Tuesday, March 12, 2024

REPOST: Contraband - Selftitled (1979) + Bonus Single

(Australian 1973-1979)
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Initially formed in Sydney and originally called Stillwater, the band changed its name to Finch in 1973 and then, in mid-1978, they changed their name to to Contraband. Owen Orford was the only remaining member of the original 1973 line-up.
The band didn't work fulltime until 1976 when, as Finch, they recorded their first album, 'Thunderbird'. They produced and financed the recording themselves and its release, on the Eagle label, coincided with an upsurge in their popularity.
Originally Sydney-based, they toured Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and country areas of New South Wales. At the end of 1976, they moved to Melbourne and released a single, 'Short Changed Again'. The disc enjoyed moderate success, but its release was followed by a major upheaval. BOB SPENCER (guitar) left to join Skyhooks; then the group split completely leaving only PETER McFARLANE (drums) and Owen. The two of them spent the next three months (April '77 to July '77) auditioning new members. Eventually they came up with David Hinds, who replaced CHRIS JONES as second guitarist, Mark Evans (ex-AC/DC), and an old school friend of Mark's, Graham Kennedy.


Meanwhile the band was signed by CBS. In February 1978, their 'Nothing to Hide' album was released. A single, 'Where Were You', was lifted from it and, in March, became their first national hit.
The band's big break coincided with the album's release — they were picked up for worldwide distribution by American label Portrait. However, as there was already a Dutch band called Finch, Portrait recommended a change of name (to Contraband). Until October '78 the group used both the old and new names to help fans adjust.

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In March, Contraband set off on a national ten week tour with Dragon and, nearing the tour's end, released a re-mixed, edited version of 'Nothing To Hide' as a single. The band then headlined its own tour and, in July, supported Status Quo on its Australian jaunt. The same month, Contraband's album was released in the US. Apart from receiving favourable reviews, the LP got airplay on some of the major FM stations.
In October '78, Peter McFarlane left the band, basically over differing musical taste. He was replaced by Barry Cram (ex-Front Page and Russell Morris Band). Coinciding with the split they released another single, 'That's Your Way' (also a re-mix).
Contraband was scheduled to leave for the US in January '79 to record an album. However Portrait, which was financing the project, pulled out at the last minute without explanation. Undaunted, the band decided to go ahead on its own, record the album at Albert Studios in Sydney and aim at getting to the US later in the year. This selftitled album is the final LP that they recorded before splitting total later in 1979.  [extract from Noel McGrath's Australian Encyclopedia of Rock 1978-79 Yearbook, p14-16].
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Finch (Contraband) On Countdown 1979
This post consists of FLACs ripped from my cassette tape (plays just fine) and includes full album artwork (which was sourced from Midoztouch with thanks). Also included is the non-album B-Side single from Rainin' Again.
Not a bad collection of tracks - probably their best songs musically, but I still preferred their heavier rock material from their early Finch days (see previous post)

NEW IMPROVED RIP
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Track Listing
01. Lead Me to the Slaughter
02. C-61
03. Rainin' Again
04. Twisted
05. Shot Down in Flames
06. Gimme Some Lovin'
07. Only a Fool
08. Jodie on the Break
09. Sittin' Pretty
10. I Want La-Huv
11. Too Drunk To Know (B-Side Single)

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Band Members:
Barry Cram (drums)
Owen Orford (vocals)
David Hinds (guitar)
Graham Kennedy (guitar)
Mark Evans (bass)
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Contraband Link (304Mb)
New Link 12/03/2024

8 comments:

  1. many thanks, still play casettes in my kombi coz that's all its got, and now they're going to kill analog radio - that's all its got, so this contraband will go full cycle casette to mp3 to casette ;) the car is where i do my critical listening.
    Eduardo con strada Lygon.

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  2. Great band , Owen Orford , world class vocalist, they should have been bigger. Original line up is a classic, still listen to Finch to this day. Much appreciate the flac for this one, any chance to get Finch's Thunderbird in Flac. Keep up the great work,love your site.

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  3. As a 17 yo growing up in Ballarta Victoria, I used to play the hell out of this album....we had a tape of it in my mates car. Great songs and Owen Owford is an overlooked powerhouse singer....this band shoulda been huge with this album.

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  4. Great band!! I live in the States and discovered Finch/Contraband on Youtube a couple of years ago. I have been looking for rereleases of their albums on cd or mp3 but have realized that none exists. If a digital release exists I would love to know? Cool site!!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi MJ - I can help out with Finch's 1978 album "Nothing To Hide" so stay tuned - I'll post it on the blog in the near future.
      Cheers AussieRock

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  5. Hey Aussierock. Thanks heaps for this album & bonus. Had the album when it came out and played the cassette to death numerous times in the car. "Rainin' Again & Where Were You" are both some of my altime fave tracks. Love them. :)

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  6. Thanks Aussie for the Contraband share a hard album to come by so thanks for the chance to hear it again after all these years

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