The Makers (Australian band)

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The Makers
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresRock pop
Years active1988 (1988)–1992 (1992)
LabelsMana/WEA, Warner
Past members

The Makers were an Australian band formed by ex-Split Enz keyboardist, Eddie Rayner, and musician and singer, Brian Baker. The duo formed in 1988 after recording the tracks for a feature film, Rikky and Pete. The self-titled debut album The Makers released in 1990, provided three singles. The second album, Hokey Pokey, was released in 1992 with two further singles. They toured Australia in 1991 supporting the B-52's.

History[edit]

The Makers were formed in 1988 in Melbourne by Brian Baker (ex-the Ones) on lead vocals, lead guitar and programming; and Eddie Rayner (ex-the Wanx, Split Enz) on keyboards, keyboard bass, synthesisers and programming.[1][2] Baker and Rayner had met in 1985 when the latter produced the Ones' debut single, "Heart" (1986).[3] Rayner then worked in England on Paul McCartney's album, Press to Play (August 1986), before connecting with fellow Split Enz alumni, Noel Crombie, Nigel Griggs and Phil Judd in the Wanx (which were renamed Schnell Fenster) in 1987.[2][4][5] Rayner left before they recorded their first album.[4]

Upon return to Australia Rayner collaborated with Baker to co-write the musical score for a feature film, Rikky and Pete (1988), directed by Nadia Tass.[6] Crombie and Judd, using fellow Schnell Fenster members, formed Noel's Cowards which contributed to the film's soundtrack.[6] The Makers released their debut self-titled album in July 1990 on the Mana record label and distributed by WEA.[7][2][1] In the studio Baker and Rayner co-produced the album with hired session musicians and Hugh Padgham as mixer.[1][8] The Makers provided four singles, "Big Picture" (April 1990), "New Kind of Blue" (August 1990)and "Daylight" (October 1990) and "Simple Things" (March 1991).[7]

In the following year the group were joined by Michael Barker on drums and toured Australia in support of the United States band, the B-52's.[3] The Makers second studio album, Hokey Pokey, was released in June 1993 by Warner Music Australasia.[3] It provided two singles, "From Now On" (March 1992) and "Perfect Crime" (June 1993).[7] The group disbanded soon after as both Baker and Rayner pursued solo careers. Baker's second solo album, Prague Radio (2004) included two tracks co-written with Rayner, "It's All Love" and "Head in the Clouds".[9]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[7]
The Makers
  • Released: July 1990
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Mana Music (170962-1)
 104
Hokey Pokey
  • Released: June 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Mana Music (450990792-2)
 —

Singles[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions 		Album
AUS
[10][7]
1990 "Big Picture" 82 The Makers
"New Kind of Blue" 131
"Daylight" —
1991 "Simple Thing" —
1992 "From Now On" — Hokey Pokey
1993 "Perfect Crime" —

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c The Makers; Rayner, Eddie; Baker, Brian (1990), The Makers, Mana : [distributed by] WEA, retrieved 28 May 2016
  2. ^ a b c McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Broderick Smith'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 26 August 2004. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Gibson, Mark (28 May 2016). "Brian Baker". Australian Music History. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b Boswell, Lawrence (6 August 1987). "Good Times: There Is Life After Split Enz". The Canberra Times. Vol. 61, no. 18, 934. p. 33. Retrieved 28 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ Kimball, Duncan (2002). "Split Enz". Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. Ice Productions. Archived from the original on 23 June 2003. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Eddie Rayner, Brian Baker, Phil Judd – Rikky And Pete (1988 Film)". Amazon. 1999. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Bubbling Down Under". bubblingdownunder.com. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  8. ^ Nicholson, Dennis W. "Big Steal". Australian Soundtracks. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  9. ^ "Artists :: Brian Baker". Australian Music Online. Australia Council for the Arts. Archived from the original on 21 November 2005. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  10. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 175.
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