Primary (band)

Primary
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Rock, techno rock
Years active 1995 (1995)–2003 (2003)
Labels Warner
Associated acts
Past members
  • John Bousfield
  • Jamie Fonti
  • Sean Fonti
  • Connie Mitchell
  • Paul Wheeler
  • Jason Howard

Primary were an Australian techno rock band which formed in 1995 by John Bousfield on lead guitar, the Fonti brothers: Jamie on keyboards and Sean on bass guitar (both ex-Caligula), and Connie Mitchell on lead vocals. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, the group were "Dominated by South African-born [Mitchell]'s hyperactive and full-frontal vocals, with thunderous electronic rock underpinning the music, Primary sounded like a techno Skunk Anansie. Jamie Fonti coined the phrase 'Hybrid Electronica Rock' in order to describe the band's sound." The group released two albums, This Is the Sound (June 1999) and Watching the World (28 May 2001). They disbanded late in 2003.

History

Primary formed in 1995 in Sydney as a techno rock group by John Bousfield on lead guitar, the Fonti brothers Jamie on keyboards and Sean on bass guitar (both ex-Caligula), and Connie Mitchell on lead vocals.[1] The Fontis had played in My Heart Bleeds for You, a mid-1980's punk, hardcore band. Sean was then in Massappeal (1987-90), Caligula from (1989-94) and Def FX (1995-97). The Fonti brothers had met Mitchell in a recording studio in 1994, while they recorded demo tracks for Caligula.[2] When that project finished Jamie and Mitchell started writing tracks together while Sean was a member of Def FX.[2]

Primary's first recording, a five-track extended play, Vicious Precious,[3] produced by Paul McKercher and Ollie J, was released in March 1998,[1] and featured Paul Wheeler (ex-Icehouse) on drums.[4] Bousfield left the band in 1999.

Nick Launay produced the band's first full-length album, This Is the Sound, which appeared in June that year on WEA/Warner.[1] It peaked in the ARIA Albums Chart top 40.[5] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, felt it was "an accomplished album that boasted state-of-the-art production values, and a batch of reverberating tracks."[1] He described how the group were "Dominated by South African-born [Mitchell]'s hyperactive and full-frontal vocals, with thunderous electronic rock underpinning the music, Primary sounded like a techno Skunk Anansie. Jamie Fonti coined the phrase 'Hybrid Electronica Rock' in order to describe the band's sound."[1]

Jason Howard joined Primary on lead guitar and made his performance debut in April 1999.[1] They became known for their energetic live shows, with Mitchell's on-stage presence and costumes a talking point. Their second album, Watching the World, was released on 28 May 2001.[6] Australian music journalist, Ed Nimmervoll, declared it to be his Album of the Week: "they kept the focus on the songs. In the end Primary offer music with many layers of interest. [Mitchell]'s lyrics are a strong counterpoint to the depth of the band's music."[7]

The band announced on their website on 24 April 2002 that they were recording demos for a proposed third album,[8] but it was not released. They played a gig in November 2003 at the Annandale Hotel.[9] Mitchell joined Sneaky Sound System in 2004 ahead of their self-titled album.[10]

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Primary'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 23 September 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Artists :: Primary". Australian Music Online. Archived from the original on 22 November 2005. Retrieved 5 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ Primary (2001), Vicious Precious, Warner, destra Media (Distributor), retrieved 5 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia
  4. ↑ "Paul Wheeler". Yamaha Music Australia. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Primary discography". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Watching the World by Primary". iTunes Store. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Nimmervoll, Ed (25 May 2001). "Album of the Week: Primary – Watching the World". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Primary: Watching the World out now!". Primary Official Website. Archived from the original on 11 February 2003. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Attlee, Mathew (2008). "Music News: November 2003". Aus Music Scrapbook. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Nimmervoll, Ed. "Sneaky Sound System". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
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