Essendon Airport (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | David Chesworth, Robert Goodge |
| Defunct | 1983 (initially) |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Electronic music, post-punk music |
Essendon Airport is an Australian band specializing in electronic music and post-punk, established in 1978 and recognized for their experimental approach to minimalist and funk genres. The group was initially formed by David Chesworth (electric piano, drum machine) and Robert Goodge (guitar). In 1980, Ian Cox (saxophone) and Paul Fletcher (drums) joined the lineup. Bassist Barbara Hogarth became part of the ensemble in 1982 before the group dissolved in 1983. Their discography includes the EP Sonic Investigations (Of the Trivial) released in May 1980 and the album Palimpsest from May 1982. Chesworth and Goodge reunited sporadically starting in 2003 after a compilation release, followed by a double CD reissue of Palimpsest with additional live recordings issued by Chapter Music in 2011.
In September 2022, Essendon Airport unveiled their first new recordings in four decades: a double-A side 7" single titled "Agua Por Favor"/"Ten Thousand Steps," featuring vocals by Anne Cessna.
1978–80: Origins to Sonic Investigations
Essendon Airport originated in Melbourne as an instrumental electronic duo in 1978, comprising Robert Goodge on lead guitar and David Chesworth on Wurlitzer electric piano alongside a custom-built drum machine acquired through the Trading Post. Both musicians resided near Essendon, Victoria, which inspired the band's name after the nearby airport.
In May 1980, the duo issued a four-track EP titled Sonic Investigations (Of the Trivial) via Innocent Records, a label co-founded by Chesworth and Philip Brophy of → ↑ →. The EP featured minimalist pieces characterized by simple motifs combined with repetitive patterns.
The single "Talking to Cleopatra," released in September 1980, showcased Anne Cessna (also known as Anne Sanger) as lead vocalist. Cessna later recounted volunteering for the vocal role despite initial hesitation. The track gained cult status within Melbourne’s alternative music community. Essendon Airport played at venues such as Clifton Hill Community Music Centre and supported various artists at Melbourne’s Crystal Ballroom.
1980–83: From Palimpsest to dissolution
By late 1980, Essendon Airport had grown into a quartet with the addition of Ian Cox on saxophone and Paul Fletcher on drums. They performed at key post-punk venues in Melbourne including the Crystal Ballroom, George Paton Gallery, and Clifton Hill Community Music Centre, maintaining close collaborations with → ↑ →.
Fletcher’s unconventional drumming style combined with Cox’s unique saxophone contributions allowed the band to explore a range of styles from minimalism to inventive reinterpretations of popular music. These experiments are documented on their debut album, Palimpsest, released through Innocent Records in May 1982. The group also contributed tracks to the Fast Forward cassette magazine and produced a recording for Art Network magazine.
With bassist Barbara Hogarth from Government Drums joining, Essendon Airport evolved towards a funk-oriented sound. They headlined performances at venues such as the Jump Club and Crystal Ballroom and toured Sydney. Music historian Ian McFarlane described this five-member lineup as blending modern jazz, rock, and funk elements. No official recordings from this configuration were released until 2011 when the expanded double CD edition of Palimpsest included both live and studio material, featuring their final live-to-air session on Melbourne’s 3RRR FM. The band ceased activities by mid-1983.
Following the breakup, Chesworth pursued solo projects and formed Whaddya Want? in 1985 alongside Warwick Bone, Phillip Jackson, Bill McDonald, and Michael Sheridan. Meanwhile, Goodge, Cox, and Hogarth became central members of the successful pop-funk group I'm Talking starting late 1983, with Kate Ceberano as lead singer. In 1990, Cox reunited with Chesworth and Goodge in Power Trip featuring Mr Larry Weems along with John Course and others. Chesworth later established the instrumental David Chesworth Ensemble, occasionally collaborating again with Goodge.
2003–present: Renewed Activity
In 2003, Chapter Music issued Sonic Investigations of The Trivial, a compilation CD featuring live and studio tracks recorded between 1978 and 1980. Following this release, Essendon Airport occasionally reunited as the original duo, digitizing drum machine sounds from vintage tapes and incorporating new compositions. Former The Triffids member Graham Lee contributed pedal steel guitar to the ensemble. In 2011, Chapter Music re-released Palimpsest as a double CD edition, enhanced with additional live recordings. To promote this edition, a four-member lineup including Chesworth, Fletcher, Goodge, and Phil Bywater—who filled in for original saxophonist Ian Cox—performed live.
In September 2022, the band unveiled a double-A sided 7" single titled "Agua Por Favor"/"Ten Thousand Steps", featuring vocals by Anne Cessna and cover art created by Paul Fletcher.
Members
- David Chesworth – keyboards including Wurlitzer electric piano, drum machine, vocals (1978–83, 2003, 2011, 2022–2023)
- Robert Goodge – guitar (1978–83, 2003, 2011, 2022–2023)
- Ian Cox – saxophone (1980–83)
- Paul Fletcher – drums (1980–83, 2011)
- Barbara Hogarth – bass guitar (1982–83)
- Graham Lee – pedal steel guitar (2005–10, 2022–2023)
- Phil Bywater – saxophone (2011)
Albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Palimpsest |
|
| Sonic Investigations of the Trivial |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Sonic Investigations (Of the Trivial) |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Album association |
|---|---|---|
| "Talking to Cleopatra" (by Anne Cessna & Essendon Airport) | 1980 | non album single |
| "Agua Por Favor"/"Ten Thousand Steps" (featuring Anne Cessna) | 2022 | non album single |
References
- General
- Note: Archived versions may have limited functionality.
- Specific
External links
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmhhUC1sueA Farrago interview with Essendon Airport founders David Chesworth and Robert Goodge, dated 27 June 2024
- Do That Dance! Australian Post Punk, 1977-1983, hosted by Lorena Allam on Hindsight - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), broadcast 18 July 2010