Lighthouse Keepers (band)
The Lighthouse Keepers combined a "loosely rehearsed, casual ethos"[1] with humour, punk attitudes and pure pop song craft.
The pair were joined by Juliet Ward on vocals, bass guitar and keyboards[2] as Tex Truck and the Semis, for a University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) student talent quest.
[2] Dalton was a vintage music enthusiast[1] who contributed a country blues style to arrangements as a foil to multi-instrumentalist O'Neil's nifty and melodic bass, drums, guitar and C melody sax playing, further complementing the rich timbre and interpretive abilities of vocalist Ward, with Appel's understated but skilfully rendered jangling Morris brand 12 string guitar.
The Lighthouse Keepers' repertoire was initially steeped in country, blues, folk, pop and jazz which later infused Appel's melodic and lyrically engaging songs melded with emotionally charged vocals by Ward.
Along with subtle somewhat larrikin humour, stories dealing with suburban teenage angst[3] and interpersonal relationships, were bitter sweet love songs, a couple of instrumental contributions from O'Neil and Appel, plus a sprinkling of cover versions highlighting their musical influences, for example, 'St.
In 1983 The Lighthouse Keepers issued their first single, "Gargoyle", as a three-track 7 inch vinyl 45rpm on their own independent label, Guthugga Pipeline Records.
All three original compositions were written by Appel who played 12 string acoustic guitar utilising a stomp box effects unit compressor.
Opening with "Springtime", the EP highlighted the country blues style harmonica of Dalton which was in part characteristic of the Lighthouse Keepers' sound.
The integration of the driving pop sensibility of drummer Williams, allowed O'Neil to add second guitar parts to "The Beat" and "Narvel Felts".
The Lighthouse Keepers signed to Hot Records where their diverse label mates included Wet Taxis, The Triffids and Laughing Clowns.
[7] In August 1984 the label re-issued "Gargoyle" and followed in November with the band's first studio album, "Tales of the Unexpected"[2] which resulted in their most successful single "Ocean Liner".
The album was recorded during August at Paradise Studios in Woolloomooloo, Sydney by David Price, assisted by Tom Colley, the house engineers .
[20] They supported international artists touring Australia such as Jonathan Richman and John Cooper Clarke (1983) and The Violent Femmes, as well as the Brisbane band The Go-Betweens (1984).
They built up a loyal following whilst performing regularly along the Australian east coast with occasional treks westwards across the Nullarbor Plain to Perth.
[26][27] They have also played tribute shows,[28] benefits, (2009) and opened both nights of the final leg of a Laughing Clowns reformation tour at the Basement in Sydney (2009).
