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Pel Mel

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Pel Mel, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 20258 sources
Pel Mel
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
FoundedJune 1979 in Newcastle, Australia
Defunct1985 (initially)
FateDisbanded in 1985; reformed in 2012 as Pel Mel Organisation
Headquarters
Newcastle, New South Wales
,
Australia
ProductsStudio albums, compilation albums, live albums, EPs, singles

Pel Mel (occasionally presented as pel mel) originated in Newcastle in June 1979. The group issued two studio albums, Out of Reason (1982) and Persuasion (1983), maintained touring activities until late 1984, and ultimately dissolved in 1985.[1] They reassembled in 2012 under the name Pel Mel Organisation and have since performed sporadically while releasing a compilation alongside a live album in 2016. In 2023, they unveiled Late, Late Show, which features six tracks recorded in 1985.

History

The founding members of Pel Mel were Graeme Dunne (guitar, lead vocals), Glenn Hill (bass), Judy "Jude" McGee (saxophone, clarinet, later synthesiser and co-lead vocals), Jane McGee (guitar), Nigel Savage (saxophone), and Dave Weston (drums).[2][1] Drawing inspiration from British post-punk bands such as The Cure and Joy Division, their sound fused avant-garde influences with dance rhythms and new wave pop, yet they found limited success on Newcastle’s predominantly hard rock pub circuit.[1]

In early 1980, Nigel Savage exited the lineup; later that year Lindsay O'Meara took over bass duties from Glenn Hill. The band moved to Sydney in February 1980.[3] Their first single, "No Word from China," was recorded at Double Jay radio studios and released through their own label, Primate Records, in January 1981.[3] It garnered favorable reviews within new wave circles.[1] Despite some production constraints, The Canberra Times commended its memorable melody and evocative vocals.[4]

Jane McGee departed in February 1981; Craig Robertson replaced Lindsay O'Meara on bass later that year.[2] Pel Mel performed "No Word from China" on the national television program Countdown. The single was remastered and reissued by GAP Records in June 1981 with enhanced sound quality.[5] Additionally, members Judy and Jane McGee, Dunne, and Weston collaborated on a side project named the Limp during 1981.[1]

Further singles followed: "Head Above Water" (December 1981) and "Blind Lead the Blind" (November 1982).[1] Mid-1982 saw them supporting Elvis Costello on his Australian tour across major metropolitan areas,[3] which elevated their profile within the industry. Their debut album, Out of Reason, produced by Tony Cohen and released via GAP/EMI in December 1982,[1] demonstrated their distinctive sound.

Craig Robertson left the band early in 1983.[1] Pel Mel undertook extensive tours alongside Australian groups like the Reels and Mental as Anything while also opening for international acts New Order and the Fall.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Their sophomore album, Persuasion, was recorded by Dunne, Jude McGee, Weston, and newcomer guitarist Paul Davies. Released by GAP/CBS in October 1983 and produced by Cohen,[1] it showcased a more assured approach and sophisticated songwriting.

Evolving from their punk origins into a unique pop identity, Pel Mel became an integral part of Sydney’s early 1980s music landscape alongside peers such as Wild West and Tactics.[1] Clinton Walker emphasized their commercial promise based on musicianship, catchy appeal, danceable grooves, and strong live shows.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Despite this potential, they disbanded after 1984 without achieving mainstream success.[1]

Their track "No Word from China" was featured on the seminal compilation Tales from the Australian Underground, which highlighted significant independent Australian singles from 1976–1989.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Pel Mel influenced subsequent Australian rock artists; Glen Bennie of Underground Lovers listed Persuasion among his top three Australian albums.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Academic Philip Brophy recognized them as exemplars of Australian avant-garde rock.[6][7] The song "Pandemonium" appeared on a 2001 compilation celebrating classic Antipodean tracks.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Reuniting in March 2012 as Pel Mel Organisation with an expanded roster including original members Dunne and the McGee sisters plus Paul Davies, Dermot Browne, and Stuart Nichols,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name they performed under both original and new monikers. In September 2016, they released a compilation titled Rags to Tatters – the best of pel mel along with a live album I'm a TV: pel mel live 1979–1984. Bernard Zuel of The Sydney Morning Herald awarded the compilation four out of five stars for its fusion of funk elements with Judy McGee’s vocal style and its bridging of post-punk to ’80s pop-electro sounds.[8]

In 2016, Jude McGee and Dermot Browne launched an album as Jude McGee and the Soft Touch called "The Household Guide to Heartbreak," which received positive critical attention. November 2018 saw Jude McGee, Graeme Dunne, and Dermot Browne record three previously unreleased tracks from 1979 under Pel Mel Organisation; these recordings are available digitally.

In 2023 Efficient Space issued Late, Late Show, a collection comprising six tracks recorded by Pel Mel in 1985.

Members

  • Graeme Dunne – rhythm guitar, lead vocals, bass guitar (1979–1985, 2012–present)
  • Glenn Hill – bass guitar (1979–1980)
  • Jane McGee – guitar (1979–1981)
  • Judy McGee – saxophone, clarinet, synthesiser, co-lead vocals (1979–1985, 2012–present)
  • Nigel Savage – saxophone (1979–1980)
  • Dave Weston – drums (1979–1985, 2012–present)
  • Lindsay O'Meara – bass guitar (1980–1981)
  • Craig Robertson – bass guitar (1981–1983)
  • Paul Davies – guitar, bass guitar (1983–1984)
  • Dermot Browne – guitar, bass guitar (2012–present)
  • Mark Davies – bass guitar (2012–2015)
  • Stuart Nichols – drums (2012–2015)

Studio albums

Albums and their peak positions on Australian charts
Album Title Release Information Chart Peak
Position
Australia
Out of Reason
  • Released: December 1982
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
  • Label: GAP (GAPLP2001)
 –
Persuasion
  • Released: October 1983
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
  • Label: GAP (GAPA2002)
 83

Compilation albums

Album Title Release Details
Rags to Tatters – The Best of Pel Mel
  • Released: September 2016
  • Formats: CD, Download
  • Label: Blue Jube

Live albums

Album Title Release Details
Live 1980
  • Label: Inner City Sound (1808CD)
I'm a TV: Pel Mel Live 1979–1984
  • Released: September 2016
  • Formats: CD, Download
  • Label: BlueJube

EPs

EP Title Release Information
Late, Late Show
  • Released: 2023
  • Formats: 12" vinyl EP, Download
  • Label: Efficient Space

Singles

Year Single Title Associated Album
1981 "No Word from China" non album single
"Head Above Water" non album single
1982 "Blind Lead the Blind" / "Water" Out of Reason
1983 "Shoes Should Fit"
"Pandemonium" Persuasion
  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named McF
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PT
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Heather P
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Gnu
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Muir
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Brophy
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Breen
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Zuel
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