Allniters
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Martin Fabok |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Allniters are an Australian ska pop group originating from Sydney, established in 1980. The founding members comprised Ted Ayers (saxophone), Dave Bebb (drums), Stuart Crysell (guitar), Martin Fabok (guitar), Peter Hill-Travis (vocals), Graham Hood (bass), Brett Pattinson (vocals), and Mark Taylor (keyboards). Throughout various personnel shifts, Fabok, Hill-Travis, and Pattinson remained the band's core.
In 1983, the band released a ska-infused rendition of Bobby Bloom's track "Montego Bay", which climbed to number 19 on the Australian singles chart. This success was followed by their album D-D-D-Dance, which included the more mellow and widely accessible single "Love and Affection". Both the album and single garnered considerable radio exposure nationwide, securing positions within the top 40. After issuing several more singles, The Allniters took a six-month hiatus in 1985 before resuming activity until their eventual split in July 1987.
The group briefly reunited in 1999 to tour and produce the album Another Fine Mess, disbanding once more thereafter. A further reunion occurred in 2004; however, no new recordings were released during that period.
Biography
Guitarist Martin Fabok founded The Allniters in Sydney in 1980. The initial lineup featured Ted Ayers on saxophone, Dave Bebb on drums, Stuart Crysell on guitar, Peter Hill-Travis as vocalist, Graham Hood handling bass, Brett Pattinson also on vocals, and Mark Taylor playing keyboards. Their first live appearance took place at the Sussex Hotel in September of that year. Early singles included "She Made a Monkey Out of Me" (1981) and "You Shouldn't Stay Out Late" (1982), both issued via Green Records.
Several members—Ayers, Betts, Crysell, Fabok, and Taylor—collaborated with other artists to form a studio project called The Igniters. This ensemble released a dub reggae EP titled Igniters in 1982 through Green Records.
By 1983, The Allniters secured deals with Powderworks, Midnight Oil’s label, and RCA. Their singles "Hold On" and the cover of "Montego Bay" both achieved chart success, with the latter reaching number 19 nationally. Their debut album D-D-D-Dance was released in October and spawned three singles that entered the top 40. This iteration of the band included Ayers, Crysell, Fabok, Hill-Travis, Pattinson, Taylor alongside Perry Andronos on bass, Julie Conway providing vocals, Dave Lennon on drums, and Stephen Luke playing trombone.
A revamped version of The Igniters recorded a follow-up EP in 1984 featuring additional vocalists and musicians associated with groups such as Spy vs Spy and Caribe. That same year saw The Allniters release the singles "Screaming Dreaming" and "I Saw You First" before dissolving in January 1985 as members moved on to form Castles in Spain.
Midway through 1985, The Allniters regrouped with Conway, Fabok, Hill-Travis, Luke, Pattinson joined by newcomers Peter Bolke on bass and saxophonists Ralph Franke and Mark Fuccilli. Another lineup change occurred in 1986 leading to the release of "All That Easy" in 1987 under Mushroom Records. Produced by Martin Plaza from Mental As Anything, this single failed to chart and the band disbanded shortly afterward.
In 1996 a compilation titled The Best of... was issued. Subsequently, the band reassembled featuring lead singer Miss Velvet Vass (Juliana Vasilkov) who fronted their release "Nowhere Fast," penned by guitarist Marcus Phelan. This formation recorded the album Another Fine Mess in 2000. Prior to this, they had toured alongside The Porkers during the 'Skafari' tour in 1998. After disbanding again in 2001, The Allniters briefly regrouped in 2004 to support UB40’s Australian tour but did not produce additional recordings.
Members
Presented in alphabetical order:
- Michael Allen — keyboards (1986–1987)
- Perry Andronos — bass guitar (1983–1985, 1999–2000)
- Ted (Phil) Ayers — saxophone (1980–1985)
- David Bebb — drums (1980–1983)
- Peter Bolke — bass guitar (1985)
- Julie Conway — vocals (1983–1985, 1985–1987, 1999–2000)
- Stuart Crysell — guitar (1980–1985)
- Troy Duncombe — bass guitar (1985–1988)
- Martin Fabok — guitar (1980–1985, 1985–1986, 1999–2000)
- Ralph Franke — saxophone (1985–1987)
- Mark Fuccilli — saxophone (1985–1986)
- Peter Hill-Travis — vocals (1980–1985, 1985–1987, 1999–2000)
- Graham Hood — bass guitar (1980–1983)
- Simon Knapman — drums (1986–1987)
- Peter McGreggor — drums (1981–1982)
- Alistair Law — keyboard (1998–1999, 2004)
- Dave Lennon — drums (1983–1985)
- Stephan Luke — trombone (1983–1985, 1985–1986)
- Mickey Mahoney — guitar (1986–1988)
- Dale Pandit — drums (1985–1986)
- Brett Pattinson — vocals, percussion (1980–1985, 1985–1987, 1999–2000)
- Marcus Phelan — guitar, vocals (1987, 1998–1999)
- Mark Tanner — guitar (1985–1986)
- Mark Taylor — keyboards (1980–1985)
- Juliana Vasilkov (also known as Miss Velvet Vass) — vocals (1999–2000)
- Simon Wale — drums (2017–2024)
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Peak Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| D-D-D-Dance |
|
18 |
| Another Fine Mess |
|
- |
Compilation albums
| Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Rarities & B-Sides |
|
| The Best of... |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Peak Chart Positions |
Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "She Made a Monkey Out of Me" | - | non album single |
| 1982 | "You Shouldn't Stay Out Late" | - | non album single |
| "Jingle Bells" | - | non album single | |
| 1983 | "Hold On" | 40 | D-D-D-Dance |
| "Montego Bay" | 19 | ||
| "Love and Affection" | 45 | ||
| 1984 | "Screaming Dreaming" | 84 | Rarities & B-Sides |
| "I Saw You First" | - | ||
| 1985 | "Wake up Sydney" | - | non album single |
| 1987 | "All That Easy" | 76 | non album single |
| 1999 | "Nowhere Fast" | - | Another Fine Mess |