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Although criminally unknown outside of their native Australia, the Hummingbirds' dreamy boy-girl harmonies and refreshing jangle pop sound positioned them among the brightest bands of their era. The group formed in 1986 from the remnants of the short-lived Bug Eyed Monsters, and originally comprised singer/guitarist Simon Holmes, bassist John Boyce, and drummer Mark Temple; vocalist/guitarist Alannah Russack signed on a short time later, and after signing to the indie label <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Phantom%22">Phantom</a>, the group debuted in mid-1987 with the single "Alimony." Boyce soon departed, and with the subsequent addition of singer/bassist Robyn St. Clare, the classic Hummingbirds lineup was in place. After three more 1988 singles -- "Everything You Said," "Swim to Shore," and "Hindsight" -- the band signed to the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22rooART%22">rooART</a> label, and with noted producer <a href="spotify:artist:27tICP1Y2IuLqCpORpfNxF">Mitch Easter</a> entered the studio to record their 1989 debut LP, the superb loveBUZZ. When the album became a hit down under, it was licensed for U.S. release by the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Polygram%22">Polygram</a> label; however, despite excellent reviews, the LP stiffed, and the Hummingbirds' career suffered seemingly irreparable damage. Despite strained relations with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22rooART%22">rooART</a>, they forged on, with drummer Shane Melder taking over for <a href="spotify:artist:0iHb0mCbqZTYeb4y9Pirrd">Temple</a>; after another LP, 1992's Va Va Voom (released solely in Australia), the Hummingbirds moved on to the tiny indie <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22IV+Recordings%22">IV Recordings</a>. After two final 1993 EPs, Gone and Tail, the group disbanded in December of that year; Holmes later joined the band Fragile. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
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