The Hummingbirds

The Hummingbirds are an indie pop group from Sydney, Australia, active from 1986 to 1993. They form part of the 1980s and 1990s Australian alt-rock scene and are known for a jangle-pop sound and boy-girl vocal harmonies.

History

The group forms in 1986 from the remains of the short-lived Bug Eyed Monsters. The original lineup features singer-guitarist Simon Holmes, bassist John Boyce and drummer Mark Temple, with vocalist-guitarist Alannah Russack joining soon afterwards. Boyce leaves not long after the band begins, and Robyn St. Clare later joins on vocals and bass, establishing the best-known lineup.

The Hummingbirds debut on the independent label Phantom with the single Alimony in 1987. In 1988 they issue three more singles: Everything You Said, Swim to Shore and Hindsight. They then sign to rooArt and work with producer Mitch Easter on their debut album, loveBUZZ, which appears in 1989. The album becomes a success in Australia and is licensed for release in the United States by Polygram, although it receives a different response there.

After this period, the band continues with Shane Melder replacing Mark Temple on drums. They release a second album, Va Va Voom, in 1992, issued only in Australia, and later move to the indie label IV Recordings. Their final releases are the 1993 EPs Gone and Tail. The group disbands in December 1993.

Members

Members associated with the group include Simon Holmes, John Boyce, Mark Temple, Alannah Russack, Robyn St. Clare and Shane Melder. Greg Atkinson and Danny Yau are also listed among the band’s members.

Later activity

Simon Holmes later forms Fragile. The Hummingbirds reunite for the Big Day Out in 2011 and continue to play intermittently for several years afterwards.

Style and recordings

The band’s catalogue centres on indie pop and alt-rock songs with prominent harmonies and a jangle-pop edge. Their key releases include the singles Alimony, Everything You Said, Swim to Shore, Hindsight, the album loveBUZZ, the album Va Va Voom, and the EPs Gone and Tail.