Fine Art

Fine Art

Fine Art is a Brisbane group formed in 1977. The original line-up is Ken Carlson on guitar, Terri Paul and Kay Maxwell on vocals, and Colin Mansfield on guitar. The band works in punk, psychedelic rock, post-punk and ’77 punk.

Early recordings and live debut

The group’s first album is completed with the help of Monty Edwards on drums and Andy Schirmer on bass, and appears in October 1978 before the band has played a live show. Their first performance is a benefit for KFAI-FM and is broadcast live to the Twin Cities.

Releases and sessions

In 1981, Fine Art releases the limited edition EP Scan. The band also records an album’s worth of material for Paul Stark of Twin/Tone Records, but the master tapes are destroyed before anything is issued. A cassette of rough mixes from those sessions remains. The final Fine Art recordings are made at Ambient Sound in 1984.

Line-up changes

Fine Art undergoes several personnel changes over its active years. Monty Edwards is replaced in turn by Rex Morriss, Alan Meyer, John Hewitt of Urban Guerillas, Alan again, and Dan Picasso. Andy Schirmer is replaced by Elizabeth Frantes, Jay Smiley and Dave Wynn. Terri Paul leaves to marry Chan Poling of the Suburbs and is replaced by Jennifer Holt of Tetes Noires. After Jennifer Holt leaves, Kay Maxwell becomes the featured vocalist. The group is also augmented by Mike Johnson of John Music on keyboards and Sly Williams of Ike Turner on percussion.