Australian Crawl | |
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![]() Australian Crawl live | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Clutch Cargo |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia |
Genres | Pop, rock, pub rock |
Years active | 1978–1986 |
Labels | EMI, Geffen, Virgin |
Past members | Simon Binks David Reyne James Reyne Brad Robinson Paul Williams Bill McDonough Guy McDonough Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup John Watson Mark Greig Harry Brus |
Australian Crawl (often called Aussie Crawl or The Crawl by fans) were an Australian rock band founded by James Reyne (lead vocals/piano/harmonica), Brad Robinson (rhythm guitar), Paul Williams (bass), Simon Binks (lead guitar) and David Reyne (drums) in Melbourne in 1978.[1] David Reyne soon left and was replaced by Bill McDonough (drums, percussion).[2] They were later joined by his brother Guy McDonough (vocals, rhythm guitar).[2] The band was named after the front crawl swimming style also known as the Australian crawl.[1]
Australian Crawl were associated with surf music[3][4] and sponsored a surfing competition in 1984.[5] However, they also handled broader social issues such as shallow materialism, alcoholism, car accidents, and cautionary tales of romance.[3]
After their 1980 debut album, The Boys Light Up, reached No. 4, Australian Crawl had two No. 1 albums; 1981's Sirocco and 1982's Sons of Beaches.[1] Their early singles reached the top 25 but none broke into the Top Ten;[1] their best performing single was No. 1 hit "Reckless" which showed a more mature approach than earlier hits, and came from their 1983 Semantics EP.[1]
Upheaval within the band occurred from 1983 onwards. First, Bill McDonough left in 1983, then his brother Guy McDonough died in 1984 and finally, Paul Williams departed in 1985.[2] Their 1985 release Between a Rock and a Hard Place was expensive but sales were disappointing[1] and they disbanded early in 1986.[6] The band's status as an icon on the Australian music scene was acknowledged by induction into the 1996 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.[7] Hospitalised with lymphoma, founding guitarist Brad Robinson was unable to attend the Hall of Fame induction in person. He died two weeks later.[1][8]
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