Models

Models were an alternative rock group from Melbourne, Australia, formed in August 1978. Although often referred to as "The Models", the group's correct title was simply "Models".

In 1978, Melbournians Sean Kelly and Pierre Voltaire - ex-Teenage Radio Stars - hooked up with Ash Wednesday and Janis Friedenfelds and called themselves Models. Voltaire and Ash Wednesday didn't hang around for long and were replaced by Mark Ferrie and Andrew Duffield respectively.

1981 saw a contract signed with Mushroom records and the band went to England to record the album Local And Or General which reached No.32 on the national chart. Just before leaving for the UK the band had recorded some demos with producer Tony Cohen. Mushroom released them as the 10 inch mini album Cut Lunch. It featured the poppy 'Two Cabs To The Toucan'.

James Freud joined in 1982 as did Barton Price on drums and they released the single 'On', produced by Lobby Lloyd. They also made a film called 'Pop Movie' which was shown at a few cinemas and on TV. In 1983 'The Pleasure Of Your Company' along with the single 'I Hear Motion' was released and was highly successful commercially. They scored the exciting support slot for David Bowie's Serious Moonlight tour of Australia.

In 1984 Andrew Duffield had a controversial departure and Roger Mason replaced him. The band almost broke up over musical differences and relocated to Sydney.

James Valentine joined the band. Models joined MMA management with Chris Murphy who was also INXS' manager. They achieved 'top ten' success in February with the single 'Barbados' from the Out Of Mind Out Of Sight album. The song was written by Duffield and sung by Freud. 'Barbados' is actually a miserable tale about drinking and Garry Gary Beers from INXS can be seen in the background of the video clip.

In July 1985 the single 'Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight', written by James Freud, was released and went to No.1 on the charts. The album went on to sell 120,000 copies. In the same month, Models went on a national tour with I'm Talking and were also involved with The Royal Variety Performance for Prince Charles and Princess Diana - 'Rocking the Royals'. In December they released 'King Of Kings', a song which contains portions of the famous speech spoken by Martin Luther King.

In June 1986 'Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight' reached number No.36 on the US charts. In December 1986 and January 1987, Models embarked on a massive tour around Australia called 'Australian Made'. They toured with other bands such as INXS, Divinyls, Jimmy Barnes and Mental As Anything.

In 1988 the group broke up after ten years.

In 2000 there was a reformation for the Models - 'Tour 2000' for shows in Sydney and Melbourne
From http://www.abc.net.au/longway/