Young Elders
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Phil Hawkins, Chris Heazlewood, Peter Heazlewood, Ross Jackson |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Young Elders was a pop rock ensemble originating from Melbourne, Australia, established in 1982 by Phil Hawkins, Chris Heazlewood, Peter Heazlewood, and Ross Jackson. Their early career focused on the contemporary Christian music scene, where they appeared at prominent gatherings such as the National Christian Youth Convention in 1987 and the Black Stump Music and Arts Festival in 1990. In 1991, the group expanded their reach into Melbourne's mainstream music environment after winning a segment of the 3RRR Reel-to-Real contest with their track "Real Town," which Michael Parisi of Warner Music Australia described as a "pleasing blend reminiscent of Kiwi influences and XTC."
With backing from Greg Macainsh, formerly the bassist for Skyhooks, Young Elders produced their 1993 four-song extended play titled Fly Monica Fly. Critics commended the EP for its confident guitar-driven pop and vibrant, memorable melodies. The EP’s title song, penned by Peter Heazlewood for a friend facing emotional hardship, gained broader attention when tennis champion Monica Seles, recovering from her 1993 stabbing incident, identified it as a source of inspiration. After the 1996 Australian Open, Seles met the band and they performed the piece live for her; this moment was featured on ESPN.
In 1999, the band adopted the name The Monicas and launched their album Celebration, which Rolling Stone Australia highlighted for its "emotionally candid lyrics" and "acoustic-oriented pop sound." Known as one of Australia's longest-standing Christian music groups, The Monicas concluded their journey with a final show at Melbourne's Continental Café in May 2000.
Members
- Phil Hawkins – guitar, vocals (1982–2000)
- Chris Heazlewood – bass, vocals (1982–1988)
- Peter Heazlewood – lead vocals (1982–2000)
- Ross Jackson – drums (1982–2000)
- Paul Taylor – bass, vocals (1985–2000)
Discography
- Fly Monica Fly (EP, 1993) Disctronics/Studio 52 52CD058
- Celebration (1999) Blah-Blah-Blah Records BBB0134 (as The Monicas)
- Compilation Appearances
- "Flags of Metal" featured on Nu-Music Sampler Series 3 (Studio 52 records) (1991)
- "Fly Monica Fly" included in Nu-Music Sampler Series 7 (Studio 52 records) (1997)
- "Fly Monica Fly" also on The Big Backyard (1999) (credited as The Monicas)