User:Second Thoughts Band
"Second Thoughts" a music Pub Rock Band formed in Western Victoria - Horsham -Victoria -Australia in 1984 and ended in Adelaide South Australia 1994.
Second Thoughts
Grant Bull (guitar, vocals,)
Steven Burns (bass guitar, vocals)
Craig Sayer (keyboard, guitar, vocals)
Rick Ballinger (vocals)
Peter Ballinger (drums)
“I first saw Second Thoughts in 1981 at the Locorno Hotel in Horsham, they were a three piece of young 16 year olds with a female drummer (unheard of back then). They were destroying The Police’s Roxanne but the music was good, a couple of years later I saw them at a practice session with a new lead singer, new drummer and another new member. Bully, Burnsy, Rick, Pete & Dirt were the line-up of Second Thoughts that would move from small town Horsham to the city of Adelaide and stay together for the next 15 years playing in clubs and pubs all over the countryside, belting out their own brand of rock & roll, never following any trends or rules for that matter. 20 years since their beginning, their music is still loved by those who heard it, at times songs can just come to you and get stuck in your head. Their collection of material out numbers that of some known acts, that’s why Second Thoughts are the ultimate Unknown, Unsigned, Unreal band ever produced in Australia”.
Mark Francis (aka Franny) Roadie, Financier, Friend. (2001)
The Second Thoughts Story….
The origins of Second Thoughts began in 1980 when 2 mates, Grant Bull & Steven Burns, decided to put together a band after spending countless hours thrashing out songs in the garage with their $50 guitars. With Grant on electric guitar & Steven on bass guitar, all they needed was a drummer to complete the line-up & they were cooking. Enter Dean Lawson, a school buddy of Grants. The super trio learnt a few of the hot tracks of the moment (My Sharona got a going over) & decided they were ready to unleash the beast on unsuspecting audiences. Somehow, they scammed a gig at the National Hotel Natimuk & got through the gig without a scratch. In fact, some of the punters apparently enjoyed it! Thank God for alcohol. The boys continued to hone their craft by rehearsing & doing the odd gig or 3 such as Bulldog's 21st birthday party. Very odd indeed
The Second Thoughts line up in Horsham 1980, Grant Bull (Guitar & Vocals), Steven Burns (Bass & Vocals) and Dean Lawson (Drums). The debut gig was unveiled at the National Hotel, Natimuk 1980.
From 1980 -1982, line-up changes included past members Peter “Pom” Moody (Drums), Samantha Taylor (Drums), until finally settling into the long-term line up of Grant Bull (Guitar/Vocals), Steven Burns (Bass/Vocals), Craig Sayer (Keyboards/Guitar/Vocals), Rick Ballinger (Vocals) and Peter Ballinger (Drums).
The band relocated from Horsham to Adelaide in 1984 and wrote and recorded a vast range of original compositions. Second Thoughts recorded at various studios including Peppers Studios, Platinum Studio, Fortissimo Studios and Tony Nesci Studios. Surprisingly Second thoughts didn’t release their first self-financed debut single – “All I Want…from You is your Love” on CD nationally until 1992. Studio producers and engineers included Michael Letho, Trevor Courtney, Daffy Williams, Don Bartley and Grant Bull. CD manufacturing had just been made available.
Second Thoughts in true loyalty and respect to their grass roots first released the CD in Australia at local music retailer “The Wimmera Music Centre” with a special live performance and release to a “invited guests only” performance to music lovers, The following week South Australian release at The Waymouth Tavern Adelaide.
Second Thoughts performed many gigs including support to Noiseworks, The Sunnyboys, Kevin Borich Express, The Angels, Matt Taylor and Chain.
In 1988 they formed alter ego Cold Chisel tribute show “Circus Animals” and toured extensively throughout Australia until 1996 (followed by many last stand performances over the years). Rock fans warmed to the concept immediately. The first performance of Circus Animals in Adelaide’s largest pub venue, the Old Lion Hotel, drew a capacity crowd of 1200 people. They loved the energy and passion of the Circus Animals show. The performance debut set a lofty precedent which Circus Animals maintained – big rooms, big crowds and big excitement. From 1988-1996 Circus Animals played in most major venues nationally and full house signs became the band’s regular calling card. Venue attendance records were set. Previous managers were Mark Draper and Geoff Skewes. Booking agents were Mark one Agencies, Vegas Promotions, Yellowstone, Adelaide Rock Exchange and Premier Harbour Artists. WA Booking Agent – John Starr Management. Qld Booking Agent Aust International Artists.