Review of King Without A Clue.

Author: Helen Tidy.

Date:1998.

Original URL: http://www.aussiebands.com.au/fate_markseymourkingwithoutaclue.htm(but this is not the original location).

Article Text

After 18 successful years with Australian band Hunters & Collectors, singer-songwriter Mark Seymour last year launched his solo career with album ‘King Without A Clue’, and a subsequent tour to promote it. Now the third single ‘Home Again’ is in stores and Mark once again hits the tour circuit. 1998 saw the end of the Hunters and Collectors, their final album ‘Juggernaut’ being released and their final ‘Say Goodbye’ tour packing hundreds into halls all over the country so Australia could give a big farewell to one of its most loved bands. Mark was the lead singer, the main songwriter and guitarist, and was responsible for hits such as ‘Blind Eye’, ‘The Slab’, ‘When The River Runs Dry’, ‘Talking To A Stranger’, ‘Holy Grail’ and the well loved Throw Your Arms Around Me’, which was once proposed as a replacement for the current Australian national anthem. The last Hunters & Collectors single, ‘Suit Your Style’, saw Mark join forces with another Australian music icon, Paul Kelly.

Apart for his work with Hunters and Collectors, Mark has also written songs for Vika and Linda Bull, and for the soundtrack to 1992 movie Garbo he wrote the single ‘Hey Boys’.

With Hunters & Collectors now finished, Mark is dedicating all of his energies to his solo career. From the release of the ‘King Without A Clue’ album in 1997, three singles have been released: ‘Last Ditch Caberet’, ‘Ghost Of Vainglory’ and the latest offering ‘Home Again’. Various television appearances on shows such as ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday’ (where he played ‘Home Again’ with his band) and ‘The Elle McFeast Show’ (where he played ‘Home Again’ and Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Richard Cory’ with his brother Nick) has seen him gain some publicity. Appearances are
also planned for ‘In Melbourne Tonight’ (Channel 9 Australia) on the 29th of June and ‘The Panel’ (Channel 10 Australia) for sometime in mid-June.

Seeing Mark playing at the Fly-By-Nite Musicians Club last year, I became a fan of his performance. It was just him and his acoustic guitar, with his brother Nick Seymour (formerly of Crowded House) on bass. They blasted out an incredible set, the highlights of which included ‘Last Ditch Cabaret’, ‘Ghost of Vainglory’, ‘King Without A Clue’, Hunters and Collectors favorite ‘Holy Grail’ and a brilliant version of ‘Richard Cory’. A truly enigmatic performer, Mark had the entire house jumping and calling for more.

As for 1998 live shows, it’s mainly Melbourne shows planned, but there is talk of a national tour for later this year. So if you are in Melbourne the current dates are July 5, 12, 19 and 26 at The Continental Cafe and August 8, 15, 22, 29 at The Commercial Hotel, Yarraville. Tickets for shows at The Continental are available for $22 at the door or advance bookings can be made by calling 9510 2788. The
Commercial Hotel has given no ticket information yet.

Mark Seymour is a truly great Australian performer, with excellent songs and vibrancy on stage he is truly worth seeing. Get down and support Mark at his upcoming shows.

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