The Reels
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | John Bliss, Craig Hooper, Dave Mason |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs |
1976–1980: Formative Period
Originating in Dubbo, New South Wales, in 1976, Native Sons featured John Bliss on drums, Craig Hooper handling lead guitar and synthesiser, and Dave Mason as the vocalist. Notably, Mason is the son of John Mason, a New South Wales parliamentarian and Liberal Party leader from 1978 to 1981. In 1977, Colin (Polly) Newham joined the group, contributing keyboards and brass.
Initially performing a mix of cover songs and original material within their local scene, the band moved to Sydney in 1978. At this time, they recruited bassist Paul Abrahams and changed their name to The Brucelanders. Their sound evolved into an energetic blend of quirky pop and ska, which helped them build a dedicated fan base along Australia's east coast live circuit and gain airplay on ABC's Double J radio station.
By 1979, after signing with Mercury Records Australia and adopting the name The Reels, the lineup comprised Abrahams, Bliss, Hooper, Mason, and Newham. Their debut single "Love Will Find a Way" entered the Australian top 40 charts. Their self-titled first album was released in November under the production of Mark Opitz—known for his work with The Angels and Cold Chisel—and was accompanied by the single "Prefab Heart." The band's unique visual style and music videos were featured prominently on ABC TV's influential program Countdown.
In July 1980, synthesiser player Karen Ansel joined from Melbourne-based band the Romantics. This lineup produced "After the News," which signified a transition toward synthesiser-centric music with minimal guitar presence. The Reels were pioneers in utilizing headset microphones during performances.
That same month saw them embark on the innovative Reels By Rail Tour across eastern Australia using train travel. Toward the end of the year, they released a Christmas-themed EP titled Five Great Gift Ideas from The Reels, produced by Bruce Brown and Russell Dunlop. This collection returned to cover songs including Jim Reeves' "According to My Heart," accompanied by a folk-inspired video filmed in New Zealand, as well as Freda Payne's "Band of Gold." It also featured an original composition co-written by Mason, Newham, Ansel, and Pamela Shalvey called "The Bombs Dropped on Xmas."
1981: Quasimodo's Dream
In May 1981, The Reels issued the single "Shout and Deliver" ahead of their album widely regarded as their finest effort, Quasimodo's Dream. This release demonstrated sophisticated songwriting, creative arrangements, and polished production values, reaching number 27 on the charts in June. Although the title track is considered one of Australia's standout singles from that period, it did not chart commercially. To promote the album, they embarked on the Kitchen Man Tour which featured a stage designed as a fully functional Australian kitchen.
Despite cultivating a strong live audience, The Reels faced challenges breaking into the top 10 charts partly due to limited commercial radio support for domestic "new wave" artists and strained relations with Mercury Records. The record label insisted on including their earlier hit "According to My Heart" on the album against the band's preferences.
Internal conflicts also impacted their progress. After completing the album recordings, Bliss departed and was succeeded by Stefan Fidock on drums. Following the Kitchen Man Tour, Ansel, Newham, and Abrahams left the band, leaving Mason, Hooper, and Fidock as a trio. They continued performing live with taped backing tracks and incorporated use of the Fairlight synthesiser in studio sessions.
1982–1985: Beautiful
Towards the end of 1982, following their contract with RCA Records, The Reels produced Beautiful, an album comprising middle-of-the-road classics infused with synthesiser-driven arrangements. RCA permitted a "Limited Collectors Edition" distribution via K-tel, a company recognized in Australia for budget compilations and extensive television advertising. To complement K-tel’s distinctive style, the album's cover art was intentionally designed to appear in "bad taste." Straddling the line between homage and satire, Beautiful became The Reels' most commercially successful release, selling over 40,000 units, reaching number 32 on the charts, and achieving gold status. Its lead single, a rendition of Burt Bacharach-Hal David's "This Guy's in Love With You", climbed to number 7 in November 1982.
In 1983, the band issued the five-track EP Pitt Street Farmers, followed by a re-recorded version of "Quasimodo's Dream" in December, which again did not enter the charts. Mason’s contraction of hepatitis compelled him to cease performing, effectively putting the group on hold. During this hiatus, Hooper joined The Church and later became part of the Mullanes (the precursor to Crowded House), while Fidock returned to Melbourne to play with Sacred Cowboys.
By late 1985, Mason had recuperated and The Reels reunited with Mason, Hooper, Bliss, and Newham. They completed their RCA obligations by releasing a single cover of Etta James's "It Must Be Love".
1986–1988: Later years
The band signed with Regular Records and unveiled a slowed-down, synthesiser-heavy cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising", which peaked at number 11 in October 1986. The arrangement prominently utilized the Vocoder voice synthesizer, which was also extensively employed during live performances to enhance Mason's vocals. At the close of 1986, Bliss departed once more and was succeeded by programmed drum tracks.
In January 1987, they released a cover of Edison Lighthouse's "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)". That year saw them embark on a tour under the "Reels By Request" concept, allowing audiences to select songs from printed lists. This approach culminated in an 'all Australian songs' edition and their subsequent studio album, Neighbors—notably spelled without the customary Australian English 'u'. The album featured thirteen Australian rock classics and included singles such as "Are You Old Enough" (originally by New Zealand band Dragon) and Cold Chisel's "Forever Now", with Steve Prestwich (the original composer) guesting on The Reels' interpretation. Additionally, it contained a new version of their own track "Shout and Deliver".
1989–1992: Breakup
In 1989, Mason appeared alongside Nick Cave in the Australian film Ghosts... of the Civil Dead. In September 1991, The Reels released "I Don't Love You Anymore", their first original single in five years, followed by a remix of "Bad Moon Rising" produced by Filthy Lucre. The band officially dissolved concurrent with the release of the compilation CD Requiem.
