Ripe (Australian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Ripe was an Australian pop-rock ensemble established in Melbourne in 1988, comprising Tony Cleaver on bass, Ewan McCartney handling drums, Peter Moran as lead guitarist, and Mark Murphy providing vocals and guitar. By late 1992, Marie Dixon took over bass duties while Darren Seltmann replaced McCartney on drums. The group produced two studio albums: Filterfeed (1990) and The Plastic Hassle (1993). In 1994, Ripe embarked on a North American tour before Moran and Seltmann exited the band. Seltmann went on to create the Avalanches in 1997. The band persisted with Dixon and Murphy alongside new musicians but remained dormant from 1998 until releasing the EP Galaxies and Stars in 2006, disbanding the following year.
History
Originating in Melbourne in 1988, Ripe began as a pop outfit featuring Tony Cleaver (bass), Ewan McCartney (drums), Peter Moran (lead guitar), and Mark Murphy (vocals, guitar). According to Australian music historian Ian McFarlane, their style blended infectious bubblegum pop with edgy guitar riffs. Their inaugural single, "We're All Trying to Get There," came out in 1989.
Their debut album, Filterfeed, was launched in December 1990 under Melbourne's Polyester label. In 1991, Jo-Anne Roberts replaced Cleaver on bass. The band secured a deal with Shock Records, which released their four-track EP Tough Guys Don't Dance in March 1992; Moran and Murphy took on production roles. Roberts was later succeeded by Katie Dixon, and by the end of that year, McCartney was replaced by Darren Seltmann on drums.
Released in August 1993, their sophomore album The Plastic Hassle, produced by Chris Thompson, received acclaim from McFarlane who called it their "most daring effort," showcasing a noisy post-modern heavy metal sound reminiscent of Sonic Youth. To promote their North American tour, the album was reissued in July 1994 by Beggars Banquet/Atlantic Records. Critic Tom Demalon from AllMusic awarded it four-and-a-half stars for its aggressively melodic noise rock qualities.
Following their return to Australia, Moran and Seltmann departed the group. Dixon and Murphy carried on with fresh members starting late 1996; Moran rejoined early in 1997 along with Matthew Whittle on bass. The band then entered a period of inactivity beginning in 1998. Concurrently, Seltmann founded the Avalanches in 1997.
Reforming with Dixon contributing vocals alongside Murphy and additional new members, Ripe released the five-track EP Galaxies and Stars in May 2006 via Timberyard Records. Clem Bastow of The Age commended the release as a rich and satisfying experience, emphasizing its lush production and garage-psychedelic elements.
Members
- Tony Cleaver – bass guitar
- Ewan McCartney – drums
- Peter Moran – lead guitar
- Mark Murphy – lead vocals, guitar
- Jo-Anne Roberts – bass guitar
- Katie Dixon – bass guitar, vocals
- Darren Seltmann – drums
- Matthew Whittle – bass guitar
- David Wookey – drums (1989); keyboards & samples (1991)
- Stephen Williams – keyboards (1989–1991)
Albums
- Filterfeed (December 1990) – Polyester
- The Plastic Hassle (August 1993) – Shock
- The Plastic Hassle (1994) – Beggars Banquet/Atlantic
Extended plays
- Tough Guys Don't Dance (March 1992) – Released by Shock
- Galaxies and Stars (2006) – Issued through Shock and Timberyard
Singles
- "We're All Trying to Get There" (1989) – Distributed by Summershine
- "Spacesuit 4 2" (1990) – Released via Polyester
- "The Most" (1992) – Issued by Shock
- "Moondriven" (1992) – Released under Shock
- "Love Your Guts" (1993) – Distributed by Shock
- "Something Fierce" (1993) – Issued through Shock