ALPS HISTORY

Before the ALPS project first saw the light of day in 2006, Chris Hearn was a member in the following bands:

2005/2006 - HOMMUSIDE - featuring Chris Hearn on guitar.
Angry vegan/animal rights focused hardcore/punk rock group based in Newcastle, NSW. Played around 20 shows in the Newcastle hardcore scene and released one CDR.

2005 - IN NOT TOO LONG, WE'LL ALL BE DEAD - featuring Chris Hearn on guitar, synth and drums.
Improv noise/post rock duo with minimal lyrics but underlying nihilist themes. Exclusive and reclusive, only ever playing three times in art spaces, one time supporting D. Yellow Swans (US). No releases.

2004/2005 - BENE GESSERIT - featuring Chris Hearn on bass guitar, drums, vocals and guitar.
Experimental post punk/post hardcore group with an interest in mathematics and social comment. Played upwards of 40 shows, toured nationally twice, released two CD-EPs.

2004/2005 - ORGAN DONER KEBAB - featuring Chris Hearn on bass guitar and vocals.
Fast thrash/skate punk with tangents reaching into jazz and disco. Played frequently within Newcastle hardcore scene, toured once and released one 12 track album on CD.

2000/2003 - FASTER THAN FALLING - featuring Chris Hearn on guitar and vocals.
Punk rock leaning in a more indie direction, slightly immature lyrically but musically solid. Formed in Tamworth NSW and relocated to Newcastle NSW before splitting. Released one CD-EP and played solidly around NSW.

During this timeframe, Chris Hearn also played a minimal number of solo performances and also released his first CDs under the names "C. Hearn" and "Scalps".

ALPS DISCOGRAPHY

The purpose of this article is to outline the current discography of the "Alps" and related projects by Chris Hearn.

2005

ALPS - s/t EP

The debut release Chris Hearn's ALPS project was a sterile, bleak, politically left yet nihilist leaning collection of songs written over the previous two years for bands that had broken up or never happened, and acoustic guitars. Each of it's tracks still hold relevance in the live sets of Chris Hearn and those who listened to them. The track "I Burned An Australian Flag" recieved national airplay in Australia on JJJ radio, and ended up on three compilations: A Low Hum (500 copies), Shriek Sounds Autumn Oh Six (400 copies) and Summer Winds '06 (444 copies). The track "Newcastle, You Don't Hold Me So Tight" was also released on Handclappin' Records Chinese Whispers Compliation (200 copies), and the track Repetition, Repetition, Repetition was released on a later A Low Hum compilation (500 copies).

The EP was originally released as a handmade screenprinted CDR in a screenprinted jewel case in an edition of 250 copies, which all exhausted quickly leading to a repress on 250 3" CDs on avant-label "Fuck Labels". No more CD or Vinyl represses are currently planned.


2006

ALPS - The Origin of Species 8" EP

The Origin of Species was the first ALPS release to make it onto a phonographic record, and the first in what may become a series of theme records. The songs follow in a progression of time through the deconstruction of creation and into the nihilist pits of animal evolution and destruction. The records Darwin-meets-Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas artwork was drawn by the hand of Newcastle improv veteran Grant Hunter of "Crab Smasher" and "Squeamish Recordings" fame. The A side of the record featured five songs, and the B side a special hand-screenprinted design. The records were cut by Peter King Records in Ashburton, New Zealand, and were limited to 100 copies, which sold out immediately. Released by "Shrieksounds".

J.S.J./ALPS - Split 3"

This limited edition tour split CD was released to accompany a 25 date tour of Australia and New Zealand. It contains two of Chris Hearn's songs which were recorded in the sessions of the "Alps of New South Wales" LP and later released on that album. 100 copies, out on "Shrieksounds".

ALPS OF NEW SOUTH WALES - LP

The debut full length album by Chris Hearn's ALPS project was completely written, produced and recorded in a bedroom in Tamworth, New South Wales, into a dictaphone and karaoke machine. It was later mastered by Nick and Shaun from Newcastle/Sydney based improv sextet "Castings" and released in an addition of 300 copies on black 12" vinyl on boutique Sydney label "Sound and Fury" and on 525 replicated CDs on "Shrieksounds".

ALPS/FRASE+BRI - Split 7"

This 7" split with Christchurch NZ's Frase+Bri featured a brand new song from each band. It was released to coincide with the tour throughout New Zealand of both artists alongside two other NZ groups "So So Modern" and "Collapsing Cities". The ALPS side features the song SDIYPEPRC'05/'06. Released on "Shrieksounds" on 100 copies of Peter King cut acetate.

ALPS/HAIRCUTS - Split CDR

Split single between two artists of Annie St Warehouse fame. On "Squeamish Recordings". Contains one song from each artist, the ALPS song being the unreleased track "Dear Friends", which contains real singing and a tape solo. No pressing information available at this current time.

ALPS WEB SITE

This is the official web site for Chris Hearn's musical projects, mainly the project titled "Alps" and "Alps of New South Wales". Posted in the next few days will be music, photos and biographical information for use by people in the press and booking sides of music. People interested in a less formal and sterile webpage can dumben themselves at my space.