THE STEMS
A Brief History :

Formed in1983 by Dom Mariani and Richard Lane who were serious students of cool underground 60;s garage punk, R&B and pop music. As they evolved they also embraced an updated power pop sound. But foremost it was their ability to write great songs and electric live shows that made them stand out from the rest.

In Perth, as the main focal point of the original band scene, THE STEMS made venues such as The Wizbah, The Old Melbourne, and The Shenton Park their own in a town and at a time otherwise dominated by cover bands.

In mid ’85 a 4 month sorjourn to Sydney to meet up with their new label Citadel and promote their first single MAKE YOU MINE/ SHE’S A MONSTER was perfectly timed with the Sydney inner city scene rediscovering 60’s music and fashion. The group met with an enthusiastic response which culminated in a full house at the legendary Trade Union Club for their final show. During this period they recorded the classic TEARS ME IN TWO single and the LOVE WILL GROW ep both produced by ROB YOUNGER of the legendary RADIO BIRDMAN.

THE STEMS completed several national tours and were perhaps one of the first bands to gain national success while remaining in Perth, and despite never having toured internationally they are held in high esteem in Europe and the US amongst fans of classic 60’s and garage inspired rock ‘n’ roll.

THE STEMS released a total of 5 singles, 1 ep and 1 full length album, and set an impressive record with each release reaching No 1 on the Australian alternative charts. It was their debut album though, and their first for the White label AT FIRST SIGHT VIOLETS ARE BLUE released in 1987 that received national and international critical acclaim and would be one of the best selling Australian albums of that year despite the lack of commercial airplay in the corporate FM dominated 80’s. Leaning toward a stronger pop sensibility the album highlighed the talents of Dom Mariani and Richard Lane as skilled tunesmiths of the guitar pop genre. The album was nominated in the top 100 Australian albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine and the title track “At First Sight “ reamians a bonafide Australian classic.

Unfortunately their success was short lived when at the height of their powers and on the eve of a 6 week European tour
they mysteriously disbanded later that same year.

THE STEMS epitomised 80’s indie rock, giving it a wider currency. They are one of only a handful of bands (among them the Hoodoo Gurus and The Sunnyboys) that cracked the mainsteam charts with an indie approach in the 80’s .

Main singer songwriter Dom Mariani would eventually go on to achieve greater international recognition and become a lynchpin of the international power pop scene with his bands DM3 and the Someloves.