The Makers (Australian band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Eddie Rayner, Brian Baker |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Makers emerged as an Australian musical group established in 1988 by former Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner alongside musician Brian Baker. Their initial collaboration was on the soundtrack for the feature film Rikky and Pete. The band’s eponymous first album, launched in 1990 through Mana/WEA, yielded four singles, notably "Big Picture" and "New Kind of Blue". This debut record was co-produced by both Baker and Rayner, incorporating contributions from session artists and mixer Hugh Padgham.
In 1991, drummer Michael Barker became part of the lineup, enabling The Makers to support the American group the B-52's during their Australian tour. Their sophomore album, Hokey Pokey, appeared in 1993 under Warner Music Australasia, generating two singles: "From Now On" and "Perfect Crime". After releasing this album, the band dissolved as the founding members pursued solo endeavors. Significantly, Baker’s 2004 solo release Prague Radio featured songs co-written with Rayner.
History
Originating in Melbourne, The Makers united Baker’s background with the Ones and Rayner’s experience from Split Enz and Schnell Fenster. Their partnership began in 1985 during the production of the Ones' first single "Heart", followed by collaborative work on film scores before officially forming their band. Their debut album was issued by Warner Music Group and reflected a deliberate collaboration with industry experts to elevate production standards.
The recruitment of Barker in 1991 enhanced their live show capabilities, allowing them to open for prominent international acts and broaden their audience reach. Although commercial impact was moderate, The Makers capitalized on their professional networks and production skills to secure a foothold within the Australian rock-pop market prior to disbanding for individual pursuits.
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| The Makers |
|
104 |
| Hokey Pokey |
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1990 | "Big Picture" | 82 | The Makers |
| "New Kind of Blue" | 131 | ||
| "Daylight" | — | ||
| 1991 | "Simple Thing" | — | |
| 1992 | "From Now On" | — | Hokey Pokey |
| 1993 | "Perfect Crime" | — |