Porcelain Bus were an Australian rock and R&B group formed in late 1985 by Ian James on lead vocals, Robert McKiernan on lead guitar and vocals, John Nolan on drums and Paul Patrick on bass guitar. They released two studio albums ''Talking to God'' (October 1988) and ''Fragile'' (July 1990). After touring Europe in late 1990 they returned to Australia where they toured its east coast before breaking up in 1991.

History

Porcelain Bus were formed in Sydney in late 1985 by Ian James on lead vocals, Robert McKiernan on lead guitar and vocals, John Nolan on drums and Paul Patrick on bass guitar. * 1st edition: * 2nd edition: James, McKiernan and Patrick were school friends and had formed Mr Pharmacist early in 1985 as a 1960s acid-punk/R&B group. Porcelain Bus were named for a euphemism for vomiting, "driving the porcelain bus". The group's debut single "Indignation" (August 1986) was produced by

Rob Younger Rob Younger (born Robert Kent Younger) is an Australian rock musician, vocalist, songwriter and producer. He is a founding mainstay of the punk rock group, Radio Birdman, and a pioneer of the local independent music scene. Radio Birdman, forme ...

. Australian musicologist

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observed that it "defined the band's sound (sparse, melodic guitar and husky vocals laid over a dark, rumbling rhythm section)." Their second single, "The Well is Dry" (July 1987) and a six-track extended play, ''Steel Bros'' (1987) were both produced by Brett Myers (of Died Pretty) for

Citadel Records Citadel Records is an independent record label from Sydney, Australia. It was established in the early 1980s by John Needham. Bands released through Citadel include Died Pretty, Deniz Tek, Kim Salmon and the Surrealists, The Trilobites, Porcelain ...

. On the EP's lead track "Talk to Me" Astrid Munday guested on backing vocals. Jim Dwyer of '' Tharunka'' praised James' "appealing" vocals on "The Well Is Dry" and its use of

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and

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. Dwyer found ''Steel Bros'' to be an "absolutely excellent a killer record." Myers also produced their debut studio album ''Talking to God'', which was issued in October 1988. ''Nostalgia Central''s writer felt it "presented a great mix of strong rockers and softer tracks". It provided two singles "Own Little World" (October) and "Rats" (June 1989). Adam Toole replaced Nolan on drums in November 1989. The group issued their second album ''Fragile'' in July 1990, which included the single "Blue on Blue" (June). The album was described by Penelope Layland of '' The Canberra Times'' as "excellent" and displaying "rich guitar rock with a '60s edge and a dominant, complex rhythm line." Citadel Records authorised a compilation album ''Sacred Relics'' (1990) for release in Europe and the group supported it with a European tour later that year. Upon return to Australia they undertook an east coast tour and disbanded in 1991. In 1995 Ian James (as Ian Towart) and Rob McKiernan formed Gentle Assassins as a "hard rocknpop and alt.country" five-piece band. Other members were Iain Jepson on keyboards, Andrew Lay on drums and James Lacey on bass guitar and vocals. The group released their debut album ''They Knew too Much'' (March 2005) via Endgame Records, which was produced by Shane Fahey.

Members

* Ian James ( Ian Towart) – lead vocals * Robert McKiernan – lead guitar, vocals * John Nolan – drums, vocals * Paul Patrick – bass guitar * Adam Toole – drums

Discography

Albums

* ''Talking to God'' (October 1988) –

* ''Fragile'' (July 1990) – Citadel/ Festival Records , Blue Mosque * ''Sacred Relics'' (compilation, 1990) – Citadel , Blue Mosque/Festival Records

Extended plays

* ''Steel Bros'' – Citadel Records

Singles

* "Indignation" (1986) – Citadel Records * "The Well is Dry" (1987) – Citadel Records * "Own Little World" (1988) – Citadel Records * "Rats" (1989) – Citadel Records * "Blue on Blue" (1990) – Blue Mosque Records

References

External links

*
"Porcelain Bus"
at ''Divine Rites'' {{Authority control, qid=Q115817576 Musical groups established in 1985 Musical groups disestablished in 1991 Musical groups from Sydney