Allniters

During the late 70s/early 80s a small pub in downtown Sydney, called the Sussex Hotel, was the birthplace of the Australian Mod-revival. When the 2-Tone movement erupted in Britain (with Madness, The Specials, The Selecter etc) it was inevitable that Ska too would end up there. One of Australia's first ska bands, The Allniters, got their start at the Sussex in 1980.

The band began as a loose-knit aggregation around guitarist Martin Fabok. The band's only ambition at that stage was to have fun, although early gigs were often marred by fights between skinheads. Mods, Rude Boys and surfers.

Their first two independent singles, She Made A Monkey Out Of Me (August 1981) and You Shouldn't Stay Out Late (1982) for the Green label made only a marginal impression. At the same time, Fabok, Crysell, Taylor and a host of other musicians formed an occasional studio band called The Igniters, to play dub reggae (the only release from that vehicle was a self-titled four-track EP in 1982).

By the time The Allniters signed to Powderworks/RCA in 1983 their live reputation was formidable. The singles Hold On (May 83), a cover of Bobby Blooms Montego Bay (Sept 83) and Love and Affection (Nov 83), plus the debut album D-D-D-Dance (October) were all National Top 40 hits (Montego Bay reached Number 16). The album garnered very favourable reviews and the band entered what was to be their peak period. By this time the line-up comprised Hill-Travis, Pattinson, Ayers, Fabok, Taylor, Crysell, plus Julie Conway on vocals, Stephen Luke on trombone, Perry Andronos on bass and Dave Lennon on drums.

Following two more singles - Screaming Dreaming (August 1984) and I Saw You First (Dec 84), the band split in January 1985. By July that year though, Travis, Pattinson and Conway had revived the band with new members Mark Tanner (guitar), Peter Bolke (bass), Mark Fuccilli (sax), Ralph Franke (sax) and Dale Pandit (drums).

Further personnel changes took place, and by the following year there were more newcomers; Michael Allen (keyboards), Mickey Marnie (guitar), Simon Knapman (drums) and Troy Duncomb (bass). This new line-up recorded the single All That Easy (produced by Martin Plaza from Mental As Anything) for Mushroom Records. But by that stage the band had run its course.

TRIVIA NOTE
The video clip for All That Easy (July 1987) features Nostalgia Central founder and Managing Editor Dave Turner, dancing in front of the band (he's the one in the fake spectacles!).

Email this page to a friend

Peter Hill-Travis
Vocals
Brett Pattinson
Vocals
Martin Fabok
Guitar
Stuart Crysell
Guitar
Ted Ayers
Sax
Mark Taylor
Keyboards
Graham Hood
Bass
Dave Betts
Drums
Julie Conway
Vocals
Stephen Luke
Trombone
Perry Andronos
Bass
Dave Lennon
Drums
Mark Tanner
Guitar
Peter Bolke
Bass
Mark Fuccilli
Sax
Ralph Franke
Sax
Dale Pandit
Drums