The Crystal Set
| The Crystal Set | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | Rock, indie rock |
| Years active | 1983–1991 |
| Labels | Red Eye/Polydor |
| Associated acts |
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| Past members |
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The Crystal Set were an Australian indie rock group formed in March 1983. By 1987 the line-up was Russell Kilbey (bass and lead vocals), Phillip Maher (guitar and vocals), Davey Ray Moor (keyboards and vocals) and Tim Seckhold (drums). In April 1988 Moor was replaced by Craig Hooper, who was replaced in turn by Luke Blackburn, in May 1989. The group issued two studio albums, From Now On (May 1987) and Almost Pure (April 1991), before disbanding later that year. Russell Kilbey is the younger brother of the Church's mainstay, Steve Kilbey.
The Crystal Set were formed in March 1983 in Sydney by Russell Kilbey on bass guitar and lead vocals, Phillip Maher on lead guitar and vocals, Davey Ray Moor on keyboards and backing vocals, and Charles Ratcliffe on drums. The four members had all attended Copland College in Canberra; Kilbey and Ratcliffe had also been in a local garage band, the Puppets. After "four months of rehearsing, Crystal Set began to play all over Sydney, concentrating its performances in the 'inner-city circuit' and gradually branching out to country areas such as Bathurst and Newcastle." Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, felt that they "emerged with a refined, atmospheric brand of psychedelia and rock that drew influences from UK artists as diverse as The Cure and Brian Eno."
The Crystal Set released their first single, "A Drop in the Ocean", independently on their own Set label in December 1984. It was "designed, packaged and distributed by the band members themselves." Moor declared, "We want to gain some independence just like Midnight Oil, before we look for an agent." By May 1985 they signed to Red Eye Records, which issued their second single, "Benefit of the Doubt". Ratcliffe had left and they used studio drummers, Mark Evans on the B-side, "Don't Be Suprised", and John Lloyd on the A-side. That single had been co-produced by Kilbey's older brother, Steve Kilbey (of the Church), and Guy Gray. The first single was re-issued by Red Eye Records in November. By that time they "had built up a strong cult following around Sydney."
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