Biography
When the Models, an Australian new wave band, disbanded in 1988, their frontman Sean Kelly made an unsuccessful bid for solo stardom with the single “Thank You, Goodnight,” which borrowed its title from the group’s farewell tour. Success arrived soon afterward through the supergroup Absent Friends, assembled by Kelly as a vehicle that would also serve as Wendy Matthews’ launchpad. The fluid roster featured vocalists Kelly and Matthews alongside saxophonist James Valentine and keyboardist Andrew Duffield—both formerly of the Models—bassist Gary Beers, still active with INXS, guitarist Michael King from Jimmy Barnes’ backing band, and drummer John MacKay of the Machinations. Initially billed as Sean Kelly & His Absent Friends, the collective began performing in 1989 and opened for Crowded House at the Rock for Land Rights concert.
Their debut release, the independent single “Hallelujah” on the rooArt label, included ex-Models keyboardist Roger Mason. The track previewed the band’s sole album, 1990’s Here’s Looking Up Your Address, issued by rooArt with national distribution via BMG Music. Although the follow-up single “Hullabaloo” reached the charts, the group’s breakthrough came with the third single, a cover of soul singer/songwriter Eddie Floyd’s “I Don’t Want to Be with Nobody But You.” Showcasing Matthews’ lead vocals—she had previously backed the Models, Jimmy Barnes, Tim Finn, Richard Clapton, and Icehouse while also belonging to the Rockmelons—the recording featured backing vocals from fellow Rockmelons member Peter Blakeley and captured the ARIA Award for Best Single. The accolade propelled Here’s Looking Up Your Address to gold certification.
Keyboardist Andrew Duffield subsequently departed, with Geoffrey Stapleton of GANGajang taking his place; saxophonist James Valentine also exited. As bassist Gary Beers rejoined INXS for their European tour, Absent Friends extended their run by serving as the support act, occasionally employing Ron Francois on bass. Mounting schedule conflicts among the members rendered the project unsustainable, leaving the live EP Networking, recorded in Sydney, as their final document.
Their debut release, the independent single “Hallelujah” on the rooArt label, included ex-Models keyboardist Roger Mason. The track previewed the band’s sole album, 1990’s Here’s Looking Up Your Address, issued by rooArt with national distribution via BMG Music. Although the follow-up single “Hullabaloo” reached the charts, the group’s breakthrough came with the third single, a cover of soul singer/songwriter Eddie Floyd’s “I Don’t Want to Be with Nobody But You.” Showcasing Matthews’ lead vocals—she had previously backed the Models, Jimmy Barnes, Tim Finn, Richard Clapton, and Icehouse while also belonging to the Rockmelons—the recording featured backing vocals from fellow Rockmelons member Peter Blakeley and captured the ARIA Award for Best Single. The accolade propelled Here’s Looking Up Your Address to gold certification.
Keyboardist Andrew Duffield subsequently departed, with Geoffrey Stapleton of GANGajang taking his place; saxophonist James Valentine also exited. As bassist Gary Beers rejoined INXS for their European tour, Absent Friends extended their run by serving as the support act, occasionally employing Ron Francois on bass. Mounting schedule conflicts among the members rendered the project unsustainable, leaving the live EP Networking, recorded in Sydney, as their final document.
Albums
Singles
