Seven Stories (band)

Seven Stories

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1986
Defunct	1994
Headquarters	Adelaide , Australia
Products	Music albums, singles

Seven Stories was a rock ensemble originating from Adelaide, Australia, initially established under the name Tall Stories in 1986. The band secured a contract with Sony (formerly CBS Records) and issued two studio albums: Judges and Bagmen in 1990 and Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need) in 1993. Their single "Sleeping Through Another War" (1990) earned them a nomination for Breakthrough Artist – Single at the ARIA Music Awards of 1991. The group dissolved in 1994.

History

Before forming Seven Stories, Michael Boundy, Sue Oliver, and Andrew Tanner were active participants in Adelaide’s music community from the late 1970s, primarily working as session musicians at Good God recording studio. Tanner contributed drums and vocals on early projects and later shifted to guitar with the band the Retreads, which released a self-titled album in 1980. Boundy played bass for Thumbs Up and subsequently the Retreads before joining Perfect Strangers in 1980. In 1984, Tanner composed "Dreams and Visions," a significant piece for the Uniting Church's National Christian Youth Convention in 1985 that continues to be embraced by Australian church congregations.

In 1986, Boundy (bass), Oliver (percussion and backing vocals), and Tanner (guitar and lead vocals) teamed up with Jeff Algra (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Glyn Lehmann (keyboards, accordion, French horn, backing vocals) to form Tall Stories. Their debut major release was a self-produced 12" mini LP titled Sleeping Through Another War in 1987; Oliver departed from the group that same year.

Following increased radio exposure, they secured a five-year agreement with Sony (then known as CBS Records). Around 1989, to distinguish themselves from an American band with the same moniker, they adopted the name Seven Stories. This change preceded the release of their critically praised album Judges and Bagmen in 1990, which featured ten tracks solely written by Tanner and produced by Kevin Moloney at Platinum Studios in Melbourne. Guest performances on the album included vocalists Vika and Linda Bull as well as Broderick Smith.

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1991, Seven Stories were recognized with a nomination for Breakthrough Artist – Single for "Sleeping Through Another War." The album’s singles included "Sleeping Through Another War" and "Walk through Babylon." The band embarked on extensive tours throughout Australia, supporting prominent acts such as Midnight Oil, INXS, The Black Sorrows, Hothouse Flowers, Hunters and Collectors, and Paul Kelly.

For their sophomore album, Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need) released in 1993, Sony enlisted renowned producers T-Bone Burnett and Richard Pleasance of Boom Crash Opera. Singles from this record included "Is that It?" Guitarist David Carr was added to strengthen the lineup during this period; however, Lehmann had officially exited prior to the album’s release. To promote the album, the band toured Europe and North America. Despite successful tours and recording a live session for JJJ Live at the Wireless, Sony unexpectedly withdrew support to prioritize other projects, resulting in Seven Stories disbanding in 1994.

After the breakup, Andrew Tanner moved to Melbourne where he focused on writing and became involved with psychedelic outfit The Sand Pebbles (band) as well as the Woodland Hunters. Boundy, Algra, and Lehmann returned to Adelaide’s music scene; Algra collaborated with various artists including T-Bone Burnett and The Waifs. Lehmann established himself as a composer, songwriter, arranger, performer, and producer across television, radio, theatre companies, and orchestras. Boundy performed with Adelaide-based groups Verandah, Vivid, The Borrowed Ones, and Sun Theory alongside Lehmann.

Seven Stories briefly reunited for a special one-time show in Adelaide during April 2012.

Members

• Andrew Tanner – vocals, guitar, keyboards
• Glyn Lehmann – keyboards, backing vocals
• Michael Boundy – bass guitar
• Jeff Algra – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Sue Oliver – percussion, vocals (1986–1987)

Studio albums

Catalog of studio albums including key details and chart rankings

Title	Album information	Highest chart position
		AUS
Judges and Bagmen	Released: July 1990 Label: Columbia (466747 2) Formats: CD, LP	76
Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need)	Released: August 1993 Label: Columbia (473582 2) Formats: CD, cassette	99

Singles

Catalog of singles

Title	Year	Highest chart rankings	Album
		AUS
"Sleeping Through Another War"	1990	68	Judges and Bagmen
"Kicking Against the Bricks"		122
"Is That It?"	1993	115	Everything You Want (Nothing That You Need)
"Prince of Hollywood"		111

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are held annually by the Australian Recording Industry Association, having been inaugurated in 1987.

Year	Work	Category	Outcome	Ref.
1991	"Sleeping Through Another War"	Breakthrough Artist - Single	Nominated