In May 1978, Young Modern recorded an album’s worth of demos before recording a debut single in Melbourne.
She’s Got The Money b/w Automatic was released in October 1978, but sounded lightweight and lacked the punch of the band’s live shows. It nevertheless remains an Aussie cult classic.
The band relocated to Sydney – with Mark Carroll replacing original guitarist Michael Jones – but failed to make an impact on a live music scene still besotted by Radio Birdman, in an environment where Cold Chisel, The Radiators and The Angels reigned supreme.
Young Modern called it a day in July 1979. Dowler moved to Melbourne and formed The Zimmermen in 1983, releasing the killer single “Don’t Go To Sydney,” no doubt based on firsthand experience.
Vic Yates and Mark Kohler attempted to keep Young Modern together with new players Peter Laverick (vocals), Peter Hilton (guitar) and Mike Donovan (bass), but the line-up was short-lived.
Andrew Richards joined Sydney band The Singles (who released the superb That’s Just Someone That I Knew in February 1981), while Yates, Kohler and Donovan returned to Adelaide.
The 1978 Young Modern demos were combined with both sides of their single in December 1979 and released as an album titled Play Faster (a nod to the taunts the band was subjected to when playing Sydney venues: “Play faster, ya wimps! Play faster!”).
Young Modern reformed sporadically in 2006, 2010, and 2017, releasing a new studio album, How Insensitive (2007), and a live album, Live at the Grace Emily (2011).
The Brian Jones fringes had vanished, but the original spirit rang loud and clear.
John Dowler
Vocals Vic Yates
Guitar Michael Jones
Guitar Andrew Richards
Bass Mark Kohler
Drums Mark Carroll
Guitar Peter Laverick
Vocals Peter Hilton
Guitar Mike Donovan
Bass
Vic Yates and Mark Kohler attempted to keep Young Modern together with new players Peter Laverick (vocals), Peter Hilton (guitar) and Mike Donovan (bass), but the line-up was short-lived.
