Even as We Speak is an indie band from Sydney, Australia - formed in 1986. The line up changed over the years, with founding members Matthew Love (guitar, banjo, vocals), Mary Wyer (vocals, guitar) and Rob Irwin (bass) joined later by Anita Rayner (drums, mandolin), Julian Knowles (keyboards, production, guitar) and Paul Clarke (guitar, vocals) After a series of vinyl releases on Australian independent labels and success on the Australian independent music scene, they released several singles and an album on the UK indie label Sarah Records, three of which reached the Top 5 of the Melody Maker and New Musical Express independent music charts in 1992 and 1993. 'Blue Suburban Skies' was one of five tracks on a 7" EP released on Sarah Records which also featured an inspired guitar-led cover of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle". They also released one album on Sarah, "Feral Pop Frenzy", an eclectic 17 track collection of songs that received many favourable reviews. A single from the album, 'Falling Down the Stairs', received wide airplay in the UK on BBC Radio 1 in 1993, but major commercial success eluded the band. Between 1992-3 the group recorded three sessions for John Peel and one session for Mark Goodier for BBC Radio 1. They were among the few Australian bands to record Peel Sessions – others were The Birthday Party, The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and Laughing Clowns. A session was also recorded for Radio France. The band's music is an unusual hybrid of accessible pop and more experimental elements. Some commentators[who?] consider them to be key figures in the post-C86 subculture in the UK, although their music breaks out of conventional pop moulds to experiment with forms.
