Vertical Hold
| Company type | Music ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Music recordings (singles and album) |
Vertical Hold was a music ensemble originating from Adelaide, South Australia, active between 1980 and 1985. The group gained notable recognition regionally with multiple radio singles and produced one album that charted nationally.
Their initial single, "My Imagination" (1981), climbed to number 50 on the national Kent Music Report and secured the top position in Adelaide's local charts. Following this, "Tears of Emotion" (1982) reached number 58 across Australia, while "Shot Down (In Love)" (1983) attained the 85th spot. The video for "Shot Down (In Love)" was filmed on 16mm and directed by filmmaker Scott Hicks.
In March 1984, the band released their sole studio album, titled Vertical Hold, which peaked at number 88 on the Kent Music Report albums chart.
By 1985, the group had rebranded as The Gladiators after parting ways with cellist Hilary Frost, contributing the track "Strange Love" to the RCA compilation album S.A. Brewing.
Lead vocalist Mick Michalopoulos, also known as "Miki," passed away in 2016. His sons, Yianni and Jim Michalopoulos, later established the Melbourne-based alternative rock band Society of Beggars.
Studio albums
| Title | Details | AUS |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Hold | * Released: March 1984* Formats: LP, Cassette |
88 |
Singles
| Year | Title | AUS | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "My Imagination" | 50 (SA #1) | non-album single |
| 1982 | "Tears of Emotion" | 58 (SA #3) | non-album single |
| 1983 | "Shot Down (In Love)" | 85 (SA #28) | Vertical Hold |
| 1984 | "United States of America" | – | Vertical Hold |