The Monitors (Australian band)
| Company type | Studio-based music project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Terry McCarthy, Mark Moffatt |
| Defunct | 1982 |
Key people | Terry McCarthy, Mark Moffatt, Ricky Fataar |
| Products | Pop music recordings |
The Monitors were an Australian pop ensemble active between 1980 and 1982, mainly operating as a studio-based project spearheaded by Terry McCarthy (vocals, keyboards) alongside Mark Moffatt (guitar, bass, keyboards). Their initial single, "Singin' in the '80s" (1980), achieved a peak position of No. 16 on the Kent Music Report singles chart. The subsequent release, "Nobody Told Me" (June 1981), also secured a spot within the top 40. Their sole album, Back from Their Recent Illness (October 1982), included contributions from Ricky Fataar on drums, percussion, guitar, and keyboards. The band dissolved later that year.
History
Established in 1980 as a studio partnership between advertising professional Terry McCarthy and musician/producer Mark Moffatt, The Monitors featured a rotating lineup of guest vocalists. Prior to this project, Moffatt had been involved with groups like The Carol Lloyd Band before focusing on production roles.
Their first single, "Singin' in the '80s," was co-written by McCarthy and Moffatt with Kim Durant providing chorus vocals; it climbed to No. 16 on Australian music charts. The accompanying music video showcased twin sisters Gayle and Gillian Blakeney miming performances, adopting visual styling reminiscent of the American band KISS.
The group's only album, Back from Their Recent Illness, was issued by Festival Records in 1982 and co-produced by Moffatt along with Ricky Fataar, who had joined the lineup that year. Shortly after the album's release, The Monitors ceased activity.
Following the band's disbandment, Moffatt advanced his career as a guitarist and producer collaborating with prominent Australian artists such as The Saints, Richard Clapton, Tim Finn, Renee Geyer, Mondo Rock, Mental As Anything, Jenny Morris, and Melinda Schneider. Meanwhile, McCarthy resumed his work as an advertising executive and Fataar transitioned into record production.
Mark Moffatt died from pancreatic cancer in Nashville on 6 September 2024 at the age of 74.
Members
- Mark Moffatt – engineering/production, guitar, guitar synthesizer, pedal steel guitar, bass guitar, sequencer programming, trigger programming
- Terry McCarthy – lead and backing vocals, guitar, synthesizer
- Ricky Fataar – drums, percussion instruments, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, piano, organ, lead and backing vocals
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Back From Their Recent Illness! |
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Highest AUS chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | "Singin' in the '80s" | 16 | non-album single |
| 1981 | "Nobody Told Me" | 32 | non-album single |
| 1982 | "Who Did You Think It Was" | – | Back from Their Recent Illness! |
| 1982 | "Having You Around Me" | – | Back from Their Recent Illness! |