Local and/or General (1981) and The Pleasure of Your Company (1983). Also of interest is the 2001 archival release Melbourne, and the excellent 1981 EP Cut Lunch. In latter years the band became a loose collective, reforming periodically for short tours, with the principal members working on side projects. Sean Kelly and singer Wendy Matthews formed Absent Friends in early 1989 which included ex-Models members Duffield, Mason and Valentine. With Matthews on lead vocals their 1990 single, "I Don’t Want to Be with Nobody but You" was successful as was the associated album, Here's Looking Up Your Address. Absent Friends disbanded in 1991 and Kelly fronted The Dukes from 1991-94. Duffield wrote music for the Australian children's TV series, Round the Twist and in 2007 composed the music and sound effects for the TV comedy Kick. Duffield teamed up with Phil Kennihan to found a successful advertising music partnership. Mason has composed soundtracks for many feature films and television series both locally and internationally. Valentine later worked in children's TV, is a popular radio host in Sydney and published a successful series of children's books. Price returned to NZ after stints with various Australian bands, and the world's first drum sample CD. Wednesday formed Crashland and plays with German band Einstürzende Neubauten. James Freud wrote two memoirs, I Am The Voice Left From Drinking (2002) and I Am The Voice Left From Rehab (2007); the titles are both taken from the song "Barbados" and allude to his addiction with drugs and alcohol, and his subsequent recovery attempts. Freud was found dead at his home on 4 November 2010 in a suspected suicide.

Artist Website: facebook/models.band

Featured Albums: Models

Related Artists: Teenage Radio Stars, Sean Kelly, James Freud, Sacred Cowboys, Absent Friends, Beatfish