Draft:Bits of Kids

Bits Of Kids ( BOK ) were an Australian four-piece post punk rock band, formed in 1986 with Don Green on vocals & guitar, Jed Highton on lead guitar, Paul Field on bass and Charles Sammut on drums. They released a 7" single in 1987 and a 6 track 12" mini album in 1989 before disbanding early in 1990.

History

Bits of Kids were formed in August of 1986 by Don Green ( ex- Joyful Killing ) Jed Highton (ex- Moose Effect ) and Paul Field ( ex- Even As We Speak ). Several drummers were trialed throughout the remainder of that year and into early 1987 without any becoming permanent.[2] In March 1987 the band Exserts broke up and Charlie Sammut was recruited as BOKs permanent drummer.  The band took their name from the Irish punk band - Stiff Little Fingers – who released a song of the same name.

In July of 1987 the band recorded a 7" single Sorry Son / They Say on Revolution Records which debuted at #9 on the Sydney alternative music charts and was engineered and produced by Alan Thorne at Trafalgar studios in Annandale, NSW, Australia.  On The Street, a Sydney fanzine, published a small bio of the band in their January 1988 edition [3]

In February 1988, RAM ( Rock Australia Magazine ) reviewed the single saying it was "the aural equivalent of a head butt, sort of Buzzcocks revisited" and "slashes of power-steered trash, thrash & wallop with a heartful of tune, beat and defiant pose". [4]

In March of 1989 a 6 track 12" mini-album Taste This! ( also on Revolution Records ) was released, this time produced by Rob Younger of the band New Christs.  Andrew Mueller, writing in 'On The Street' in May of 1989 said of the album, "Reminiscent of Happy Hate Me Nots with the park brake off, Bits of Kids best moments come when they're about to lose control" [5]

Steve Gardner of Noise for Heroes, said the record had "crackling hot production...this thing is mastered incredibly hot so it just about leaps out of the speakers at you".

Embracing a 'Do It Yourself' punk ethos, the band organised their own gigs, printed posters, filmed videos, self-managed and built up a strong fan following over the time they were active. Despite doing well in the alternative charts, achieving #8 with their single over Christmas 1987, and #5 with their mini-album in mid 1989 - as well as video coverage on Rage, Video Hits and SBS 'The Noise', there was no sustained interest from radio, print media or promoters.

After a self-funded southern Queensland tour to promote the album in July of 1989 did no more for their exposure, the clock started counting down for the band. After nearly 4 years of hard gigging around inner Sydney, they decided to call it a day early in 1990, with members drifting into other projects within and outside of the music industry.

Members

Don Green – Vocals & guitar ( 1986 – 1990 )

Jed Highton – Lead Guitar ( 1986 – 1990 )

Paul Field – Bass Guitar ( 1986 – 1990 )

Charles Sammut – Drums ( 1987 -1990 )

Discography

Sorry Son / They Say – ( 7" single ) - Revolution Records ( Alan Thorne Engineer / Producer )                                         REV003   Recorded 7.7.1987  at Trafalgar Studios Annandale, NSW

Taste This!  ( 6 track 12" EP ) - Revolution Records ( Alan Thorne Engineer / Rob Younger Producer )                                 REVLP011   Recorded December 1988 at Trafalgar Studios  Annandale, NSW

References

2. Griffiths, Bruce ( 1986 ) Trousers in Action #13, August 1986, page 23 ( not online )

3.  Author Unknown. "On the Street magazine" – 20^th January 1988 ( not online )

4. Author unknown, Rock Australia Magazine #326  – 24^th February 1988 ( not online )

5.  Mueller, Andrew (1989) "On the Street magazine" – 17^th May 1989 ( not online )