Biography
Midway through 1996, singer/songwriter/guitarist Julia Deans recruited three acquaintances to capture demo recordings of her original songs, with no sign that the effort would solidify into a lasting band or produce a New Zealand number one hit four years afterward. Prior to that session, she and drummer Simon Braxton had already shared a few informal jams. Guitarist Steve Wells first crossed paths with Deans through a mutual contact in 1995, after which the pair performed together in a short-lived group for roughly three months spanning 1995 and 1996. Bass player Andrew Bain, meanwhile, had shared stages with Wells in various projects dating back to 1990. Deans served as the sole connection among the four musicians and also supplied the name Fur Patrol after encountering the phrase in an article.
The resulting demos drew local notice in Wellington while securing rotation on Australia’s national Triple J network and on college radio in Ottawa. Fur Patrol earned the title of best original band at the Wellington music awards in both 1997 and 1998. The group’s debut EP, the six-track Starlifter, appeared in November 1998 on the Wellington indie label Wishbone Records and registered on the charts. Critics began positioning Deans somewhere between a tortured Kristin Hirsh and a seductive Chrissie Hynde.
A steady schedule of live shows accompanied each release, steadily elevating the quartet to the ranks of New Zealand’s most popular acts. The October 2000 arrival of the Pet album was bolstered by a tour alongside fellow Wellington bands Weta and Shihad, filling venues to capacity across nearly every city. Two months later the album achieved gold status. The single “Lydia” then received blanket airplay, propelling it to the number one position in mid-December. Fur Patrol moved its base to Australia in March 2001.
The resulting demos drew local notice in Wellington while securing rotation on Australia’s national Triple J network and on college radio in Ottawa. Fur Patrol earned the title of best original band at the Wellington music awards in both 1997 and 1998. The group’s debut EP, the six-track Starlifter, appeared in November 1998 on the Wellington indie label Wishbone Records and registered on the charts. Critics began positioning Deans somewhere between a tortured Kristin Hirsh and a seductive Chrissie Hynde.
A steady schedule of live shows accompanied each release, steadily elevating the quartet to the ranks of New Zealand’s most popular acts. The October 2000 arrival of the Pet album was bolstered by a tour alongside fellow Wellington bands Weta and Shihad, filling venues to capacity across nearly every city. Two months later the album achieved gold status. The single “Lydia” then received blanket airplay, propelling it to the number one position in mid-December. Fur Patrol moved its base to Australia in March 2001.
Albums
