Weddings Parties Anything
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Weddings Parties Anything was a Melbourne-based Australian folk rock group established in 1984, remaining active until 1999. Their band name drew inspiration from the song "Revolution Rock" by The Clash. Music expert Billy Pinnell regarded their first album as the most outstanding Australian rock debut since Skyhooks released Living in the 70's.
Fronted by Mick Thomas, the only member to remain throughout the band's existence, they achieved prominence with the track "Father's Day," which secured the Song of the Year and was shortlisted for Single of the Year at the 1993 ARIA awards. Renowned for their lively stage presence, their yearly Christmas concerts at Melbourne's Central Club Hotel became a signature event from the late 1980s through to 1998.
Following their disbandment, Weddings Parties Anything occasionally reunited for live shows. In November 2012, they were inducted into the EG Hall of Fame, with Mick Thomas suggesting that this would mark their final performance. Nonetheless, the band returned for two shows in Victoria in March 2021.
1984–1986: Formation years
Originating from Geelong, Victoria, Australia, Mick Thomas played in bush bands before relocating to Melbourne in 1981. After several years performing within Melbourne's pub rock circuit with groups such as Where's Wolfgang and Trial, Thomas established the initial lineup of Weddings, Parties, Anything towards the end of 1984.
Thomas sought to merge the intensity of punk rock with folk-style narrative songwriting, centering the group around his composition "Away, Away."
In early 1985, original accordionist Wendy Joseph was succeeded by Mark Wallace. After an unsuccessful advertisement campaign, Thomas reached out to music schools and discovered Wallace, who brought experience from playing in his father’s Scottish Club band and shared an enthusiasm for modern accordion techniques.
Guitarist Dave Steel (formerly of Strange Tenants and Fire Down Below) joined the ensemble. Alongside original drummer David Adams, this quartet released a self-titled EP under their own Suffering Tram label.
By the time they issued their single cover of Tex Morton's "Sergeant Small," the lineup consisted of Thomas, Wallace, Steel, bassist Janine Hall (ex-member of The Saints), and drummer Marcus Schintler. Schintler had previously collaborated with Thomas in Melbourne’s Little Murders. Early versions of "Away, Away" and "The River is Wide" were crafted by Clarke, Schintler, and Thomas but were never performed live. The song "Sergeant Small," originally written in the 1930s about Queensland Railway Police, faced a ban shortly after its Australian release.
1987–1995: First albums and success
In April 1987, Weddings Parties Anything delivered their debut album Scorn of the Women. Initially released independently, its success led to a recording contract with Warners. After Janine Hall left the group, Peter Lawler joined on bass and mandolin. The band then recorded Roaring Days in 1988. That year brought them their first ARIA Award for Best New Talent and another in 1989 for Best Indigenous Release with Roaring Days.
Dave Steel departed in 1988 due to fatigue and creative differences; he released a solo album in 1989. Richard Burgman replaced him for their 1989 album The Big Don't Argue and subsequent tours. This album earned them a third ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release; however, they again chose to boycott the ceremony. The band parted ways with Warners in 1990.
The following three years were dominated by touring activities, with only one EP issued in 1990: The Weddings Play Sports (and Falcons), featuring covers from The Sports and Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons. In 1992, after signing with RooArt, they released Difficult Loves, which introduced new guitarist Paul Thomas. The single "Father's Day" climbed to No. 29 on ARIA charts and secured nominations for 'Single of the Year' while winning 'Song of the Year' at the 1993 ARIA Awards. This lineup—Michael Thomas, Paul Thomas, Mark Wallace, Marcus Schintler, and Peter Lawler—produced King Tide in 1993; it reached No. 45 on charts with its single "Monday's Experts" also attaining No. 45.
After completing tours supporting King Tide, Marcus Schintler exited to focus on family commitments and pursued a career within government. A year later, Peter Lawler left to concentrate on his solo projects and collaborations with artists such as Jimmy Barnes and Tim Rogers.
1996–present: Revival with a refreshed lineup
Thomas reassembled the group, and by 1996, Weddings, Parties, Anything had a revamped lineup ready to unveil their first independent release, Donkey Serenade. This new formation featured Jen Anderson (violin, mandolin; previously with The Black Sorrows), Michael Barclay (drums; formerly of Paul Kelly & The Messengers), and Stephen O'Prey (bass; ex-member of The Badloves), alongside Michael Thomas, Paul Thomas, and Mark Wallace. Their musical direction evolved from folk roots toward a more alternative country style. The band concentrated primarily on the Australian audience, significantly scaling back overseas tours.
