Ah. Memories. Lost count of how many times I saw these guys live back in the 80's. And you can't beat paternal harmonies. My favorite is still song of theirs is still "Where is the Sun?".
Just found the 'old' vinyl Sleepless and loving it again... oh... the days of the old Sydney Cove Tavern and when great live music was in the pubs and venues every weekend.
Man". when I was young I met up with a girl for a walk with this album on my tape deck and I fell in love to ups & downs I'm know 38 and still look back. I went to red eye records and bought there everything for fifty bucks it was werth it.
that lick was made for loving you baby..and that rickenbacker was made for loving me.. and big heavy stuff are most certainly in their own class guys.
Greg Atkinson has a sense of melody equal to that of the McCartney's and Finn's of this world. Such a shame he isn't more widely recognised. His beautiful tunes followed through to Big Heavy Stuff. Please check them out.
There is no substitute for great songwritng. This is simply a beautiful pop song. Gorgeous guitar. Great singing. I have an album on vinyl called "Sleepless". It's the only thing I've ever found by them. Shame.
It is special isn`t it! The Ups and Downs recorded an album "Underneath The Watchful Eye" which included the killer tracks 'Lit by the fuse' and 'moments away' both of which hopefully are still available on YouTube. The brothers (Greg and Darren Atkinson) went on to make more great music with the band "Big Heavy Stuff" so search for that band also if you enjoy the Ups and Downs.
Mouldytone, Thank you very much for the information. This band is far too good to just fade into oblivion. I will be looking for anything by "Big Heavy Stuff". Once again, thanks. I appreciate it!
Coming up with that chorus hook must have been quite a moment...getting nostalgic, woosy and sentimental for the indie pop spirit of those days cause this is shining right here
Youtube does it again! This song was on WLIR/WDRE on Long Island for a few weeks, then just disappeared completely. I managed to buy the vinyl album as a cutout right afterward. I have to conclude they must have lost their promo contract or something in the USA, why else would they just vanish and they album get cut out all of a sudden? Anyway as I am without a turntable right now I am so psyched to find this and other lost treasures on Youtube.
the days of paisley shirts and winklepicker boots, what a fantastic song, just can't stop playing it, at the time Rock Areana would have been the only medium for this band and others like them, what a shame, at least the ABC supported Aussie indi music.
how great, origi Rock Arena clip, what a great Aussie indi 80's song ,,Ithink back to a great part of my life, awesome ,, there were some great Aussie bands back then, these guys were there, with the Huxtons,Church....yeah ,,, I will preceed to play this clip100 times tonight ,,,Thanks
Great to hear that again....bloody hard to find...so thanks.Used to have a 45 of it. 100 years ago made my best mate promise me to play it at my funeral....but I doubt he will find it!
I used to play in another band at the time and we used to play with them a lot at places like the New Exchange, Hacienda (upstairs), Caxton St Hall any stacks of triple z gigs... great days
The Stems, The Church, The Huxton Creepers, The Triffids, The Someloves and The Ups and Downs: all brilliant. Tried to find The Ups and Downs "Sleepless" at Rockinghorse but no joy - anyone know where I might get lucky?
One of Australia's greatest bands of the 1980s. Pity radio in those days weren't adventurous cos these guys churned a string of CLASSIC 45s - In The Shadows, Perfect Crime, this, Solitary man, etc, etc. Along with The Saints, THE STARS of Pig City last year. Please reform!! Please!!
A great song guys. Pete from GALLEY SLAVES.
Petefran1 1 month ago
Ah. Memories. Lost count of how many times I saw these guys live back in the 80's. And you can't beat paternal harmonies. My favorite is still song of theirs is still "Where is the Sun?".
rbhoulton 2 months ago
Byron Bay Brewery , with Huxton Creepers and the Re-Mains , Sat 12 Nov 2011 ..can't wait ..
sideshowdazza 3 months ago
good news for fans!
thehifi.com.au/gig/ups-downs-huxton-creepers-2011-11-11/
Symph0 5 months ago
@Symph0 Fantastic news! Thanks for the heads up!
Mouldytone 5 months ago
Just found the 'old' vinyl Sleepless and loving it again... oh... the days of the old Sydney Cove Tavern and when great live music was in the pubs and venues every weekend.
LupusNews 6 months ago
such great days ... loved their gigs in the day ... I was always there
ShadyPastel 7 months ago in playlist Australian
such a load of fucking memories half a world and hopefully half a life away
Morthund 9 months ago
Man". when I was young I met up with a girl for a walk with this album on my tape deck and I fell in love to ups & downs I'm know 38 and still look back. I went to red eye records and bought there everything for fifty bucks it was werth it.
daxtonmon 9 months ago
that lick was made for loving you baby..and that rickenbacker was made for loving me.. and big heavy stuff are most certainly in their own class guys.
pauladdiemusic 1 year ago
Sometimes SEN (Melbourne Sports Radio) uses a bit of the track.
neilwedd 1 year ago
Spmetimes SEN (Melbourne Sports Radio) uses a bit of the track.
neilwedd 1 year ago
Greg Atkinson has a sense of melody equal to that of the McCartney's and Finn's of this world. Such a shame he isn't more widely recognised. His beautiful tunes followed through to Big Heavy Stuff. Please check them out.
