Croxton Records

Way back a long time ago, THE DUNAWAYS were one of the first ever Croxton acts, and with their classic roots-pop style probably went a long way to defining the style of record label we were to ultimately become. WANDERIN' MIND is still a classic record as far as we are concerned but with four people whose lives had various priorities, a follow-up has seemed at times problematic and at others downright unlikely.

But wonders will never cease and we are very proud to announce that THE DUNAWAYS have released album number two, GREAT WESTERN TEARS. While it's still the same rocking folk-pop combo we released back then, there are a few production detours in evidence this time around. Still, it's all about the songs, and the pens of Mark Narkowicz and Andrew Viney would seem to have been working just fine (ably supported by Graham Rankin and Martin Witherford). Listening to such gems as Ex Pop Song and Sweetheart takes us straight back to the pure fresh Tasmanian power pop of the Fish John West Reject at their best.

See the REVIEWS PAGE for a recent Inpress review of GREAT WESTERN TEARS by Martin Jones...

The Dunaways have also managed to record a couple of TV themes - 'Down The Line' the title theme for a series of 6 hour-long train documentaries screened by Channel 7 late last year, and 'Silver & Gold' the theme song for Foxtel's History Channel Series 'Australian Icon Towns'.

There's only one easy way to get the history of The Dunaways into context. The short story is that The Dunaways were all members of The Fish John West Reject. For a little while, they were all there at the same time too! The Fish John West Reject started in 1985 as a busking duo in the Brisbane Street Mall, Launceston, Tasmania. They developed into a 4 piece group, using acoustic guitars, mandolins, harmonicas, bass guitar and drums to play their own brand of wild folk/pop/blues/country/gospel, which they nicknamed acoustic pop thrashabilly.

They played in Launceston and Hobart until the end of 1986 when they decided to take a temporary break, and reconvened in Melbourne at the beginning of 1988. They played at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in Feb 1988, and met members of Weddings, Parties Anything, who befriended the Fish and played a key role in their rise over the next few years. Their debut album SWIM was released in 1989 to much acclaim and The Fish began touring extensively to major capital cities. Perth received The Fish with open arms. The first single LEFT and the SWIM album went to #1 on the Perth independent charts. THE ORCHARD, a second single was released.

The Fish appeared on Countdown Revolution. Members departed, new members came in... as they continued to chase the elusive major record deal, with significant sniffs from a number of labels... but by 1991 it was time to quit. Their second album, FIN was released on the SHOCK label, and was again received enthusiastically. English magazines SELECT and MELODY MAKER spoke very favourably of FIN. The Fish called it a day at the end of 1991, with a few reformation shows over the next two years at the request of WPA and Michelle Shocked.

Over the years, The Fish had huge success relatively in 'independent' circles. In all, they released two cassette albums, two full-length albums, three singles and a 12" EP, as well as appearing on three compilation records. They supported a wide range of international and local acts, including UB40, The Pogues, Violent Femmes, Michelle Shocked, The Church, Hunters & Collectors and WPA.

It was six years ago when Mark Narkowicz, back in Melbourne after another spell in Tassie as a teacher, and fellow Fish Andrew Viney discovered that in one another's absence each had been writing new songs, and that those songs had independently developed an uncanny like-mindedness. It was obvious there had to be a new band so the material could escape from its murky four track existence, and blossom. THE DUNWAYS were formed, with ex-Fish members Martin Witheford and Graham Rankin joining the band. They released WANDERIN' MIND, their debut album in 2000, and it was nominated for an ARIA award in the blues/roots category. They continue to play together, and are about to release their second album mid 2005.

Mark Narkowicz has pursued a solo interest since 1992, mainly as a vehicle for his more melodic 'pop' tunes - it started when he recorded a song for ABC radio in Hobart, 1000 Tears. It was released on a compilation of Tasmanian musicians - Tastalent 96. This song was then released as a 7" single in 2000 by Melbourne independent label, Library Records. This single made inroads into the c86 pop market in Japan, the US, England, Sweden and (believe it or not) Poland. His new album NOW, WHERE WAS I has just been released on Library Records.

TAKE ME TO THE DUNAWAYS MYSPACE PAGE
DISCOGRAPHY:
The Fish John West Reject - Canned cassette (1985)
The Fish John West Reject - Shy But Wild live cassette (1988)
The Fish John West Reject - Left/Childless Mother 7" (1989)
The Fish John West Reject - Swim LP (1989)
The Fish John West Reject - The Orchard 7"/cassette single (1989)
Various - Hair of the Dog LP: "(He Never Said A) Mumblin' Word (live)" & "Answers (live)" (1990)
The Fish John West Reject - Exile/20 Ways 7" (1990)
The Fish John West Reject - Sick Inside 12" (1990)
Various - Sparrows cassette: The Fish John West Reject "Cath" (1990)
Various - 3RRR Used & Recovered By CD/LP: "Sooner Or Later" (1990)
The Fish John West Reject - Fin CD/LP (1991)
Tender Engines - self titled CD EP (1992)
Tender Engines - With Regret 7" (1992)
Tender Engines - Ex-Pop Song 7" (1993)
Tender Engines - Something Wicked 7" (1993)
Various - Tastalent 96 CD: Mark Narkowicz "1000 Tears" & "Lights Out... (live)" (1996)
The Dunaways - Too Pop For Country... CD EP (1999)
Mark Narkowicz - 1000 Tears/Stars Of Heaven 7" (2000)
The Dunaways - Wanderin Mind CD (2000)
Various - Captain Circus CD: Mark Narkowicz "Pack it up" (2000)
Various - Wishing You A Merry Croxton Christmas CD: The Dunaways "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" (2000)
Mark Narkowicz - Now, Where Was I CD (2002)
The Dunaways/Mark Narkowicz - split CDr: 1000 Tears/What a way to end the weekend/6 weeks in Johannesburg/Preacherman (2002)
The Dunaways - Great Western Tears CD (2006)

GREAT WESTERN TEARS
Album 2006 (croxt028)

Purchase
'GREAT WESTERN TEARS' online now

Track Listing:
1. The Burdens And The Beasts
2. Everybody
3. Ex-Pop Song
4. Thankyou Love
5. When You're Alone
6. Mrs. McCartney's Porch
7. What A Way To End The Weekend
8. Funny How Things Come Around
9. Pop Outlaws
10. Deliver Me Now
11. New Moon Cafe
12. Sweetheart
13. I Howl At The Moon

WANDERIN' MIND
Album 2000 (croxt003)

Purchase 'WANDERIN' MIND'
online now

Track Listing:
1. The Spirit Of Louden Wainwright III
2. Wanderin' Mind
3. Preacherman
4. I Don't Need Her Love Anymore
5. Dust From Your Feet
6. Gentleness
7. Six Weeks In Johannesburg
8. Babe, You Did Me Wrong
9. Cover Girl
10. Esau Was An Hairy Man
11. She Don't Care