In 1997, they issued their final studio album, Riveresque, through Mushroom/Sony. By 1998, the band paused activities to explore individual solo ventures, including Michael Thomas’s theatrical work Over in the West.
Weddings, Parties, Anything initially earned recognition through relentless touring but did not achieve major commercial breakthroughs. Nevertheless, they cultivated a loyal fan community known as the "Wedheads," which provided enduring support throughout their career.
Following the group's hiatus, members embarked on separate endeavors. Thomas pursued a solo path and established The Sure Thing with varying personnel. He also co-founded Croxton Records alongside Nick Corr and authored or co-authored theatrical productions such as Over in the West and The Tank, while building a reputation as a music producer and sound engineer.
Jen Anderson crafted live musical accompaniments for silent films including Pandora's Box and The Sentimental Bloke at the Melbourne International Film Festival. She toured with Tiddas, Paul Kelly, and Archie Roach, composed scores for Clara Law’s feature film The Goddess of 1967 and the television mini-series Simone de Beauvoir's Babies. Anderson has also contributed to projects by Dave Graney, Hunters and Collectors, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, in addition to producing albums for Ruby Hunter and the Waifs.
Subsequent reunions
Weddings, Parties, Anything regrouped for the Community Cup Australian rules football event in July 2005 and performed a warm-up show two nights earlier at Melbourne's Corner Hotel. They came together once more for a single appearance at the Queenscliff Music Festival in November 2006.
In January 2008, the band announced tour dates for March and April to celebrate their Ten Year Reunion Tour 2008, which included an international gig at London's Astoria on 25 April (ANZAC Day). They sold out four consecutive performances at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel, adding a fifth show that surpassed the previous attendance record set by Hilltop Hoods in 2004.
The group held Grand Final Eve concerts in Melbourne during 2010, 2011, and 2012.
On 20 November 2012, Weddings, Parties, Anything were inducted into the EG Hall of Fame (Entertainment Guide – The Age). At this Melbourne event held at Billboard The Venue, joined by original guitarist Dave Steel, they performed their debut album Scorn of the Women in its entirety. Mick Thomas shared via social media that this would serve as the band’s final show, providing a farewell to their long-time supporters.
The band reunited for two performances on 27 and 28 March 2021 at Victoria’s Archies Creek Hotel as preparation for their planned appearance at Byron Bay Bluesfest, which was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Live shows and Christmas events
Weddings, Parties, Anything. gained recognition for their vibrant live performances, featuring tracks such as "A Tale They Won't Believe," which tells the story of Alexander Pearce, a convict-era cannibal from Tasmania, often sparking intense mosh pit activity. During the song "Ticket in Tatts," fans traditionally tossed coins in reference to the lyric "ten cents short of a dollar."
Their renowned yearly Christmas concerts were hosted at Richmond's Central Club Hotel from the late 1980s through 1998. Due to increasing popularity, the event expanded to a week-long series of shows during its final year. In the liner notes of the live album They Were Better Live, lead vocalist and songwriter Mick Thomas reminisced about the venue's distinctive qualities and ambiance that characterized these performances.
Live recordings
Selections from the 1998 concerts along with a 1999 performance at Perth’s Belvoir Amphitheatre were compiled into the double live album They Were Better Live. This album received an ARIA nomination in 1999 for Best Blues & Roots Album. The concluding show also inspired Victorian playwright Ross Mueller to create A Party in Fitzroy, a play that captures the poignant emotional shift experienced by both audience and band members.
Musical style
Weddings, Parties, Anything. blended elements of Australian indie and garage rock with 1960s folk, punk, and later country influences, generally categorized as a folk rock ensemble. Their fan base gravitated towards mainstream rock, enriched by Celtic sounds and traditional Australian ballads like "Streets of Forbes" and "Sergeant Small," alongside original compositions by Thomas rooted in colonial-era folklore such as "A Tale They Won't Believe." Canadian critic Jeremy Mouat highlighted their emphasis on bridging history and contemporary life through memory and tradition. They played a leading role in Melbourne’s alt-country movement and were frequently likened to contemporaries The Pogues, with whom they toured across Australia in the early 1990s.