Fardunda 1 year ago
If only we'd had digital filming and youtube when music like this was around. Although at least it meant we had to GO AND WATCH A BAND LIVE!!
BeniMCSquared 1 year ago
Ahh..so refreshing to hear this after so many years. Love it!
thegapputt01 1 year ago
There is no substitute for great songwritng. This is simply a beautiful pop song. Gorgeous guitar. Great singing. I have an album on vinyl called "Sleepless". It's the only thing I've ever found by them. Shame.
TIMOTHYSAARINEN 2 years ago
It is special isn`t it! The Ups and Downs recorded an album "Underneath The Watchful Eye" which included the killer tracks 'Lit by the fuse' and 'moments away' both of which hopefully are still available on YouTube. The brothers (Greg and Darren Atkinson) went on to make more great music with the band "Big Heavy Stuff" so search for that band also if you enjoy the Ups and Downs.
Check out the "more info" section of this page.
Tony
Mouldytone 2 years ago
Mouldytone, Thank you very much for the information. This band is far too good to just fade into oblivion. I will be looking for anything by "Big Heavy Stuff". Once again, thanks. I appreciate it!
TIMOTHYSAARINEN 2 years ago
Great song from a great EP.
Thanks for posting.
smscmaster 2 years ago
Coming up with that chorus hook must have been quite a moment...getting nostalgic, woosy and sentimental for the indie pop spirit of those days cause this is shining right here
mistersmith6000 2 years ago
Gorgeous spine-tingling track from one of the early 80s bands that helped to sweep away those tired old bands from the 'Countdown' era.
nosecandles 2 years ago
saw them in the 80's 2 night consecutively - awesome
heinkenman 2 years ago
Youtube does it again! This song was on WLIR/WDRE on Long Island for a few weeks, then just disappeared completely. I managed to buy the vinyl album as a cutout right afterward. I have to conclude they must have lost their promo contract or something in the USA, why else would they just vanish and they album get cut out all of a sudden? Anyway as I am without a turntable right now I am so psyched to find this and other lost treasures on Youtube.
davidsfr60 2 years ago
Thank you so much for posting this video. I have been trying to buy the CD but I can't get it anywhere. Any idea where I can get it from? Cheers.
mtan0401 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this. Reminds me of the early Church stuff, or a more upbeat Rain Parade. I posted it to my facebook. Cheers!
cocteaumetallic 2 years ago
love the Dato in the driveway at the end also,,,,
gapc1969 2 years ago
the days of paisley shirts and winklepicker boots, what a fantastic song, just can't stop playing it, at the time Rock Areana would have been the only medium for this band and others like them, what a shame, at least the ABC supported Aussie indi music.
gapc1969 2 years ago
how great, origi Rock Arena clip, what a great Aussie indi 80's song ,,Ithink back to a great part of my life, awesome ,, there were some great Aussie bands back then, these guys were there, with the Huxtons,Church....yeah ,,, I will preceed to play this clip100 times tonight ,,,Thanks
gapc1969 2 years ago
I'm still crazy about this song. Been meaning to cover it even if there's one aging music journo in the crowd that remembers it. Great guitars.
0zmeath 2 years ago
great to hear this again after 25-odd years!
hydraulis99 2 years ago
Great to hear that again....bloody hard to find...so thanks.Used to have a 45 of it. 100 years ago made my best mate promise me to play it at my funeral....but I doubt he will find it!
colser1965 3 years ago
I've got it if you want - got their first 3 45s
RememberMyMusic 2 years ago
wow - thanks for the memories
macgreiner 3 years ago
yeah they were the best around Bris then.
I used to play in another band at the time and we used to play with them a lot at places like the New Exchange, Hacienda (upstairs), Caxton St Hall any stacks of triple z gigs... great days
tartcreative 3 years ago
Great band...Have all their records...There's this band from Australia called White China from the 80's any videos from them?
Spaceboy2000 3 years ago
First, we played them on college radio in the US. Second, they played at least one show in Oz last July. There's video around here somewhere . . .
garymaher 4 years ago
wishing, yeah, well i have to breathe, wanna be with the living kind. - just beautiful
XrayVisionGlasses 4 years ago
This is a classic indy guitar song and sound from the era. Thanks for the post.
mistersmith6000 4 years ago
The Stems, The Church, The Huxton Creepers, The Triffids, The Someloves and The Ups and Downs: all brilliant. Tried to find The Ups and Downs "Sleepless" at Rockinghorse but no joy - anyone know where I might get lucky?
aldobie 4 years ago
triplem too busy playing springsteen and dire straits and barnesy back then ... but wait, they're *still" doing that!!
grezzbop 4 years ago
Awesome! Thanks for posting.
dynatred 4 years ago
One of Australia's greatest bands of the 1980s. Pity radio in those days weren't adventurous cos these guys churned a string of CLASSIC 45s - In The Shadows, Perfect Crime, this, Solitary man, etc, etc. Along with The Saints, THE STARS of Pig City last year. Please reform!! Please!!
kenphilips2003 4 years ago