World of Stone is the debut extended play by Australian rock music group, Hunters & Collectors, which was issued in January 1982. Mushroom Records had specifically started the White Label imprint for alternative artists when signing the group. World of Stone was co-produced by the group and Tony Cohen and reached No. 50 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart.
Background
World of Stone is a three-track extended play released by Australian rock group, Hunters & Collectors, in January 1982.[1] The group had formed in the previous year by former members of Melbourne-based group, Jetsonnes: John Archer on electric bass; Doug Falconer on drums; Robert Miles as live sound and art director; Mark Seymour on guitar and lead vocals; and Ray Tosti-Guerra on guitar and vocals. They were joined by Geoff Crosby on keyboards and Greg Perano on percussion (ex-True Wheels).[1][2] Initially they were "a collective rather than a band, an excursion into funk-rock rhythms and industrial Kraut-rock".[3] Early performances included "banging of rubbish bin lids or fire extinguishers".[3]
For some performances they were expanded by a horn section, later dubbed Horns of Contempt, which comprised a variable line-up including Nigel Crocker and Michael Waters, both on trombone; Jack Howard, Andy Lynn and Chris Malherbe, each on trumpet; and Jeremy Smith on French horn.[1][2] According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, they were "hailed as the hip 'Next Big Thing' and the band to experience live".[1]Mushroom Records specifically formed a new alternative label, White Label Records, when they signed Hunters & Collectors.[1][3]
The EP was co-produced by Tony Cohen and the group.[2] In February it reached No. 50 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart, with the title track also credited at the same position.[4] The EP remained in the top 100 for eight weeks.[4][5] According to Seymour, his fellow band member Crosby was heavily influenced by Brian Eno and used the Korg MS-20 on "World of Stone" to provide a "deep, almost subsonic synth drone". Seymour felt that the drone, which was used on several tracks during the band's career, "conveys a broad limitless horizon".[6]
Track listing
All tracks are written by John Archer, Geoff Crosby, Doug Falconer, Robert Miles, Greg Perano, Mark Seymour, Ray Tosti-Guerra;[7] unless otherwise indicated.
