Bellydance (band)

Bellydance were an Australian 9 piece dance, funk band originally known as Bellydance Disco, which formed in Sydney 1987. Mainstays were Tony Hughes on vocals, Frank Ward on bass, Ted Cavanagh on guitar and Scott Saunders (also in Directions in Groove) on keyboards. Featured a range of musicians/vocalists and brass. Their debut album, One Blood (1993), was nominated at the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 for Best Pop Release.

Bellydance
Also known asBellydance Disco
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active1987 (1987)–1996 (1996)
Labels
Associated acts
Past members
  • Ted Cavanagh
  • Tony Hughes
  • Scott Saunders
  • Frank Ward
  • Charlie MacLean
  • John Swanton
  • Linda Jannsen
  • Grant Taylor
  • Dave Wray
  • Richard Barry
  • Terepai Richmond
  • Theo Silvera

History

Bellydance were formed as a dance, funk band, Bellydance Disco, in Sydney in 1987 by mainstays Ted Cavanagh on guitar, the actor, Tony Hughes on vocals, and Scott Saunders (ex-Deckchairs Overboard, Beatfish) on keyboards.[1] Their line-up changed often and the ensemble sometimes reached 12 members.[1] The group's debut single, "Spittin' Bullets", appeared in July 1987.[1]

According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, they "built up a strong following on the Sydney dance/pub circuit, and first came to national prominence with the release of the topical single 'Green Revolution' in mid-1992."[1] By that time Saunders had also formed an acid jazz group, Directions in Groove (initially styled as d.i.g.), with Alexander Hewetson on bass guitar, Terepai Richmond on drums, Rick Robertson on saxophone, and Tim Rollinson on guitar.[1] They released an extended play, Fun Dopin', in May 1993 and also supported visiting English reggae singer, Maxi Priest, on his tour of Australia.[1]

Bellydance issued their debut studio album, One Blood, in October 1993 via Regular Records/Festival Records.[1][2] It had been recorded in the previous year with Stephen Ferris producing.[1] McFarlane observed, "[it] contained a mix of hard funk, smooth soul-pop, dub reggae and jazz-funk."[1] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 it was nominated for Best Pop Release.[3] The group released another EP, The Joker, in 1994 and followed with their second album, Babylon Mixed Business, late in the next year, via Roadshow Music.[1] Another EP, Ain't no Use, appeared in November 1995 and the group disbanded in 1996.[1]

Band members
  • Ted Cavanagh – guitar (1987–96)
  • Tony Hughes – vocals (1987–96)
  • Scott Saunders – keyboards (1987–96)
  • Frank Ward – bass guitar, keyboards
  • Charlie MacLean – vocals
  • John Swanton – percussion & drums
  • Linda Jannsen – vocals
  • Grant Taylor – guitar
  • Dave Wray – saxophone
  • Richard Barry – vocals
  • Terepai Richmond – drums
  • Theo Silvera – drums
  • Lisa Maxwell - recording vocalist

Discography

Albums

Extended plays
  • Fun Dopin' (1993)
  • The Joker (1994)
  • Ain't No Use (November 1995)

Singles
  • "Spittin' Bullets" (1987)
  • "3 Days Man!" (1991)
  • "Green Revolution" (mid-1992)
  • "Bubbles" (1995)

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'd.i.g. (directions in groove)'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 31 August 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  2. Barber, Lynden (25 October 1993). "Bellydance: One Blood (Regular)". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  3. "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1994: 8th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
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