2007–present: Revival
In May 2007, Dave Mason unveiled his solo project Reelsville, featuring acoustic reinterpretations of Reels' well-known songs. Later that August, the compilation album Reel to Reel was released, presenting classic tracks accompanied by fresh liner notes penned by Mason himself.
By May 2008, Mason had reunited with John Bliss and Colin Newham for a series of live performances. During a September 2008 gig at the Gaelic Club in Surry Hills, Mason announced Newham’s departure from the group. After a 23-year hiatus, original bassist Paul Abrahams returned; however, the ensemble has yet to reassemble the complete original six-member lineup.
Post-Reels Activities
Craig Hooper became involved with the Church and the Mullanes—the early incarnation of Crowded House. He also contributed to recordings with Rockmelons and musician Ross Wilson.
Karen Ansel released a solo single titled No Commotion before stepping away from the music industry to establish herself as a respected film and television computer graphics expert in the United States.
Paul Abrahams collaborated with Colin Newham in Company of Strangers and later joined Peter Blakeley's band The Resurrection. His bass work also featured alongside artists such as Wendy Matthews, Ya Ya Choral, Rat Tat Tat (a project involving Peter Blakeley and Jeff Stapleton), and The Bonerattlers.
Stefan Fidock became a member of the Sacred Cowboys in 1987 and founded Fidock Drums around 2008, specializing in custom-made snares and drum kits. He passed away due to cancer in April 2020.
John Bliss co-wrote the book The A to Zen of Lawn Bowls in 1997.
In 2007, David Mason took part in the Countdown Spectacular 2 concert tour, performing "Quasimodo's Dream". That same year, he released Reelsville through Liberation Blue and held launch concerts at Sydney's The Basement and Factory Enmore Theatre. The latter event gained media attention when two audience members were arrested for drug possession.
On 26 March 2011, Mason appeared on episode 114 of the SBS TV program RocKwiz, delivering a rendition of "Quasimodo's Dream" and performing a duet with Sally Seltmann on "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone".
Living with bipolar disorder, Mason continues to perform sporadically across three projects: an acoustic duo with Brendan Gallagher from Karma County; an electronic solo presentation titled 'Dark', featuring visuals by Libby Blainey and music by Scott Saunders of Dig; both projects emphasize Reels' material. In 2017, he established Sandy Shores alongside Gallagher, Blainey, Lindy Morrison, and Amanda Brown from the Go-Betweens, playing selections from their former bands as well as original compositions.
In 2024, Chapter Music issued Mason’s solo EP Double X, which originates from a film soundtrack he composed in 1986.
Band Members
- Dave Mason – production, design, lead vocals (founding member Native Sons)
- Keith Greig – keyboards (founding member Native Sons)
- Tony Martin – bass (founding member Native Sons)
- Colin 'Polly' Newham – keyboards, vocoder, brass instruments, production, songwriting, vocals
- Craig Hooper – guitars, keyboards, saxophone, production, songwriting, vocals (founding member Native Sons)
- Paul Abrahams – bass guitar, vocals
- John Bliss – drums (founding member Native Sons)
- Karen Ansel – keyboards, design, costumes, vocals
- Stefan Fidock – drums, vocals (deceased 26 April 2020)
Timeline
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Studio albums
| Album Title | Album Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| The Reels |
|
81 |
| Quasimodo's Dream |
|
27 |
| Beautiful |
|
32 |
| Neighbors |
|
92 |
Compilations
| Compilation Title | Album Details | Peak Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Unreel | — | |
| Requiem |
|
131 |
| Reel to Reel: 1978–1992 |
|
— |
EPs
| EP Title | EP Details | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Five Great Gift Ideas from The Reels |
|
12 |
| Pitt Street Farmers |
|
— |
| The Reels 1979 EP |
|
— |
| 6 Great Gift Ideas |
|
— |
Singles
| Release Year | Single Title | Top Chart Positions |
Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1979 | "Love Will Find a Way" / "Spot the Ridge" | 39 | The Reels |
| 1980 | "Prefab Heart" / "Misused Abused" | 52 | |
| "After the News" / "Media Themes" | 65 | Quasimodo's Dream | |
| "According to My Heart" / "Love Will Find a Way" | — | ||
| 1981 | "Shout and Deliver" / "Depression" | 43 | |
| "Quasimodo's Dream" / "(Love Is) Here Today" | — | ||
| "No.3" / "1, 2, 3" / "Haunted" | 93 | ||
| 1982 | "This Guy's in Love with You" / "Cry" | 7 | Beautiful |
| 1983 | "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All" / "Science Is Golden" | — | |
| "Happiness" / "Comedy" | — |
Pitt Street Farmers |
|- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |-
Countdown Music Awards
The Australian pop music television program Countdown, broadcast on national network ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987, hosted music award ceremonies between 1979 and 1987. Initially partnered with the magazine TV Week, the TV Week / Countdown Awards featured categories determined by both public votes and industry peers.
|- |1982 | "This Guy's in Love with You" | Best Australian Single | |-
Legacy
Recognized as a seminal piece in Australian rock history, "Quasimodo's Dream" has been interpreted by various musicians including Kate Ceberano, Rob Snarski, Mick Harvey, and Jimmy Little. In 2001, the song was honored by the APRA as one of the top ten Australian songs ever.
References
- General
- Note: The archived online version has limited features.
- [1] Note: The online edition, launched in 2007 by White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd, expands upon the 2002 print version.
- Specific
External links
- Official website
- HowlSpace entry
- 1982 Trade Union Club (Sydney) setlist by "NoNightSweats"
- The Reels at Memorable TV
- The Reels on Nostalgia Central
- Liberation Blue
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).