Forming in the early months of 1990, the Australian rock ensemble the Badloves began life under the name DC3. Its original lineup featured singer and guitarist Michael Spiby alongside his brother John Spiby on keyboards and saxophone, bassist Stephen "Irish" O'Prey, drummer Chris Tabone, and guitarist John Housden. John Spiby departed after roughly twelve months, prompting a succession of temporary keyboard players until Tony Featherstone joined, contributing guitar lines as well.
The band secured its initial major opportunity in 1992 by serving as openers for Hall and Oates, which led directly to studio sessions yielding the tracks “I Remember,” “Lost,” and “Green Limousine.” Executives at Mushroom Records responded favorably, prompting the group to record its debut full-length album, Get on Board. Michael Spiby, Stephen O’Prey, and John Housden supplied every song on that release.
During the following year the Badloves issued several singles together with two EPs—one untitled and the other titled Green Limousine—while maintaining an active touring schedule that included dates alongside the Sharp and the Baby Animals. The group also contributed performances to Australian singer Jimmy Barnes’s album Flesh and Wood.
Sustained visibility helped the debut album ascend first into the Top 40 and subsequently the Top 10, where Get on Board remained for three months. Lineup adjustments accompanied further road work in 1994 across Australia, Europe, and New Zealand after bassist O’Prey exited and John “Bull Frog” Favarro took his place. At that year’s Aria Music Awards the band received honors for Best Australian New Talent, Best Debut Album for Get on Board, and Best Debut Single for “Lost.”
Two additional projects followed: the studio album Holy Roadside and the twelve-track concert document Everybody Everywhere, captured during one of the group’s live appearances and featuring the hit “The Weight” along with “Caroline.” Clayton Jacobson filmed the majority of the Holy Roadside sessions, footage later issued on video.
