Boom Crash Opera originated as a five-piece Melbourne outfit in 1985. Like numerous Australian acts, the group honed its craft on the pub rock circuit before issuing a debut album whose muscular rock textures echoed the “Listen Like Thieves” era of INXS while incorporating an English melodic richness reminiscent of Tears for Fears. Frontman Dale Ryder’s powerful lead vocals were supported by the band’s signature group chants, delivered by co-founders Richard Pleasance (guitar and bass) and Peter Farnan (guitar), both of whom also served as executive producers alongside Alex Sadkin. Sadkin completed the self-titled 1987 record yet died soon afterward. Keyboardist Greg O’Connor and drummer Peter Maslen rounded out the original lineup.
Five domestic hit singles followed, one of them the chart-topping “Great Wall.” Stateside attention arrived via “Her Charity,” while “Onion Skin” reached the U.S. Top Ten rock chart and “Talk About It” appeared on the second album, These Here Are Crazy Times. Despite the international breakthroughs enjoyed by INXS, Icehouse, and Midnight Oil, comparable fortune bypassed Boom Crash Opera, even though observers frequently contended that the band merited broader recognition. Additional setbacks arrived when Pleasance departed because of tinnitus and contractual disputes arose with the label. The group eventually signed with BMG and released Fabulous Beast, introducing bassist Ian Tilley as Pleasance’s successor.
Further Australian singles accumulated, leading to the 1998 retrospective Best Things; O’Connor exited shortly after its release. Pleasance subsequently produced Deborah Conway of Do Re Mi and Jon Stevens of Noiseworks, and he collaborated with both Suzanne Vega and Elvis Costello. John Farnham’s Gotham Records issued Pleasance’s solo albums Galleon and Colourblind.
