Not The Face

Songs which will stand the test of time. Ambitious talk for a band which couldn't have more humble origins.

Not The Face spawned in November 1998 in Brisbane, Australia, when Ben Craven and Brad Douglas found themselves in the same band. Hastily assembled for a workplace event three days later, the band crammed a few classic rock covers, while the event's organiser assumed the role of lead vocalist. Not without trepidation, they performed on a Friday evening during drinks. The gig was a roaring success, but cracks in the lineup were already appearing. The vocalist's desire to lead an ABBA tribute act was not so enthusiastically shared by everyone.

The band painfully decided to take on vocal duties themselves, and continued to rehearse and perform at parties and work functions. The vocalist relocated to Canada. The wounds were deep.

By the time that Triple J's Unearthed competition reached Brisbane in May 1999, Ben and Brad had started writing original songs for an album, but these were still in their infancy. So a new track was cobbled together from existing music, augmented with lyrics written over lunch, and promptly recorded one Sunday afternoon. Released under the name "Shagpile", Crippled Minds paired sinister, soundtrack-style music with a surprisingly organic production. It met the deadline, but not the judges' approval. The track was later reworked for inclusion on the demo cd. It's still a pretty good song.

The self-produced demo cd reflects the duo's efforts to be recognised as craftsmen as well as songwriters. Each track is allowed the freedom to pursue the production it demands, while maintaining a cohesive feel. They weren't hand-picked. They were simply the first three songs finished for the Not The Face project.

Enough About You pairs a wry lyrical game of "Spot The Celebrity" with a rollicking, country-flavoured backing. The end result is something between Sheryl Crow and Stealers Wheel.

If You Knew is a thoughtful acoustic folk piece. Featuring a darker middle section, the track is reminiscent of Pink Floyd in its more tender moments.

Crippled Minds closes the disc with a not-so cheery and light-hearted jaunt through the pleasures of working life.

Songs crafted to stand the test of time. Secret ambitions for killer singles, radio classics, and landmark albums. Maybe even airplay on Triple J one day. Not The Face feels quietly confident.

Q: Say, those tracks sound pretty neat. Are you guys signed yet?

A: No. We're shopping around for a record deal.

Q: Where can I get the demo cd?

A: The cds were pressed for promotional use only. We're shopping around for a record deal. But drop us a line and we'll see if we've still got some lying around.

Q: I'm a great bassist and I'm looking to join a band.

A: Well, if Jason keeps missing rehearsals ...