The Go-Betweens

Despite never achieving mainstream stardom, Australian jangle-poppers The Go-Betweens rose to bona fide cult status thanks to their innate pop sensibilities and saccharine melodies, inspiring future alternative pop household names such as Nada Surf, Teenage Fanclub, and Belle & Sebastian. Formed in Brisbane in 1977, the group went through a series of lineup changes throughout its career, with main songwriters Robert Forster and Grant McLennan as the only constant members. After making their official recording debut with the single “Lee Remick” (1978), the band left for the UK and issued their studio debut Send Me a Lullaby in 1981 via Rough Trade. In 1983, The Go-Betweens returned with a second full-length titled Before Hollywood, reaching Number 2 on the UK Independent Singles Chart. Considered by many as The Go-Betweens’ finest studio effort, it was the first to feature equal contributions by Forster and McLennan and contained the fan favorite “Cattle and Cane.” Subsequently, the band released four more albums—Spring Hill Fair (1984), Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express (1986), Tallulah (1987), and 16 Lovers Lane (1988)—before calling it quits in 1988. Both Forster and McLennan went on to pursue solo careers during the 90s and reformed the group in 2000, releasing the albums The Friends of Rachel Worth (2000), Bright Yellow Bright Orange (2003), and Oceans Apart (2005), which won Best Adult Contemporary Album at the ARIA Awards. In 2006, The Go-Betweens’ career came to a screeching halt after Grant McLennan suffered a fatal heart attack.

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