Southern Sons

Southern Sons was an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria in 1989 by members of The State along with lead vocalist and guitarist Irwin Thomas, who was then using the stage name Jack Jones. They are best known for their Australian top ten hits "Heart in Danger", "Hold Me in Your Arms", and "You Were There".

Southern Sons
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Years active1989–1996
LabelsWheatley Records, RCA Records, Sony BMG
Past membersJack Jones
Virgil Donati
Phil Buckle
Geoff Cain
Peter Bowman

Career

1989-1991: Beginnings and Southern Sons

Southern Sons were established in 1989 after the members of the group The State joined New York-born, Melbourne-raised, 19-year-old guitar prodigy Jack Jones. The group signed a record deal by Glenn Wheatley on his labelWheatley Records. [2]

In July 1990, Southern Sons released their debut single "Heart in Danger", which peaked at number 5 on the ARIA Charts. In November 1990, the single "Always and Ever" was released as well as the group's debut self-titled album, Southern Sons peaked at number 5 on the ARIA albums chart. "Hold Me in Your Arms" was released in March 1991 and peaked at number 9.

1992-1996: Nothing But the Truth and Zone

In August 1992, Southern Sons released "Lead Me to Water", the lead single from the group's second studio album. The song peaked at number 36. Nothing But the Truth, was released in November 1992 and came with the departure of guitarist Peter Bowman. The album's third single "You Were There" peaked at number 6 in May 1993. The Sydney Dance Company included three Southern Sons songs in its 1993 production of Beauty and the Beast. [3]

Southern Sons' third and final studio album, Zone, was released in 1996. The album's lead single, "Don't Tell Me What's Right", featured vocals from Men at Work's Colin Hay. The band split up in 1996.

1996-2018: After Southern Sons

Jones was married to New Zealand-born Australian actress Rebecca Gibney from 1992–1995. The marriage ended in divorce. He reverted to his birth name of Irwin Thomas some years ago, and has recorded under that name with a new band. He also was in a band with INXS member Gary Beers called Mudhead, which released one album. In 1999 Jones played with John Farnham on his I Can't Believe He's 50 Tour and the Tour of Duty Concert for peacekeeping Australian troops in Dili, East Timor. From 2004 until 2011, he was involved with Melbourne band Electric Mary, releasing new music independently. He left Electric Mary in 2011 and relocated to New York City.

Jones and Virgil Donati were part of Tina Arena's backing band for her In Deep tour.

Donati is currently living and working in Los Angeles, running clinics and recording with a variety of artists including Steve Vai. He was a member of U.S. rock band Soul Sirkus in 2005. He also formed progressive metal/jazz fusion band Planet X in 2000 as well as touring with Allan Holdsworth since 2012. He has performed on many other artists albums as a session musician.

Geoff Cain spent several years living in Spain, then returned to Australia. He is now living back in Warrnambool with his family, and is involved in his local music scene.

Peter Bowman left the band before the release of Nothing But the Truth. Since leaving Southern Sons, Bowman has pursued songwriting and record production in the independent music sector, most notably working with Debra Byrne on her Sleeping Child album. A reunion tour is in the works.

2019-present: Band reformation

In November 2019, the band (minus Phil Buckle) reformed to be part of the One Electric Day concert at Cockatoo Island in Sydney, along with acts like John Farnham and James Reyne. Post-COVID-19, they are expected to continue further tours in Australia.


Members

  • Jack Jones (vocals, guitar)
  • Phil Buckle (guitar, vocals)
  • Peter Bowman (guitar, vocals)
  • Geoff Cain (bass)
  • Virgil Donati (drums)


Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
AUS
[4]
Southern Sons 5
Nothing But the Truth
  • Released: November 1992
  • Label: RCA Records, BMG
  • Formats: CD, Cassette
26
Zone
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: RCA Records, BMG
  • Formats: CD, Cassette

Compilation albums

Year Album Peak chart positions
AUS
[4]
1993 Truth (International release)

Singles & EPs

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
Album
AUS
[4]
1990 "Heart in Danger" 5 Southern Sons
"Always and Ever" 16
1991 "Hold Me in Your Arms" 9
"The World Is Mine" (European release)
Train Tracks (EP) 40
1992 "Lead Me to Water" 36 Nothing But the Truth
"I Can't Wait Any Longer" 111
1993 "You Were There" 6
"Sometimes" 99
"Silent Witnesses" 88
1996 "Don't Tell Me What's Right" (with Colin Hay) 57 Zone
"Trust in Me"

Video albums

Year Album Peak chart positions
AUS
[4]
1991 Southern Sons: The Video (VHS)

Music videos

Year Song Director
1990 "Heart in Danger" Craig Griffin
1990 "Always and Ever" Lance Reynolds
1990 "Hold Me in Your Arms" Craig Griffin
1991 "Waiting for That Train" Neil Stone, Robbie Blackburn
1992 "Lead Me to Water"
1992 "You Were There"
1995 "Trust in Me"

Other appearances

Year Song Album
1990 "Heart in Danger" All the Rage
1991 "Hold Me in Your Arms" music video The Best of '91: All Australian Artists (VHS)
1991 "Hold Me in Your Arms" Here We Go '91
1991 "Always and Ever" Wiggle 'N' Sweat '91
1993 "The Little Drummer Boy" The Spirit of Christmas 1993
1995 "You Were There" Music from Blue Heelers (Television soundtrack)

References

  1. Leeson, Josh (22 December 2017). "Golden return of Price". Newcastle Herald.
  2. "Encyclopedia entry for 'Southern Sons'". Whammo. Archived from the original on 29 August 2004. Retrieved 15 August 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. "Encyclopedia entry for 'Southern Sons'". Whammo. Archived from the original on 29 August 2004. Retrieved 15 August 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  5. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
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