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The Stems
1983-1987, 2003-2009, 2013+
The Stems, formed in late 1983 with members including Dom Mariani, Gary Chambers, Richard Lane, and Julian Matthews, gained popularity in the Australian music scene with their power pop sound influenced by Mariani's 1960s pop/R&B/garage band style. Their debut gig in March 1984 marked the beginning of a successful journey, and they developed a significant local following. The band's first single, "Make You Mine/ She’s a Monster," written by Mariani, topped independent charts and became the second-highest selling independent single in Australia for 1985.
​The Stems continued their success with subsequent singles, including "Tears Me in Two" and the EP "Love Will Grow." In 1986, David Shaw replaced Gary Chambers on drums, and the band toured extensively in Australia. They signed with Mushroom Records' White Records label and released their debut studio album, "At First Sight, Violets Are Blue," in May 1987, which became the third-highest selling independent album in Australia that year.
Despite their success, The Stems played their last gig on August 31, 1987, and a planned European tour in October of the same year was canceled, leading to the band's disbandment.
​The band reunited in February 1997, to perform a reunion show in their beloved hometown of Perth. A 6 year hiatus followed until they returned to the live scene in 2003 touring Australia, Europe (2004) and the USA (2005) which included appearance at “THE UNDERGROUND GARAGE FESTIVAL” at the invitation of Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist Little Steven where they would share the stage with The Stooges, Bo Diddley, Big Star, The New York Dolls, Nancy Sinatra..., and 60’s underground bands The Chocolate Watchband, The Pretty Things, The Creation and the Electric Prunes who were all an influence on their sound in their early days.
In 2006 the band made plans to record an album of new material ultimately titled HEADS UP – released on Shock Records in late 2007. Recorded in Perth and mixed in Cincinnati by producer John Curley (White Stripes, Afghan Wigs, Greenhornes and Ronnie Spector) the album was released to rave reviews and sold solidly around the world.
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On the release of HEADS UP in late 2007 THE STEMS were invited on the “CLASH OF THE TITANS” tour with Radio Birdman and the Hoodoo Gurus as well as successful tours of Australia, Europe, Japan and Austin Texas’s “SOUTH BY SOUTH WEST” Festival soon followed until they disbanded once again in 2009.
A new line-up in 2013 that included Ashley Naylor (Even/The Church/Paul Kelly) on guitar and vocals replacing keyboardist Richard Lane reemerged to play selective shows including, supports for the SUNNYBOYS and the “DIG IT UP” Festival.
In 2017 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of their classic debut album “At First Sight Violets are Blue” original members Dom Mariani, Julian Matthews and Dave Shaw were joined by Ashley Naylor (Even/ Paul Kelly) and Davey Lane (You Am I) undertook an Australian tour to perform the album in full.
Following on from the very successful “At First Sight Violets are Blue” tour the band hit the road again in the early part of 2018 for more Australian shows and a successful European tour playing to packed audiences in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. In the later part of 2019, the band reissued their second album “HEADS UP” and toured the east coast with RADIO BIRDMAN. This was followed by another successful European tour.
“MUSHROOM SOUP” (a definitive collection of their early work) and Heads Up were both reissued on vinyl on Cheersquad Records in 2024 ahead of a 40th anniversary tour of Australia, Spain and Italy. To coincide and celebrate the tour, a live album recorded during their 30th anniversary “At First Sight Violets are Blue” tour titled ‘The Stems Official Live Recoding’ a new single “Falling from the Sky’ was recorded and released on Cheersquad Records.
The Stems
New 2024 Single
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As part of their 40th anniversary tour, legendary Western Australian band The Stems have released a new single.
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“Falling from the Sky’ is the band’s first recording since their 2007 album ‘Heads Up’. Recorded at Revolver Studios and mixed at Pet Rock studios in Perth and features original members Dom Mariani, Julian Matthews, Dave Shaw and current guitarist Ashley Naylor (Even, The Church, Paul Kelly).
The killer groove and throb of the drums and bass, the wild fuzz tone, distinctive vocals, tight harmonies and above all - the infectious melodies,..they are all there and all intact.
Dom – "I’d written the song about 5 years ago and had always envisaged the Stems doing it if we ever had the opportunity to record it. Lyrically, it’s a commentary on how attitudes change as one gets older and a little more cynical about things with the hope of love as the redeeming theme in the choruses. Dave and I initially tracked the song with Dave suggesting the groove and fuzz tone idea. It worked great and we sent it across to Jules to add his distinctive bass and backing vocals. Having Ash Naylor be a part of the recording was also essential. His backing vocals and guitar added the cherry on top".
‘Falling from the Sky’ shows that The Stems in 2024 have lost none of the potency that have made them the best and most virtuous garage band in the land is now available on all streaming platforms and limited edition vinyl through Cheersquad Records and FOLC records in Spain.
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The Stems Official Live Recording
Legendary Western Australian band The Stems turn 40 and are celebrating with the release of an official live album. Having forged a reputation for their electrifying and powerful live shows throughout Australia and Europe, The Stems live shows have long been a favourite among boot-leggers, with many unofficial live recordings surfacing over the years. To coincide with their 40th anniversary tour, The Stems' ‘Official Live Recording’ is now being made available through Cheersquad Records and FOLC records in Spain.
On November 11, 2017, during the 3rd of a highly successful 6 show national tour, celebrating the 30th anniversary since the release of their debut album, ‘At First Sight, Violets are Blue’. Original members Dom Mariani, Julian Matthews and Dave Shaw, bolstered by Ashley Naylor (Even, Paul Kelly, The Church) and Davey Lane (You Am I) took to the stage at the legendary Gov Hotel in Adelaide for what was to be a scintillating live set, that unbeknown to the band was being recorded.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Enter Vic Conrad, leader of Adelaide band The Garden Path, one of the supports for the show. Vic’s connection to The Stems goes way back to the 1980s when the band slept on his floor one early tour! Vic had arranged for a multitrack recording of his own band that evening. With the tour done and dusted and a few months later, Vic contacted Dom, to tell him that he had a multi-track recording of The Stems' performance from that concert also. Vic generously sent the recording to Dom, who then promptly forgot about it... until a recent conversation with Julian ignited the idea of a live album. Unsure of what it sounded like, they decided to check out Vic's multi-tracks and were pleasantly surprised by what they heard.
Dom Mariani; "the band is in full flight and rocking. If we knew it was being recorded, we probably wouldn’t have been so uninhibited. We let it all hang out, warts and all."
With the intention of releasing a vinyl album of the recording, 8 songs were selected from the set-list and were duly and expertly mixed by Julian at his Nut Sauce Studios.
Julian Matthews: “this recording is a joyous rendition of what we sound like live.”
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“The Stems Official Recording’ released through Cheersquad Records and FOLC records in Spain captures the band in a powerful performance proving they deserve their reputation as one of Australia’s best live bands.