Band members
Current
- Mick Thomas (vocals, guitar, mandolin) 1984–1999, reunion periods from 2005–
- Mark Wallace (piano accordion, keyboards, vocals) 1985–1999, reunion periods from 2005–
- Paul Thomas (guitar, pedal steel) 1989–1999, reunion periods from 2005–
- Michael Barclay (drums, vocals) 1993–1999, reunion periods from 2005–
- Stephen O'Prey (bass guitar, guitar, vocals) 1993–1999, reunion periods from 2005–
- Jen Anderson (violin, mandolin, guitar, vocals) 1992–1999, reunion periods from 2005–
Previous members
- Dave Adams (drums) 1984–1986
- Richard Burgman (guitar, mandolin, tin whistle, vocals) 1988–1989
- Paul Clarke (guitar) 1984–1985
- Janine Hall (bass guitar, vocals) 1986–1987, deceased 2008
- Wendy Joseph (violin) 1984
- Peter Lawler (bass guitar, vocals) 1987–1993
- Marcus Schintler (drums, melodica, vocals) 1986–1993
- Dave Steel (guitar, vocals) 1985–1988
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | AUS | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scorn of the Women |
|
52 | |
| Roaring Days |
|
46 | |
| The Big Don't Argue |
|
58 | |
| Difficult Loves |
|
22 |
|
| King Tide |
|
20 | |
| Donkey Serenade |
|
— | |
| River'esque |
|
34 |
Live albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| They Were Better Live |
|
44 |
| 2008 Ten Year Reunion Tour |
|
— |
Compilation albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| No Show Without Punch |
|
— |
| Trophy Night: The Best of Weddings Parties Anything |
|
26 |
Extended plays
| Title | EP information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Weddings Parties Anything |
|
— |
| Goat Dancing on the Tables |
|
— |
| The Weddings Play Sports (and Falcons) |
|
93 |
Singles
DVD/video
- Live in Richmond/Christmas at the Central Club VHS – A live set of 18 tracks recorded in 1993 at Melbourne's Central Club, including interviews with the band members.
- Into Time On VHS – Features a 20-song live show performed on 16 October 1998 at the Metropolis Nightclub in Perth.
- Siren VHS – Captures the band's final official concert held at Perth's Belvoir Amphitheatre in January 1999.
- Long Time Between Drinks DVD/CD – Documenting a live performance from the Queenscliff Music Festival in November 2006; this release also contains music videos and the film Roaring Days. Issued in December 2007.
ARIA Music Awards
Since their inception in 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements and creativity within Australian music. Weddings Parties Anything earned four wins out of seven nominations. The group notably boycotted two award ceremonies to protest their placement in the Best Indigenous Release category, which they contested as unsuitable.
| Year | Title | Highest chart positions |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1986 | "Sergeant Small"/"Go! Move! Shift!" | — | Template:Non-album single |
| 1987 | "Hungry Years" | — | Scorn of the Women |
| "Away, Away" | 92 | ||
| "Shotgun Wedding" | — | ||
| 1988 | "Say the Word" | — | Roaring Days |
| "Tilting at Windmills" | — | ||
| 1989 | "The Wind and the Rain"/"Marie Provost" | — | The Big Don't Argue |
| "Streets of Forbes"/"Missing in Action" | 113 | ||
| 1990 | "Darlin' Please" | 136 | |
| "Reckless" | 151 | Weddings Play Sports and Falcons | |
| 1991 | "Father's Day" | 29 | Difficult Loves |
| "Step In, Step Out" | 60 | ||
| 1993 | "Monday's Experts" | 45 | King Tide |
| "The Rain in My Heart" | 85 | ||
| 1994 | "Island of Humour" | 106 | |
| 1996 | "Luckiest Man" | 85 | Riveresque |
| 1997 | "Don't Need Much" | 102 | |
| 1988 | Scorn of the Women | Best New Talent | |
| 1989 | Roaring Days | Best Indigenous Release | |
| 1990 | The Big Don't Argue | Best Indigenous Release | |
| Best Cover Art | |||
| 1993 | "Father's Day" | Song of the Year | |
| Single of the Year | |||
| 1999 | They Were Better Live | Best Blues and Roots Album |
The Age EG AwardsThe Music Victoria Awards, previously known as the Age EG Awards, have annually honored Victorian musical talent since 2005. |
| 2012 | Weddings, Parties, Anything | Hall Of Fame |
External links |
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups from Melbourne
- ARIA Award winners
- 1984 establishments in Australia
- 1999 disestablishments in Australia
- Musical groups established in 1984
- Musical groups disestablished in 1999
- Australian rock music groups
- Australian folk rock groups
- Australian alternative country groups