The Basics are a three-piece band from Melbourne, formed by Wally De Backer and Kris Schroeder in 2002. Their style has been described as anything from ‘indie-pop’ to ‘rock ‘n’ roll’, though their records shoe they span a wide range of genres including reggae, ska, country and electro-pop. Formed after Kris met Wally at a party in Melbourne. Initially they played around Melbourne as an acoustic guitar/drums combo, starting at The Opposition in Frankston and the House of Fools in Footscray. In late 2002 they met and later invited Michael Hubbard to join them on electric guitar. Though lacking any real experience with the instrument, Kris willingly purchased his first bass guitar and the trio was born.
Tim Heath joined the group in June 2004, after Michael decided to pursue his solo career. Tim was reportedly the only person to reply to an advertisement in Melbourne’s Beat Magazine looking for a new guitarist. Tim apparently answered the advertisement – which said the applicant “must have a love of 50s and 60s rock’n’roll” – thinking that he would be meeting “a couple of old guys to play with on the weekends over some beers”. They soon recorded For Girls Like You (MGM).
On 20 August 2010, The Basics released their fourth LP /ðə’bæzɪtʃ/, which was recorded at the Northcote Social Club on 6 February, “in front of a live studio audience” and like the previous record mixed by Peter Cobbin at Abbey Road Studios. Technically a self-titled album, the phonetics spell out the accurate pronunciation of the band’s name.
The band then took a three year hiatus, where Tim worked on the film The Rise and Rise of Richard Latte, Wally launched Making Mirrors under his Gotye act and Kris Schroeder recorded a solo album titled, Patience in the Face of Control, before leaving Australia to work with the Red Cross in Kenya for a one year sabbatical.
2013 saw the return of The Basics with the release of two collections, Ingredients and LEFTOVERS plus a National Tour.
The Basics have announced their 5th studio album ‘Faxing Zimbabwe‘, scheduled for release November, 2019. Featuring a selection of originals and re-imagined tracks, the album will ONLY be available on vinyl, CD and cassette (no streaming release). Pre-order is available now.
Tim Heath joined the group in June 2004, after Michael decided to pursue his solo career. Tim was reportedly the only person to reply to an advertisement in Melbourne’s Beat Magazine looking for a new guitarist. Tim apparently answered the advertisement – which said the applicant “must have a love of 50s and 60s rock’n’roll” – thinking that he would be meeting “a couple of old guys to play with on the weekends over some beers”. They soon recorded For Girls Like You (MGM).
On 20 August 2010, The Basics released their fourth LP /ðə’bæzɪtʃ/, which was recorded at the Northcote Social Club on 6 February, “in front of a live studio audience” and like the previous record mixed by Peter Cobbin at Abbey Road Studios. Technically a self-titled album, the phonetics spell out the accurate pronunciation of the band’s name.
The band then took a three year hiatus, where Tim worked on the film The Rise and Rise of Richard Latte, Wally launched Making Mirrors under his Gotye act and Kris Schroeder recorded a solo album titled, Patience in the Face of Control, before leaving Australia to work with the Red Cross in Kenya for a one year sabbatical.
2013 saw the return of The Basics with the release of two collections, Ingredients and LEFTOVERS plus a National Tour.
The Basics have announced their 5th studio album ‘Faxing Zimbabwe‘, scheduled for release November, 2019. Featuring a selection of originals and re-imagined tracks, the album will ONLY be available on vinyl, CD and cassette (no streaming release). Pre-order is available now.
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