Equal Local
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Dean Richards, Philip Jackson, Melissa Webb, Bryce Perrin, Mick Hauser |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Synth-pop music, live performances, albums, EPs, singles |
Equal Local was a synth-pop ensemble originating from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, established in 1980. The founding members were Dean Richards on guitar, Philip Jackson handling synthesisers, trumpet, and rhythm generator, Melissa Webb on synthesisers and piano, Bryce Perrin playing double bass, and Mick Hauser on saxophone. Prior to forming Equal Local, Richards and Jackson had been part of the electronic post-punk outfit Whirlywirld.
History
Equal Local came together in early 1980 and swiftly developed a dedicated following within Melbourne's Crystal Ballroom circuit. They performed alongside other synth-pop groups such as Essendon Airport and Tsk Tsk Tsk. Music critic Clinton Walker acclaimed them as "the best, most important band to emerge in Melbourne since The Birthday Party left for England." Their innovative instrumental approach fused post-punk with influences from cocktail music, jazz, and funk genres. A notable aspect of their performances was the utilization of a custom-designed computer created by member Robin Whittle, enabling programmable beat sequencing during live shows—this innovation anticipated the Fairlight CMI "Page R" functionality by several years.
In 1980, Philip Jackson, Mick Hauser, and Stephen Ewart provided horn sections for The Birthday Party’s album Prayers on Fire, including the track "Nick the Stripper." That same year, Equal Local composed the soundtrack for the documentary Punkline, which was filmed at the Crystal Ballroom.
Their songs "Widespread" and "Barren and Wasted" were featured on the 1981 cassette magazine Fast Forward. In 1981, they issued the EP Madagascar through Missing Link Records, followed by the single "12 Ways to Go" released on Powderworks Records in 1982. After completing an interstate tour, Equal Local disbanded in 1982. Their concluding show at the Crystal Ballroom was recorded and subsequently issued as a live album by the cassette label Rash (DECISIONS).
Live albums
- How Did We Miss These? (1982) – Rash (DECISIONS)
Extended plays
- Madagascar (1981) – Missing Link Records
Split singles
- "12 Ways to Go"/"Yank" (1982) – Powderworks Records
Bibliography
Books
- Walker, Clinton. Stranded: The Secret History of Australian Independent Music, 1977-1991. Pan Macmillan, 1996. ISBN 9780732908836