Innocents, The

When Tasmanian group Beathoven, relocated to Melbourne in 1977 they were “discovered” by American rock svengali Kim Fowley, who was so impressed with the group that he produced some tracks and made them change their name to The Innocents.

Moving to Sydney in 1980 they recorded the superbly infectious single Sooner Or Later (produced by popmeister Jim Manzie, formerly of Ol’ 55) which, after a performance on the TV music show Countdown, peaked at #2 on the Australian chart.

While in Sydney, the band also played as a comedy band called The Fabulous Beagles.

Aussie rock historian Glenn A. Baker called The Innocents “perhaps the greatest power pop band in the whole world since the demise of The Raspberries,” but RCA did not support the band, and despite brilliant singles such as Come Tonight (March 1981), the band disintegrated, with Minchin and Cracknell returning to Tasmania late in 1981.

Touber and Wirth continued briefly with new bassist Bob Smith (ex-The Affections) but called it a day at the end of 1981.

A double CD compilation album – The No-Hit Wonders From Down Under – was released in 2002, which featured much new material and rapidly sold out of its limited initial run.

Inspired by this and an increasing number of international fan letters, The Innocents regrouped to record a superb new album, Pop Factory, in 2006 and promoted it with a European tour which included gigs at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, a recording session at Abbey Road Studios and dates in Tokyo.

David Minchin
Guitar, vocals
Charles Touber
Guitar, vocals
Greg Cracknell
Bass, vocals
Rob Smith
Guitar, keyboards, vocals
Dereck Fairbrass
Drums
Jarryl Wirth
Guitar, vocals

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