Nursery Crimes (band)

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Nursery Crimes
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresHardcore, punky power pop
Years active1989 (1989)–1994 (1994), 2006 (2006)–2007 (2007), 2017, 2023
LabelsAu Go Go, Shock, Normal, Survival, MDS
MembersPhil Rose, David Dixon, James McInnes, Shane Bush, Lonny Finn.
Past members
  • Paddy Chong
  • Dave Dixon
  • Russell Hopkinson
  • Caine Knight
  • Phil Rose
  • Davarj Thomas
  • James Masson
  • James McIness
  • Chris Latham
  • Ross Hetherington

Nursery Crimes were a hardcore band from Melbourne. They formed in early 1989 by Phil Rose on lead vocals. They played both locally and around Australia before disbanding in 1994. They released two full length albums, some singles and extended plays. Their debut releases were "All Torn up Inside" (1989 single), No Time for That Crime (1990 extended play, on pink bubblegum vinyl) and Fun Hurts! (May 1992, studio album). They were early pioneers and supporters of "all-ages", no-alcohol gigs, to allow a wider and younger audience to experience live music. Nursery Crimes were a support act on Australian tours by L7, Henry Rollins, Faith No More, Fugazi and All. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how Nursery Crimes' "sound was built around melodic yet crunching guitar riffs, frenetic arrangements, rapid fire lead vocals and sweet harmonies". The group reunited for a series of gigs in 2006.

History[edit]

Nursery Crimes formed in Melbourne in early 1989 by Paddy Chong on bass guitar; Dave Dixon on guitar and backing vocals; Caine Knight on lead guitar; Russell Hopkinson on drums (ex-Vicious Circle,[1] Bamboos,[2] Kryptonics,[3] Cremator); and Phil Rose (aka Richard Andrew Rose)[4] on lead vocals (ex-Slush Puppies).[5][6] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how their "sound was built around melodic yet crunching guitar riffs, frenetic arrangements, rapid fire lead vocals and sweet harmonies".[5]

Their debut single, "All Torn up Inside", was issued on Au Go Go Records late in the following year, together with their extended play, No Time for That Crime.[5] Chong left the group to join Girl Monstar and then The Fuck Fucks,[7][8] he was replaced on bass guitar by Davarj Thomas, who also provided backing vocals.[5][6]

Nursery Crimes left Au Go Go and joined Survival Records, and in 1990 they released another EP, Marked by Time, which was produced by Kaj Dahlstrom.[9] For the European market, the group provided a compilation album, What Do You Know (Anyway)? on Normal Records.[5][6] In April 1991 they issued their second single, "Eleanor Rigby", a cover version of The Beatles' 1966 song.[5] Knight was replaced on lead guitar by James Masson, who added piano.[5][6]

The group's debut studio album, Fun Hurts!, appeared in May 1992.[5] It was co-produced by the band and Dahlstrom.[6] McFarlane described it as "amphetamine-charged".[5] By the end of that year Masson was replaced on guitar by James McInnes, and Chris Latham replaced Hopkinson on drums who joined You Am I.[5][6]

In August 1993 the group released another EP, Something's Wrong with Our Heroes, and undertook a national tour to support it.[5] Early the following year Nursery Crimes disbanded.[5] During their career Nursery Crimes were a support act on Australian tours by L7, Henry Rollins, Faith No More, Fugazi and All.[10] Thomas later joined pre.shrunk (1996–2003).[6] In 1994 McInnes and Rose formed Shreen, McFarlane compared the two groups "Like Nursery Crimes, Shreen's sound combined melodic pop hooks, incisive guitar riffs, tight harmonies and rapid tempos".[5] Dixon later joined the same group, which disbanded in 1996.[5]

Rose has co-written material for Bodyjar, a Melbourne-based punk rock group.[11][12] In mid-2006 Nursery Crimes reunited for a series of gigs in October and November with the line up of Dixon, Rose, Thomas, and McIness, joined by Ross Hetherington on drums (ex-Bodyjar).[13][14]

In 2017, the band reunited again to open for Descendents; with Frenzal Rhomb drummer Gordy Forman filling in on drums.

In 2018 Rose was a co-writer & member of the collective TQX who released a debut LP 'Global Intimacy'. The record featured contributions from a variety of artists including: SIA, Barney McAll & Kool AD.

In 2023, the band reunited to play shows with The Hard Ons with a new line-up consisting of Phil Rose, David Dixon, James McInnes along with Shane Bush on Bass & Lonny Finn (28 Days) on drums. The band will also be playing shows in October 2023 with The Descendents in Sydney & Melbourne.

Members[edit]

  • Paddy Chong – bass guitar (1989–1990)
  • Dave Dixon – guitar, vocals (1989–1994, 2006–2007, 2017, 2023)
  • Russell Hopkinson – drums, percussion (1989–1992)
  • Caine Knight – guitar (1989–1991)
  • Phil Rose – vocals (1989–1994, 2006–2007, 2017, 2023)
  • Davarj Thomas – bass guitar (1991–1994, 2006–2007, 2017)
  • James Masson – guitar, piano (1991–1992)
  • James McIness – guitar (1992–1994, 2006–2007, 2017, 2023)
  • Chris Latham – drums (1992–1994)
  • Ross Hetherington – drums (2006–2007)
  • Gordy Forman - drums (2017)
  • Shane Bush - Bass (2023)
  • Lonny Finn - Drums (2023)

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • What Do You Know (Anyway)? (compilation album, 1990) – Rattlesnake Records, Shock Records/Normal Records (RAT 510)
  • Fun Hurts! (1992) – Survival Records (SUR518 CD/469146.2)

Extended plays[edit]

  • No Time for That Crime (1990) – Au Go Go Records (ANDA 117)
  • Marked by Time (1990) – Au Go Go Records, Survival Records (SUR702CD)
  • Something's Wrong with Our Heroes (August 1993) – MDS (ABC123)

Singles[edit]

  • "All Torn Up Inside" – (1989)
  • "Eleanor Rigby" – (1991)
  • "Marked By Time" - (1992)

References[edit]

General
  • McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 27 September 2013. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
Specific
  1. ^ McFarlane, 'Vicious Circle' entry. Archived from the original on 6 April 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  2. ^ McFarlane, 'The Bamboos' entry. Archived from the original on 27 April 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  3. ^ McFarlane, 'The Kryptonics' entry. Archived from the original on 7 August 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  4. ^ "'All Torn Up Inside' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n McFarlane, 'Nursery Crimes' entry. Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Holmgren, Magnus; Tyndall, Joel; Dixon, David. "Nursery Crimes". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  7. ^ McFarlane, 'Girl Monstar' entry. Archived from the original on 9 August 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  8. ^ McFarlane, 'The Band Who Shot Liberty Valance' entry. Archived from the original on 30 September 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  9. ^ Marked by Time (cover notes). Nursery Crimes. SUR702CD. 1990. Survival Records.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Beat Magazine[permanent dead link] Nursery Crimes
  11. ^ Smith, Toby (4 September 2009). "Bodyjar Announce Final Tour Ever". Music Feeds. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  12. ^ "'Time to Grow Up' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 30 September 2013. Note: User may have to select 'Search again' tab and enter at 'Performer:' Bodyjar
  13. ^ "Ruby's Gig Guide: Nursery Crimes – Reunion Show". Ruby's Lounge. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  14. ^ "Nursery Crimes Say: 'Get a Proper Haircut Punk!!!!'". Indie Initiative. Retrieved 30 September 2013.

External links[edit]