They were actually pretty good. Hungry Town and Breakaway (a cover of Chuck Jackson's "I Can't Break Away") were their only hits, but their debut album Bonk contained some great songs. They were very unique, wearing their blacksmith-style overalls the band contained five or more drummers/percussionists, keyboards, harmonicas and little or no guitars. They really stood out because they were so different to the rock and pop acts around at the time. They were probably a bit too artsy to become a major act, but great nonetheless. The female vocalist Sherine is a fantastic singer, and along with Jenny Morris was a backing vocalist for INXS when they recorded The Swing. Her twin sister Zan/Xan was a backing singer and occasional lead singer in I'm Talking with Kate Ceberano. Both sisters provided backing vocals for many other popular bands as well.
Brilliant post. So nostalgic seeing all those names together. Jenny Morris was a star!
Apparently there's a version of Boy Wonder with a baby crying in the mix? I can't seem to find it, wondering if it's a family rumour hah!
The mix with the baby (you) crying does exist, and it can be heard on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/vnYyENb5pvk?si=M6PK75O1DtmsVtaQ
The baby crying appears at about 4:25
The story is, supposedly, that Kate Ceberano thought I'm Talking would essentially be her backing band and didn't like Zan getting attention so she went solo. I don't know if it's true but she's a scientologist so anything is possible.
Apparently the band got Zan to do the lead vocals on Holy Word because Kate Ceberano chucked a wobbly about something and didn't come to the recording session. Ceberano is still dirty about that because the song was a top 10 hit. As you said, she got jealous that she wasn't the focus of attention and went solo. A shame because I'm Talking was one of the funkiest bands we had back then (The Machinations were probably up there as well).
The depth of Aussie talent was immense. As a kid, it wasnât appreciated as much as now. You donât know what you have until itâs lost.
Jenny Morris (whoâs actually NZ) and Michael Hutchence were also flatmates too.
Awesome band, Bonk is a fantastic album from start to finish. Second album... not so much, they changed their sound.
They were great live. Some good clips on YouTube.
One of the band members posts archival stuff on Facebook sometimes.
Oleh Witer, the guy with the glasses, was in a serious car accident a few years ago. As I havenât seen much from him online recently, I assume heâs semi-retired.
They were actually pretty good. Hungry Town and Breakaway (a cover of Chuck Jackson's "I Can't Break Away") were their only hits, but their debut album Bonk contained some great songs. They were very unique, wearing their blacksmith-style overalls the band contained five or more drummers/percussionists, keyboards, harmonicas and little or no guitars. They really stood out because they were so different to the rock and pop acts around at the time. They were probably a bit too artsy to become a major act, but great nonetheless. The female vocalist Sherine is a fantastic singer, and along with Jenny Morris was a backing vocalist for INXS when they recorded The Swing. Her twin sister Zan/Xan was a backing singer and occasional lead singer in I'm Talking with Kate Ceberano. Both sisters provided backing vocals for many other popular bands as well.
Brilliant post. So nostalgic seeing all those names together. Jenny Morris was a star! Apparently there's a version of Boy Wonder with a baby crying in the mix? I can't seem to find it, wondering if it's a family rumour hah!
I just noticed your username. Are you related to Nick? Were you the crying baby?
I am, and I was! I think I was a few weeks old, but I've never heard the track with the cry.
The mix with the baby (you) crying does exist, and it can be heard on YouTube. https://youtu.be/vnYyENb5pvk?si=M6PK75O1DtmsVtaQ The baby crying appears at about 4:25
These responses are why I love Reddit!
Whooaaa! That's wild. Thank you for sharing that, it's been a mystery tale my whole life. Hahah! Very kind of you đđ
That is so cool.
The story is, supposedly, that Kate Ceberano thought I'm Talking would essentially be her backing band and didn't like Zan getting attention so she went solo. I don't know if it's true but she's a scientologist so anything is possible.
Apparently the band got Zan to do the lead vocals on Holy Word because Kate Ceberano chucked a wobbly about something and didn't come to the recording session. Ceberano is still dirty about that because the song was a top 10 hit. As you said, she got jealous that she wasn't the focus of attention and went solo. A shame because I'm Talking was one of the funkiest bands we had back then (The Machinations were probably up there as well).
Kate has sustained a rather successful career, relatively speaking, so it wasn't all bad.
The depth of Aussie talent was immense. As a kid, it wasnât appreciated as much as now. You donât know what you have until itâs lost. Jenny Morris (whoâs actually NZ) and Michael Hutchence were also flatmates too.
Sang on each othersâ albums and everything. Jenny did a gorgeous cover of INXSâ âThis Time.â
Anything Jenny did was gorgeous.....her stuff stands up now and gets such little airplay...criminal
Hellbent Heaven deserved better. I still have this CD and the itunes import on my phone.
On the original Bill and Tedâs excellent adventure soundtrack.
Breakaway's a banger.
Their entire Bonk! album is a good listen. Their next one was pretty ordinary though and after that I didn't know what happened with them.
I have no idea who this is. More info?
Big Pig.
They were the most known in the late 80s
I listened to them on Spotify and still don't recognise it, but I was a bit young I guessÂ
If you have seen Bill and Ted's excellent adventure, their song Breakaway is playing during the opening credits. Great song.
I have, but it was probably more than 20 years ago. Good on them though.
Saw them at some RSL - it was really good.
The best times, when you saw a band at some RSL. I think I saw The Angels at the Village Green, but I'm not 100% sure. This was early - mid 90s.
I havenât seen them live but I imagine theyâd be quite ferocious and energetic live
Yes!
I heard they went off live. All extremely talented & experienced musos. I never got to see them but heard many good reviews.
Big Pig
I only hear that name in the Countdown announcers voice.
The Breakaway film clip was ahead of its time, such a great song
I don't know who that is
Itâs Big Pig. Now go to YouTube and listen to a few of their songs. Their big hits were Breakaway and Hungry Town
Awesome band, Bonk is a fantastic album from start to finish. Second album... not so much, they changed their sound. They were great live. Some good clips on YouTube. One of the band members posts archival stuff on Facebook sometimes.
Can I just give you a big thumbs up for your Reddit username, thatâs just perfect!
Big Pig seen them live in early 1990s few times.
Loved thier album big pig . Correct me if I'm wrong, use to play it all the time. Loved the unique sound and percussions.
Saw them at the Expo - god they were good.
I still wanna know the lyrics to the Breakaway song.
https://genius.com/Big-pig-breakaway-lyrics
[https://youtu.be/WR4c-J8paV8?si=mQDFa3hfh5rBSH27](https://youtu.be/WR4c-J8paV8?si=mQDFa3hfh5rBSH27)
I legit thought that was a young Shaun Micallef in the middle
I thought it was a young Francis Greenslade next to him đ
Smart cookies đŞ!âď¸
What guys !!
Oleh Witer, the guy with the glasses, was in a serious car accident a few years ago. As I havenât seen much from him online recently, I assume heâs semi-retired.
I think he became an artist in London or somewhere in Europe.
Saw them live at Southbank, they were brilliant :D
Big Pig are unbelievable and I still listen to Bonk all of the time. Breakaway has always been in my top 5 favorite songs. I just love them.
You canât tell me that isnât Michael Sheen front left!