The Cockroaches
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Biography
Australian pub rock band The Cockroaches was formed in 1979 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia by brothers Paul (lead vocals), John (rhythm guitar) and Anthony Field (lead guitar) while attending boarding school, inviting Tony Henry (drums), Bruce Hatfield (bass) and Joseph Hallion (Saxophone) to join the group two years later. Heavily influenced by British band The Rolling Stones, the band took their name from an obscure alias used by lead singer Keith Richard, initially playing school performances, followed by cover gigs in local bars, despite being under the legal drinking age. Honing their craft throughout the 1980s, the band began to write their own songs, releasing their first single in July 1980, âI Want a Leather Jacketâ followed by âBingo Bangoâ in June the following year, undergoing several changes in the bandâs line up, inviting Jeff Fatt (keyboards) and replacing Hatfield (and later Geoff O'Reagan) with Phil Robinson (bass). Known for their dynamic live performances, the group developed a large following, thanks to exposure via Australian variety show Hey, Hey itâs Saturday. Gaining traction with single âWait Upâ in August, 1986, the band released debut album The Cockroaches in March the next year to critical acclaim, which included popular singles âSheâs the Oneâ, âSome Kind of Girlâ and âDouble Shot (Of My Babyâs Love)â, charting at number 9 and certified platinum (and later, gold). Touring extensively throughout Australia, the group drew large crowds at every performance, touring with high profile Australian bands Mental As Anything, the Hoodoo Gurus and INXS. The bandâs second album Fingertips was released in 1988, peaking at number 32, with single âHey What Nowâ reaching the top 40. The band reached its pinnacle in 1988, performing in front of over 90,000 fans at World Expo 88, before Paul Fieldâs departure following a family tragedy and Anthony Field who returned to tertiary studies, and starting children's group The Wiggles in 1991 â which later attained staggering worldwide acclaim. Meanwhile, The Cockroaches released third album Positive in the same year, with single "Here Comes That Feeling" featuring in the Russell Crowe film The Crossing. Reuniting for one final recording in 1994, the Field brothers were once again joined by Fatt, Henry and Mackie on St Patrickâs Day 10am. Coming together ten years later for two performances, the band released greatest hits album Hey Letâs Go! in 2014; a compilation of their most popular material from 1984 to 1994.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- I Must Have Been Blind
- It's Another Saturday Night
- Hope
- You Can't Sit Down
- She's The One
- I Don't Wanna Be Sad
- Here Comes That Feeling
- Summer Again
- Drown In My Own Tears
- Do The Monkey
- Something Good This Way Comes
- Bit By Bit, Little By Little
- While We're Apart
- I'll Die If I Don't Kiss You Tonight
- When You're Away
- Rely On Me
- Shake the Foundations
- Miles Away
- St. Patrick's Day 10am
- Stay With Me
- Hey What Now
- Doesn't It Hurt
- Good, Good, Good
- My Whole World's Falling Down
