Real Life are an Australian new wave and synth-pop[1] band that achieved international chart success with their 1983 singles "Send Me an Angel" and "Catch Me I'm Falling", both of which were taken from their debut studio album, Heartland (1983).
The band originally consisted of David Sterry (lead vocals and guitar), Richard Zatorski (keyboards and violin), Allan Johnson (bass), and Danny Simcic (drums).
[7] The band's debut album, Heartland (produced by Steve Hillage), entered the top 40 in Australia,[4] Germany,[6] New Zealand,[5] and Switzerland,[8] and peaked at #58 in the US.
The album spawned minor hits with "God Tonight" and "Kiss the Ground", both of which placed on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks and Dance Club Songs charts in the United States.
Following the release of their fourth studio album, Happy, the band embarked on an extensive tour of the US, Germany and Australia, and were invited to perform at Salt Lake City's Synthstock2000 with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Berlin.
In November 2005, Pappas announced his departure from the band, leaving Sterry to continue as Real Life on his own, performing at various 1980s-themed events such as Australia's Absolutely 80s and the US' Lost 80's Live.
Pappas began recording solo material under the name Alien Skin in 2007, and A Different Drum released his debut album, Don't Open Till Doomsday, the following year.
In addition to another new recording (and two remixes) of "Send Me an Angel", the album also includes cover versions of twelve other 1980s new wave classics by acts such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, Eurythmics, Tears for Fears, and Gary Numan.