Stevie Plunder

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Stevie Plunder
Stevie Plunder c. 1994
Background information
Birth nameAnthony Hayes
Born(1963-08-15)15 August 1963
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Died25 January 1996(1996-01-25) (aged 32)
Wentworth Falls, New South Wales, Australia
GenresPop, rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, bass guitar,
Years active1980–1996
LabelsCitadel Records, Phantom, Half A Cow Records, Green Fez, Black Yak

Stevie Plunder, born as Anthony Hayes (15 August 1963 – 25 January 1996), was an Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter. He was a founding member of the groups, The Plunderers (1984–1995) and The Whitlams (1992–1996).

Biography

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Early years

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Main article: The Plunderers (band)

Stevie Plunder was born as Anthony Hayes in Canberra on 16 August 1963 and grew up in the suburb of Narrabundah.[1] His other musical brothers are Bernie, Pat and Justin Hayes (aka Justin Credible, Stanley Claret).[1] Plunder left school at 15:[1] he played in bands from his late teens, providing guitar and vocals. He was in a folk-pop group, Get Set Go, with Nic Dalton and a pair of sisters, Suzie and Jenny Higgie.[2] In May 1984 Plunder, on guitar and vocals, and Dalton formed The Plunderers.[2][3][4] The group issued one compilation album Banana Smoothie Honey (1992) and a handful of singles/mini-albums.[3][4] Plunder also played with other acts such as The Shout Brothers (aka The Shouties), No Concept, Z For Zip, Smarte Music, Folk U Mate, Captain Denim, Hippy Dribble and The New Christs.[4] After Dalton temporarily left The Plunderers to join The Lemonheads, Plunder joined New Christs on guitar from January 1992 to the end of that year.[4][5]

The Whitlams

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Main article: The Whitlams

On 26 January (Australia Day) 1992 while outside Hordern Pavilion where grunge group, Nirvana, were playing during the first Big Day Out, Plunder caught up with Tim Freedman (ex-Itchy Feet, Penguins on Safari).[1] Back in 1987 the pair had first met when Plunder was hired to support Freedman's earlier group.[6] They discussed forming a band and at the end of 1992 they formed The Whitlams as a pop group with Plunder on vocals and guitar; Freedman on vocals and keyboard; and Andy Lewis on double bass and bass guitar (ex-The Plunderers).[4][7] The group developed their material acoustically on Saturday afternoons at Sandringham Hotel, Newtown. In October 1993 they released their debut album, Introducing the Whitlams.[7]

In December 1993 Plunder performed a Christmas gig as a member of The Shout Brothers, with Peter Velzen on drums (ex-The Plunderers, member of Falling Joys), and Plunder's brothers Pat on guitar and vocals (also Falling Joys) and Bernie on guitar and vocals (ex-Secret Seven, The Tall Shirts, Club Hoy).[8]

The Whitlams, with Stuart Eadie on drums, toured the Australian east coast before recording their follow up album, Undeniably the Whitlams (February 1995).[7] During his time with the group Plunder wrote or co-wrote 18 tracks, including the single, "Following My Own Tracks" (June 1995).[7][9] By 1995 Plunder was married to Tori.[1]

Death

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On 26 January 1996 Stevie Plunder was found dead at the bottom of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, apparently a suicide.[10][11] Plunder's funeral was held in his hometown suburb of Narrabundah in Canberra and a memorial service was held at St Stephen's Church, Newtown in February 1996.[citation needed] The Whitlams' first album after Plunder's death, Eternal Nightcap (March 1997), was dedicated to his memory.

References

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Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e Freedman, Tim. "The Wonder from Narrabundah Some Recollections on Stevie Plunder". The Drum Media. The Whitlams Official Website. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b Uhlmann, Mark (10 November 1988). "Good Times: Some Plunder and Pillage". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. p. 33. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b McFarlane, 'The Plunderers' entry. Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e Stevie Plunder at Australian Rock Database:
    • The Plunderers (1984–1992): – Holmgren, Magnus. "The Plunderers". passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
    • The New Christs (1992): – Holmgren, Magnus. "The New Christs". passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
    • The Whitlams (1992–1996): – Holmgren, Magnus. "The Whitlams". passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  5. ^ McFarlane, 'New Christs' entry. Archived from the original on 31 August 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  6. ^ Murfett, Andrew (12 September 2008). "Revisiting the Darkness". The Age. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d McFarlane, 'The Whitlams' entry. Archived from the original on 26 July 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Locals come home for Christmas". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 23 December 1993. p. 23. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  9. ^ "'Following My Own Tracks' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 17 September 2014. Note: User may have to click 'Search again' and provide details at 'Enter a title:' e.g Following My Own Tracks; or at 'Performer:' The Whitlams
  10. ^ Buchanan, Matt (26 November 1999). "It's Tim(e): The Whitlams Chart New Waters". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Whitlams Official Website. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  11. ^ "The Bulletin". The Bulletin (6138–6146): 37. 1998.
General
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