Out of Mind, Out of Sight (album)

Background

Models formed in Melbourne in 1978 by members from Teenage Radio Stars and JAB, after some line-up changes they were Andrew Duffield on keyboards, Mark Ferrie on bass guitar, Janis Friedenfelds (aka Johnny Crash) on drums and percussion, and Sean Kelly on vocals and lead guitar. In November 1980, Models released their first album, Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf, on Mushroom Records. By 1982, more line-up changes occurred, Ferrie and Friedenfelds had left and James Freud (ex-Teenage Radio Stars, James Freud & Berlin) joined the band on bass/vocals. Kelly and Freud had been in high school bands which developed into Teenage Radio Stars. New Zealand drummer, Barton Price (ex-Crocodiles, Sardine v) joined later in 1982.

The Duffield, Freud, Kelly and Price version of the group released the highly regarded 1983 LP The Pleasure of Your Company, produced by Nick Launay. The video for the single "God Bless America", released in March 1984, featured backing singers Kate Ceberano and Zan Abeyratne (both members of I'm Talking). Models' next single, "Big on Love" was produced by Reggie Lucas. By late 1984, Models relocated to Sydney and Duffield - with his crucial influence on the band's sound - was forced out under acrimonious circumstances to be replaced by Roger Mason (ex- James Freud's Berlin) on keyboards and James Valentine on saxophone. For touring during 1984–1985, the group was regularly augmented by backing singers Ceberano and Zan Abeyratne; and in 1985, Canadian-born singer Wendy Matthews joined. Matthews and Kelly became a couple, remaining together for 11 years.

In early 1985, Models started recording material for their next album, Out of Mind, Out of Sight, produced by Mark Opitz, Reggie Lucas and Nick Launay. On 13 July 1985, Models performed four songs for the Oz for Africa concert (part of the global Live Aid program) - "Big on Love", "I Hear Motion", "Stormy Tonight", "Out of Mind, Out of Sight". It was broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US. Models then went on a national tour with I'm Talking in July 1985. The band released their most commercially successful album, Out of Mind, Out of Sight in August 1985 on Mushroom Records, which peaked at #3 on the album charts, For the album Models were, Freud, Kelly, Mason, Matthews, Price and Valentine with Ceberano, Zan Abeyratne, and her twin sister, Sherine Abeyratne (Big Pig) on backing vocals.

The album provided five singles, with the first being "Big on Love" released well in advance of its album, in November 1984, which peaked at #24. Second single "Barbados" released in March 1985, which peaked at #2, had been written by Freud and Duffield, and was a reggae influenced song. It related a tale of alcoholism and suicide, and later provided Freud with the titles of his two autobiographies, I Am the Voice Left from Drinking and I Am the Voice Left from Rehab. The video clip, directed by Richard Lowenstein, was influenced by the film, The Deer Hunter, and Garry Gary Beers from INXS can be seen in the background.

The third single, "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" released in July, which peaked at #1, was their best performed single. It was written by Freud, who was now writing or co-writing most of the Models' songs, and was the only #1 single on the Australian singles chart for 1985 by an Australian artist. "Cold Fever" released in October peaked into the Top 50 but "King of Kings" their December release did not. Proceeds for "King of Kings" were donated to the Salvation Army.

In 1986, Geffen Records released Out of Mind, Out of Sight in the United States and it appeared on the Billboard 200 albums chart, with the single, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind", peaking at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The band toured the US in November, 1986 supporting Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Later that year, Models travelled to UK to record their next album, Models' Media, with Julian Mendelsohn and Mark Opitz, at Trevor Horn's state-of-the-art SARM West Studios in London. Models' Media, released in December which peaked at #30, was less successful than Out of Mind, Out of Sight.

Vinyl release (RML-53166)

1. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" (James Freud) - 3:38
2. "Big on Love" (Sean Kelly, Reggie Lucas) - 3:52
3. "Ringing Like a Bell" (Kelly) - 3:37
4. "Stormy Tonight"(Freud) - 4:14
5. "These Blues"(Freud) - 4:28
6. "Cold Fever" (Freud) - 3:30
7. "Sooner in Heaven" (Freud) - 3:33
8. "Seeing Is Believing" (Kelly) - 3:36
9. "Barbados" (Freud, Andrew Duffield) - 4:14
10. "King of Kings" (Kelly) - 4:35

CD extra tracks (CD-53166)

1. "Big on Love" [12" Version] - 6:07
2. "Barbados" [12" Version] - 6:40
3. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" [12" Version] - 5:58

Cassette extra tracks (RMC-53166)

1. "Out Of Mind Out Of Sight" (12" Version)
2. "Big On Love" (12" Australian Mix)
3. "Barbados" (12" Version)
4. "Tropic Of Cancer" (Kelly)
5. "Preacher Of The Black Lagoon" (Freud, Kelly)
6. "Blue Moon" (Rodgers, Hart)
7. "Steamroller Blues" (Taylor)

Personnel

Credited to:

Models members

Additional musicians

Production details

Art work

Notes