Ep 13: Real Life with David Sterry

A Journey Through Aussie Pop

In 1983, Australian synthpop exploded with a surge of new bands hitting the ARIA chart, Front and centre was Melbourne's Real Life, which had been plugging away since forming in late 1980 through a couple of newspaper ads. Electronic anthem "Send Me An Angel" was a massive success locally and took off overseas, becoming a hit in North America and Europe. Singer David Sterry talks about the band's great start on Wheatley Records in Australia and Curb Records internationally, as well as the mixed fortunes of follow-up singles "Openhearted" and "Catch Me I'm Falling" from debut album Heartland. The band went through a difficult — and expensive — second album Flame, which led to a tumultuous second half of the '80s with line-up changes, stand-alone singles not being released in Australia and a return to favour with a remix of "Send Me An Angel" in 1989, which did even better in the US than the original. Third album Lifetime followed in 1990 and David discusses that and Real Life's sporadic release and touring schedule since then, including a recent return to the stage after a four-year break.

Bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/aussie
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