The Chosen Few (1980s Australian band)
The Chosen Few were an Australian rock band active between 1985 and 1992. Signed to Mushroom Records and managed by Stuart Coupe, the Chosen Few released four singles and a lone album Friends, Foes and Firewood (1990). Despite constant national touring (including opening for major touring acts like Jerry Harrison, Cheap Trick and Billy Joel on their respective Australian tours) and receiving support from the country's most influential radio stations; chart success eluded the Chosen Few with only a cover version of the band's song 'Rise' becoming a hit for popular Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite. Braithwaite's version of 'Rise' is also the title track of his successful 1990 album, and remains a staple on Australian commercial radio.
Biography
The Chosen Few was formed in 1985 in Sydney, Australia with Danny McCarthy (Guitar & Vocals), Abe Elshaikh (Guitar & Vocals), Paul Read (Bass) & Rex Mansfield (Drums). After numerous months rehearsing, writing and cutting demos, the band was taken up by rock writer and manager Stuart Coupe (who at the time was enjoying the commercial heights with his artist Paul Kelly) and signed to Mushroom Records in 1988.
The band's debut single 'Get It Right' (November, 1988) was met with enthusiasm in the Australian rock music media and the band's following single 'Rise' (April, 1989) was critically praised and reached # 35 on the ARIA charts. However, the band's commercial prospects didn't appear promising when the band's third single 'Love' (November, 1989) failed to chart. The band's debut album Friends, Foes and Firewood was released in 1990 and went triple platinum in sales, and reached No.1 on the Rolling Stone Album Chart.
After six years and 261 shows, The Chosen Few did their final four concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre as the opening act on Billy Joel's Storm Front tour.
In 1994, The Chosen Few (without Elsheik) re-emerged as The Dreamseed with addition of guitarist Steve Barnes and Darren Bulmer, and relocated to Germany.
Paul Read is currently a member of Stormcellar.
Band Members
- Danny McCarthy (Guitar & Vocals)
- Abe Elshaikh (Guitar & Vocals)
- Paul Read (Bass)
- Rex Mansfield (Drums)
- Steve Sly (formerly of Mortal Sin) joined the band in the early 90s.
Discography
Albums
- Friends, Foes and Firewood (1990)
Singles
- Get It Right / With Barely A Whisper (Mushroom Records) - November, 1988
- Rise / One Mistake (Mushroom Records) - April, 1989
- Love / Always Tomorrow (Mushroom Records) - November, 1989
- Days Like These / Bleed Me (Mushroom Records) - June, 1990