July 14th (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Adelaide, Australia |
| Founder | Terry Bradford, Robyn Habel, Rod Ling |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
July 14th was an Australian folk rock ensemble established in 1984 in Adelaide by Terry Bradford (guitar, vocals), Robyn Habel (lead vocals, bass guitar), and Rod Ling (guitar, vocals). Their discography includes three albums: Australian Bite (1985), Cut It Live (1986), and Till We Meet Again (1988). In 1986, Bradford adopted the pseudonym Terry Every to initiate a folk-pop side project called the Every Brothers, alongside Greg Williams (Greg Every) on acoustic guitar and vocals. Following the dissolution of July 14th in 1987, Habel joined the Every Brothers, who released three albums—Picks and Pens (1986), Everyone (1989), and Junk Factory (1998)—before disbanding in 1999. Beginning in 1993, Habel embarked on a solo career, while Bradford transitioned into managing a record label.
1984–1988: Early years
Formed in April 1984 in Adelaide, July 14th emerged as a folk rock group featuring Terry Bradford (formerly of Instamatix) on guitar and vocals, Roy Ezinger (ex-U-Bombs, Mutes) on drums, Robyn Habel handling bass guitar and lead vocals, and Rod Ling (ex-Empty Vessels) on guitar and vocals. Notably, Bradford, Habel, and Ling all share the birthday of July 14. Their first single, "Me and My Gun," penned by Bradford, was released through Greasy Pop in September 1984. Shortly thereafter, Tom Cowsill (ex-Odyssey, Montage) took over drumming duties from Ezinger.
The group’s inaugural album, Australian Bite, produced by Jim Barbour, debuted on 14 July 1985. Reviewers emphasized Ling’s guitar contributions and Bradford’s songwriting as standout elements. Andrew Ferrington of The Canberra Times described their sound as a fusion of new wave with minimalist rock influences that deepened upon repeated listens.
July 14th also provided music for two documentaries: ABC-TV's Searching for Women in History and the American production The Zanoni Project (1986), which centered on the Zanoni shipwreck. In early 1986, Andrew Mills (formerly of Desperate Measures and Speedboat) replaced Cowsill on drums. That year they released a live cassette titled Cut It Live, featuring performances recorded between April and September at various venues.
In 1986, Bradford took on the stage name Terry Every to form the acoustic folk-pop duo the Every Brothers with Greg Williams (Greg Every). Their initial EP, Picks and Pens, appeared on Greasy Pop Records in August. July 14th recorded their sophomore studio album, Till We Meet Again, during 1987 but disbanded later that year; this album was subsequently released posthumously in 1988.
1988–1999: Later years
In 1988, Habel (double bass, vocals) and Mills (drums) joined the Every Brothers. The group signed with Polydor and issued three singles: "This Town" (January), "Paved with Gold" (July), and "Eyes for the Blind" (December). They abbreviated their name to the Everys before releasing the album Everyone in February 1989. The Victor Harbor Times praised their "clean, uncluttered harmonies" alongside a stylistic diversity that resisted simple classification. The band went on hiatus from 1990 while Bradford established the Round record label.
Robyn Habel launched a solo career with a self-titled album released by March 1993 through Rounder. Mike Gribble lauded her "captivating vocal ability" coupled with sophisticated musical arrangements. At the 1993 South Australian Music Industry awards, Habel earned accolades for outstanding songwriter, female vocalist, performer, and release. Her follow-up album, Red (August 1995), combined elements of folk, blues, and funk while highlighting her clear vocal delivery. To promote this release, Habel assembled the Rain featuring James Aujard (guitar), Tim O'Donnell (keyboards), Trent Edwards (bass), and Nick Southgate (drums).
In 1996, Round issued a self-titled July 14th album. Bradford reunited with Williams to revive the Every Brothers in 1997; they released Junk Factory in February 1998 under Round Records, described as containing "swinging pop songs."
2000–present
Throughout the 2000s, Habel maintained her solo endeavors while also serving as a jazz lecturer at Adelaide University's Elder Conservatorium of Music. In 2008, she released the album Sun Come Shine, which was produced by Michael Carpenter under Albert Music. Steve Jones from dBMagazine.com.au commended her March 2009 concert at the Spiegeltent, emphasizing her extensive vocal capabilities and the strong support from her band.
Meanwhile, Bradford continued to oversee Round during the 2000s, performed with the group the Holiday, and presented a weekly radio program titled Hillbilly Hoot.
Studio albums
- Australian Bite (14 July 1985) – Greasy Pop (GPR 114)
- Till We Meet Again (1988) – Greasy Pop (GPR 134)
- Everyone (credited to the Everys) (February 1989) – Polydor (837 321-1, 837 321-4, 837 321-2)
- July 14th (1996) – Round (CDRR023)
- Junk Factory (February 1998) – Round (CDRR032)
Live albums
- Cut It Live (late 1986) – Greasy Pop (GPR TAPE 3)
Extended plays
- Picks and Pens (by the Every Brothers) (August 1986) – Greasy Pop (GPR 123)