The Crocodiles
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Auckland , New Zealand |
| Products | Pop and new wave music |
The Crocodiles were a New Zealand-based pop and new wave group established in 1979, featuring lead vocalist Jenny Morris, who later gained notable solo success in Australia. Drummer Barton Price, who joined the band subsequently, went on to perform with Sardine v and Models. Their initial album, Tears, released in 1980, included the New Zealand top 20 single "Tears". A follow-up album titled Looking at Ourselves came out in November of the same year. The ensemble moved to Australia in February 1981 but disbanded by July without issuing additional recordings.
History
Fane Flaws (guitar) and Bruno Lawrence (drums) had previously been members of Blerta and later formed the Spats alongside Tony Backhouse (guitar) and Peter Dasent (keyboards). In 1978, Wellington saw the creation of an all-female band called the Wide Mouthed Frogs, featuring Jenny Morris (vocals), Tina Matthews (bass), among others; Lawrence contributed saxophone parts while Dasent took on the role of musical director.
The Crocodiles originated from the Spats under the guidance of US producer Kim Fowley, assembling in Auckland in 1979 with Backhouse, Dasent, Flaws, Lawrence, Mark Hornibrook (bass), and songwriter Arthur Baysting. Jenny Morris was brought on as lead singer, with Matthews soon replacing Hornibrook on bass. Managed by Mike Chunn (formerly of Split Enz), their debut album Tears, produced by Glyn Tucker, was released in April 1980. Both the album and its title track peaked at number 17 on New Zealand’s charts. However, their next single "Whatcha Gonna Do" did not make the charts. That year, they earned accolades for Best Group and Most Promising Group at the New Zealand Music Awards.
After Lawrence’s departure, Ian Gilroy from the Whizz Kids took over on drums; Flaws exited as a performing member but continued writing for their second album Looking at Ourselves, which Ian Morris produced. Released in November 1980, this album failed to chart. By December, Gilroy had joined the Swingers, while Dasent and Matthews also left. The new lineup consisted of original members Morris and Backhouse along with Barton Price (drums), Jonathan Swartz (bass), and Rick Morris (guitar).
The group relocated to Australia in February 1981 but dissolved within months. Following the split, Jenny Morris pursued a solo career; Barton Price became part of Sardine v and later Models; Tony Backhouse worked as a session musician for artists such as Renée Geyer, Jenny Morris herself, Dave Dobbyn, and Tim Finn, additionally focusing on a cappella gospel music. Peter Dasent moved into film scoring, while Fane Flaws found success directing videos and films.
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Tears
|
RCA Victor | 17 | New Zealand | VPL 10285 |
| 1980 | Looking at Ourselves
|
Stunn | - | New Zealand | MLF 450 |
Singles
- "Tears"/"In My Suit" - RCA (MS 433) (1980) (NZ chart position #17)
- "Whatcha Gonna Do"/"All Night Long" - RCA (103619) (1980)
- "Telephone Lover"/"Looking at Ourselves" - RCA (6538) (1980)
- "Teenarama"/"New Girl on the Beat" - RCA (103729) (1980)
- "Hello Girl"/"Romantic as Hell" - CBS (MS 476) (1980)
- "New Wave Goodbye"/"Ribbons of Steel" - Aura (AUS126) (1981)
External links
- AudioCulture profile
- Dix, John, Stranded In Paradise, Paradise Publications, 1988.