The Expression
| Company type | Group or band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Sydney, Australia |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Expression was a synthpop group originating from Sydney, Australia, formed in 1981 and active until 1985. Their most notable track, "With Closed Eyes," was launched in 1983 through Mushroom Records and reached the top thirty on the Kent Music Report charts.
History
Established in Sydney in 1981, The Expression brought together local musicians Jason O'Donnell (bass) and Steve Layton (keyboards) with three former members of the Perth band Visitor: Tom Haran (vocals), Neville Dowling (keyboards, formerly of the Dave Warner Band), and Andrew Wong-Yen (guitar). The lineup was further strengthened by Stephen Manassah (bass) and Steve Hopes (drums, previously with the Renee Geyer Band). The group rapidly gained recognition within Sydney's live music scene by blending sharp new wave elements with guitar-driven hooks and synthesizer layers, highlighted by Haran’s unique vocal style.
In 1982, The Expression secured a contract with Mushroom Records. Their debut single "With Closed Eyes" charted nationally in March 1983, peaking at number 27. The single’s music video, directed by Paul Goldman, debuted on Countdown and was praised for its cinematic approach.
The band’s self-titled first album was produced by Charles Fisher, known for his work with Radio Birdman and Hoodoo Gurus. Recorded in Sydney and mixed in New York City, the album was released late in 1983 and reached number 55 on the album charts. In the United States, A&M Records released the album featuring an alternate cover design and modified tracklist. Subsequent singles "Decisions" and "Total Eclipse" did not enter the top 50. During this time, drummer Steve Hopes was replaced by Guy Slingerland (formerly of Eurogliders), though internal changes soon disrupted the touring ensemble.
Following these shifts, Haran and Dowling retained The Expression name and brought in British session musicians such as drummer Gary Burke and bassist Steve Greetham to record their sophomore album at London's iconic Abbey Road Studios. This project was produced by Ben Rogan (Sade) alongside Wally Brill. The 1984 single "Present Communication" did not chart. After a hiatus of over a year, "Small Brave Land" was issued in July 1985 alongside their second album Conscience, but neither achieved notable commercial impact. To support live performances, Haran and Dowling enlisted Bill Heckenberg (drums) and Tim Lumsdaine (bass). However, evolving musical trends by late 1985 led to the group’s dissolution.
In 2006, both original albums were digitally remastered and re-released on CD by What It Is Records, an independent label established by former bassist Stephen Manassah. The reissue of Conscience featured three extra tracks recorded during the London sessions. A year later, Rare & Un-Released—a compilation comprising demos, live recordings, and a bonus DVD containing music videos including "With Closed Eyes"—was made available. These reissues were distributed across the United States and Europe through Almacantar Records.
Members
- Gary Burke – drums (1984)
- Neville Dowling – keyboards, vocals (1981–1985)
- Steve Greetham – bass guitar (1984)
- Tom Haran – vocals, guitar (1981–1985)
- Bill Heckenberg – drums (1985)
- Steve Hopes – drums (1981–1983)
- Chris Jarret – guitar (1984)
- Tim Lumsdaine – bass guitar (1985)
- Stephen Manassah – bass guitar (1981–1983)
- Guy Slingerland – drums (1983)
- Andrew Wong-Yen – guitar (1981–1983)
- Vinnie Zumo – guitar (1984)
- Steve Layton – keyboards (1981)
- Al Basch – drums (1981)
Albums
| Year | Album Information | Highest Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The Expression
|
55 |
| 1985 | Conscience
|
|
| 2007 | Rare & Un-Released
|
Singles
| Year | Track Title | Associated Album | Peak Chart Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | "With Closed Eyes" | The Expression | 27 |
| "Decisions" | 91 | ||
| "Total Eclipse" | 65 | ||
| 1984 | "Present Communication" | - | |
| 1985 | "Small Brave Land" | Conscience | - |
Countdown Music Awards
Countdown, an Australian pop music television program aired on ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987, hosted music awards ceremonies between 1979 and 1987. These awards were initially organized in partnership with the magazine TV Week, combining votes from both the public and industry peers.
|- | rowspan="2" | 1983 | The Expression | Best Debut Album | |- | "With Closed Eyes" | Best Video | |-