George (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = "george"


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Brisbane, Australia
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1996–2004 (hiatus)
Label = Festival Mushroom
URL = [http://www.george.net.au/ Official website]
Current_members = Katie Noonan
Tyrone Noonan
Geoff Green
Paulie Bromley
Nick Stewart
Past_members = Geoff Hooton

"george" is a rock band from Brisbane, Australia. Their first album, Polyserena reached #1 in the Australian Charts on 17 March 2002 [Oz Net Music Charts: [http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/archive/a02_01_04.htm] ] .

History

The band consists of Katie Noonan on vocals and keyboards, her brother Tyrone Noonan on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Geoff Green on drums and percussion, Paulie Bromley on bass and Nick Stewart on acoustic and electric guitar. Geoff Hooton, a bass player left the band in early 2000.

The Noonans form the nucleus of the band sharing principal songwriting duties. Nick Stewart also contributes to many of the bands tunes. The Noonans grew up with a strong background in classical music with their mother Maggie Noonan being a well-known opera singer. Katie Noonan studied opera and jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium.

Nick Stewart grew up listening to and playing rock music. Paulie Bromley played in underground Brisbane rock band Pangaea with Ben Ely of Regurgitator. Geoff Green has been playing the drums since 1987, and studied music at the Queensland University of Technology.

The band formed in 1996 to enter a university music competition. It released a series of independent EPs namely "george" in 1998, "You Can Take What's Mine" in 1999 and "Bastard-son/Holiday" in 2000. The EPs did progressively better earning good airplay on Triple J Radio and community radio stations across Australia. "george" was also winning a strong live following throughout the nation.

"george" signed with Festival Mushroom Records in mid 2001. "Special Ones" was the first single released on Festival Records followed by "Run" in October 2001 and "Breathe in Now" in February 2002. From this time the band toured heavily, becoming one of the countries hardest working live bands. Gareth "gigpiglet" Stuckey was tour manager and FOH engineer, and formed a crew including Tim Peterson on monitors, and Chad Spencer on Lights. this crew continued to serve the band until the release of Unity.

The band's first album "Polyserena" debuted at #1 in the national album charts in its first week; "george" became only the tenth Australian band to do so with a debut album. "Polyserena" achieved gold record status within ten days, and platinum record status within three weeks. By the end of 2002, the album had gone double platinum. It had spent 36 weeks in the top 50. [Australian Charts: [http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=George+%5BAUS%5D&titel=Polyserena&cat=a] ]

In January 2003, the band joined forces with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra over two nights (23rd & 25th) to perform Concerto for Group and Orchestra by Jon Lord. The band is the only rock group other than Deep Purple to perform the piece.It was typical of the band's eclectic approach combining classical, rock, funk, jazz and even electronic music.

"george" released the album "Unity" in February 2004 and it debuted at #5 in the Australian album chart of 1 March 2004. Katie Noonan says on the band's web site that the title reflects the band's approach on the album. "That family vibe brings a closeness and honesty that permeates what we do. Collectively and individually, we've been through a great period of change and growth. Knowing we can look to each other for strength brings comfort and solidarity. We have all been through the same thing and there's an incredible sense of union from that experience - that's what being in a band's about."

Katie Noonan married Isaac Hurren, her long-time partner and collaborator in Elixir, and has made an ARIA-winning album with Paul Grabowsky. Noonan and Hurren have two boys, Dexter Reed and Jonah Atticus Roc.

"george" last performed live in Brisbane on 22 December 2004 [ [http://www.george.net.au/index.php?module=concert&func=view&startnum=43&what=allconc Official website] ] and are currently on hiatus whilst individual members attend to their own projects. While there are no immediate plans to regroup and perform or record new material, the band will endeavour to make a comeback at some stage.The band reformed for what has now become their final show, on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House on Friday 21 January 2005. Gareth Stuckey rejoined the crew for this show, along with Tim Millikan, and Boi Compton. Thirsty Merc supported the performance.

Discography

Albums/EPs

ingles

References

External links

* [http://www.george.net.au/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/georgetheband Official MySpace]