Deckchairs Overboard
| Company type | Pop group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Deckchairs Overboard was a Sydney-based Australian pop group active from 1982 until 1985. During their career, they produced two modestly successful singles, "That's The Way" (1983) and "Fight For Love" (1985), as well as a charting full-length album.
The founding members who recorded the band's 1982 debut EP were Ken Campbell (vocals, guitar, drums), John Clifforth (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Paul Hester (drums; later known for his work with Split Enz and Crowded House), and Cathy McQuade (bass guitar, vocals). Most of the lineup had previously been part of the Melbourne band The Cheks, except for McQuade, who came from The Ears. The lead single "That's The Way," featuring Campbell on lead vocals, garnered moderate attention on television and radio.
By late 1982, Hester departed and was succeeded by Matthew Wenban on drums. The 1983 single "Shout," which showcased McQuade as lead vocalist, did not enter the charts. That same year, Michael Hoste—formerly of Flowers and Icehouse—joined the group as a live keyboardist.
For their 1984 release "Walking in the Dark," drummer Michael Davis took over from Wenban, with Clifforth providing vocals; however, this track also failed to chart. By the time their only album Deckchairs Overboard was released in 1985, the band had been reduced to a duo consisting of Clifforth and McQuade, supported by session musicians including former members Wenban and Campbell. The album's single "Fight For Love" reached number 78 on Australian charts.
Both McQuade and Clifforth contributed vocals to the ABC television series Sweet and Sour in 1984; McQuade additionally played bass guitar for the show. Their song "That's the Way" was included on the series' soundtrack. Moreover, two tracks by Deckchairs Overboard were featured in the 1985 film I Can't Get Started.
The group officially disbanded by the close of 1985.
Following the breakup, John Clifforth released an album titled Craven's Pharmacy in 2011 in collaboration with Paul Hester. Catherine McQuade pursued a solo path with her debut album Perfect Storm (2019), followed by the EP Life is Elsewhere (2021) and her sophomore album Kiss Him Goodbye (2022). The track "Snow" from this latter release was recognized as a finalist in the 2022 International John Lennon Songwriting Contest. In addition, McQuade composed the original soundtrack for the acclaimed crime thriller The Widow.
Albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Deckchairs Overboard
|
88 |
Extended Play
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Deckchairs Overboard
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | "That's the Way" | 86 | Deckchairs Overboard (EP) |
| 1983 | "Shout" | - | non-album single |
| 1984 | "Walking in the Dark" | - | Deckchairs Overboard |
| 1985 | "Fight for Love" | 78 | Deckchairs Overboard |
| 1985 | "Teach Me to Cry" | - | Deckchairs Overboard |