Tall Tales and True
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Matthew de la Hunty, Paul Miskin |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Tall Tales and True was an Australian rock ensemble established in 1983 by Matthew de la Hunty (lead vocals, guitar) alongside Paul Miskin (bass guitar, backing vocals, guitar). They produced three studio albums: Shiver (1989), Revenge! (1992, which entered the ARIA top 50), and Tilt (1995) before disbanding in 1995.
1983–1988: Origins and initial releases
Originally from Perth, singer and guitarist Matthew de la Hunty relocated to Sydney in 1983 where he formed the band with Paul Miskin and drummer Willie McCracken. After a single performance, Dave Rashleigh took over drums from McCracken in 1984, and the group adopted the name Tall Tales and True. They quickly became fixtures on Sydney’s inner-city live music scene. Their first mini-album, titled Tall Tales and True, was produced by engineer/producer Nick Mainsbridge and issued on the Survival label; it featured the single "Wasted Life"/"Good Heart Gone Bad" released in August 1986. Following this, they issued two four-track singles on Survival: "Up Our Street" (1987) and "You've Got Your Troubles" (1988), which attracted interest from the independent label rooArt.
1989–1995: rooArt years
Contributing a remixed version of "You've Got Your Troubles" to rooArt’s Youngblood compilation in September 1988 led to a full recording contract with the label. Their debut full-length album, Shiver, produced once more by Nick Mainsbridge, was released in May 1989. The record highlighted their strong songwriting abilities and de la Hunty’s distinctive vocal style. Singles "Trust" (January 1989) and "Hold On" (June 1989) both charted within the ARIA top 70, with "Trust" gaining substantial rotation on Triple J radio.
In 1989, Tall Tales and True embarked on a three-month tour across Canada that extended into a nine-month global tour including stops in the United States and United Kingdom. While in Toronto, violinist Simon Alcorn joined the lineup but was later replaced by Robert McComb of The Triffids during the US leg. The band released the EP Superstition Highway in 1991 featuring McComb on guitar. Subsequently, Vanessa Lucas took over violin and bass duties from McComb. Touring alongside rooArt labelmates The Hummingbirds and Canadian group The Pursuit of Happiness, they expanded their audience.
Their sophomore album Revenge, issued in June 1992, included singles "Lifeboat" and "Summer of Love," with the latter reaching number 51 nationally. The track "Lifeboat" earned ARIA nominations for Engineer of the Year (Nick Mainsbridge) and Best Video. Produced again with Mainsbridge at a Sydney studio, Revenge also spawned singles "Watching the Wind Blow" and "Looking for a Place," after which the band entered a two-year hiatus.
Returning to recording in mid-1994 within a Sydney warehouse setting with Mainsbridge producing, their third album Tilt embraced a rawer sound that revisited their garage rock roots. It yielded singles "You Sleep I'll Drive" (June 1994) and "Moonshine" (January 1995). Tall Tales and True concluded their career with a final performance at The Annandale Hotel in 1995.
1996–present: Activities after disbandment
After Tall Tales and True dissolved, Dave Rashleigh joined The Jackson Code before moving on to Sydney-based WEMO. Paul Miskin launched Angel Gear in 1997 alongside Rashleigh on drums; they released Friends in Low Places in 2003 through Nick Mainsbridge’s Beat – Route label. Miskin has also toured with Plug Uglies, Margaret Urlich, The Jackson Code, and Jodi Phillis, currently performing with Grandaddy Low and The Richest Men in Town.
Matthew de la Hunty returned to his hometown Perth to release his solo debut Scissors, Paper, Rock in 1999 followed by Welcome to My Rock And Roll World in 2001. He expanded his career into production and remix projects while continuing his own musical output as well as teaching songwriting and production techniques. In 2009, he co-founded The Smokin' Eldorados with Roddy Radalj, concentrating on loud, improvisational rock music. His present band Zombie Western Baby revisits his vocal/guitar style reminiscent of Tall Tales and True’s sound. In 2013, he served as musical director and performer for the Berlin premiere of the dance theatre piece "Good Little Soldier."
Members
- Matthew de la Hunty – vocals (lead), guitar (1983–1995)
- Paul Miskin – bass guitar, backing vocals, guitar (1983–1995)
- Dave Rashleigh – drums, backing vocals, percussion (1984–1995)
- Willie McCracken – drums, backing vocals (1983)
- Simon Alcorn – violin, guitar (1988–1989)
- Robert McComb – guitar, violin (1989–1990)
- Dave Goesch – guitar (1991)
- Vanessa Lucas – bass, violin (1991–1992)
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia |
US CMJ | ||
| Shiver |
|
— | 87 |
| Revenge! |
|
42 | — |
| Tilt |
|
140 | — |
| That's All Folks |
|
— | — |
EPs
| EP Title | Release Details | Top Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| Tall Tales and True |
|
— |
| Superstition Highway |
|
134 |
Singles
| Single Title | Release Year | Highest Chart Position | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | |||
| "Wasted Life" | 1986 | — | Tall Tales and True |
| "Up Our Street" | 1987 | — | Non-album singles |
| "You Got Your Troubles" | — | ||
| "Trust" | 1988 | 69 | Shiver |
| "Passing Out the Chains" | 1989 | — | |
| "Hold On" | 70 | ||
| "Heart" | — | ||
| "Lifeboat" | 1991 | 129 | Revenge! |
| "Summer of Love" | 1992 | 51 | |
| "Watching the Wind Blow" | 53 | ||
| "Looking for a Place" | 96 | ||
| "You Sleep I'll Drive" / "It's Not Right" | 1994 | 158 | Tilt |
| "Moonshine" | 1995 | 173 |
ARIA Music Awards
Since 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding accomplishments within the Australian music industry.
| Year | Work | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Shiver | Best New Talent | Nominated |
| 1992 | Nick Mainsbridge for "Lifeboat" | Producer of the Year | Nominated |
| Nick Mainsbridge for "Lifeboat" | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Brendon Young for "Lifeboat" | Best Video | Nominated |
External links
- [ Tall Tales and True] @ allmusic
- @ Australian Rock Database
- Tall Tales and True @ discogs
- Tall Tales and True @ musicbrainz
- Newspaper review
- Newspaper review