The Whitlams
Bio
With poignant melodies and lyrics described as “charming cynicisms”, the Whitlams are one of Australia's favourite bands. Over their decade long career, the band has released seven studio albums, toured the globe, won numerous awards, and suffered the loss of two original members.
The 1996 suicide of founding member Stevie Plunder almost spelt the end of a band whose career had barely begun. Tragically, Andy Lewis, another original member, also committed suicide in 1999. Tim Freedman, who spent four years with Stevie and Andy, contemplated continuing with a new name, but decided against it.
For the last six years the line up has gone through only minor changes and currently consists of Tim Freedman (vocals, piano), Jak Housden (guitar), Warwick Hornby (bass, backing vocals), Terepai Richmond (drums), and Mike "Gubby" Gubb (keyboards).
The Whitlams won Group of the Year at the 1998 Australian Record Industry Awards, as well as Best Song and Best Independent Release for their album, Eternal Nightcap (1997). They are currently touring in Australia to promote their latest release, 2006's Little Cloud.
Source: The official website of the Whitlams
Relationship to Blue Rodeo
- The Whitlams came to Canada and opened for a
number of shows in Blue Rodeo's The Days
In Between tour in January and February 2000.
- Blue Rodeo opened for a number of The Whitlams
gigs on their Australian tour in May of 2000.
- Blue Rodeo flew back to Australia for the
Olympics in September 2000 as part of the Canadian contingent
and played a number of shows with The Whitlams again.
Quotes
"We get to the theatre while Blue Rodeo are sound checking. 'They're a country band,' whispers Gubby incredulously. I reassure him: 'They've got country bits Gubby, don't panic.' I've heard a few of the albums and they're more a rock band in the tradition of The Band and The Byrds - with some country bits." - Tim Freedman (The Whitlams tour diary)
"They did real well opening for us, people quite liked them. As a group of musicians they're a pretty tight act, and Tim's a good singer, very catchy tunes and so our audiences were very receptive. He's got a sort of a smart-ass sense of humour and he'd introduce the songs and get a chuckle and gave a context to the song and I think the people appreciated the lyrics." - Greg Keelor, May 16, 2000 - The Drum Media
"The two singers, Jim and Greg, play tag-team like the Whitlams did with Stevie and I the first four years." - Tim Freedman (The Whitlams' tour diary)
"Loved a ripper song of Greg's in the first encore - "Lost Together" - which kept building longer than I thought it could." - Tim Freedman (The Whitlams' tour diary)
Related Web Links/h3>
The Official Site of The Whitlams
Last Updated
April 2007