Boom Crash Opera where quickly signed to WEA records Australia and in 1986 released their debut single 'Great Wall'. The single reached number 5 on the ARIA National charts. Their self titled debut album, released in 1987, (Produced by Steve Brown and Alex Sadkin) went Gold and also featured the follow up singles 'Hands Up In The Air', 'City Flat' and 'Her Charity'.
Following on from the success of their debut in 1989 they released the top 10 single 'Onion Skin' from what would become their most successful album 'These Here Are Crazy Times' (Produced by Nick Launay and Richard Pleasance). 'These Here Are Crazy Times' spent more than 12 months in the Australian National Top 40 and achieved double platinum sales. 'Onion Skin' was followed by the top 20 singles 'Get Out Of The House', 'Best Thing', 'Dancing In The Storm' and 'Talk About It'.
In 1990 they released 'Look! Listen!!'. The album featured remixed versions of songs from their first two albums plus two new songs.
It was soon after the release of 'Look! Listen!!' that Richard Pleasance was diagnosed with Tinnitus. While Richard took time off he was replaced by Mick Vallance (Bass). It was during this break in 1991 that Richard released a solo album titled 'Galleon'. Featuring the singles 'Sarah (I Miss You)' and 'Don't Cry'. The album featured some of Richards closest friends in the industry including Paul Hester and Deborah Conway. Galleon was critically acclaimed and went on to earn Richard five nominations at the ARIA Awards. Richard then toured the album with Elvis Costello. Also at this time Richard co-produced and performed on the highly successful debut album for Deborah Conway 'String Of Pearls'. Richard also co-wrote a song on the album with Deborah called 'King Of Jordan'.
In 1991 they released the EP 'Dreams On Fire' with both Richard and Mick. The EP featured the single 'Holy Water'. Though the EP didn't perform as well as their previous efforts it brought the band and Keith Forsey together. This relationship would continue when Keith would end up co-producing their next album.
In 1992 they travelled to Los Angeles and began work on the follow up to 'These Here Are Crazy Times'. Soon after they began writing and recording Richard made the decision to leave the band. Richard was replaced by Dorian West (Bass).
The band returned from L.A. and Ian Tilley (Bass) joined as the permanent replacement for Richard. In 1993 they released the single 'Bettadaze'. It was followed by their third album, the L.A. recorded 'Fabulous Beast' (Produced by Don Gehman and Keith Forsey). 'Bettadaze' was followed by the singles 'In The Morning' and 'This Isn't Love'. Though the album went Top 40 it didn't perform as well as 'These Here Are Crazy Times' and soon dropped down the charts.
After the long and fairly successful tour of 'Fabulous Beast' they took a break. It was during this time off that Peter Farnan produced the debut album for[ 'The Sharp'][1](official website), a three piece band from Collingwood in Melbourne that went on to have some success. It was also during this break that Greg 'Spock' O'Conner (Keys/Guitar) left the band.
The remaining members returned to the airwaves and record stores in 1995 with a new contract with BMG and the double album 'Born' (Produced by Peter Farnan and Neil Wiles). The album was released as a double CD package. The idea being that after a few months they would release the second CD , 'Born Again'. 'Born' marked a real turn in the sound and look of the band. Featuring the Gary Glitter sounding single 'Gimme' and the follow up single 'Tongue Tied' The album was a lot more electronic than previous releases and though 'Gimme' received generous radio airplay the album failed to ignite renewed interest in the band. Due to this lack of interest BMG scrapped the release of the second part of the album 'Born Again'. Also in 1995 Richard released the follow-up to his debut album 'Colourblind'.
In 1996 Richard teamed up with singer/songwriter Wendy Morrison. They called themselves 'Felt' and released a self titled album on Gotham/BMG records.
1997 saw the release of Boom Crash Opera's last new release 'Gizmo Mantra' (Produced by Daniel Denholm, Kalju Tonuma and Boom Crash Opera). Pulling back from the electronic sounding 'Born', 'Gizmo' was somewhat of a return to the melodic rock sounds that fans where use to. Featuring the singles 'All' and a song penned by Peter and Richard around the time of 'Dreams On Fire' called 'Dreaming Up A Fire' the album again failed to return the band to the top of the charts.
A year later BMG released 'The Best Things' a greatest hits album featuring singles from all their albums plus the song 'Soundtrack' from their unreleased album 'Born Again'.
In 2002 Robert Doyle the Opposition Leader of Victoria used the song Dancing in the Storm as his theme song at the Liberal Party of Australia State election campaign launch in November. The Band wasn't asked their permission, and would have refused if asked according to Richard Pleasance. The campaign failed, and Steve Bracks of the Australian Labor Party won the election.
Various members have had success outside of the band. Peter Farnan has produced and written with up and coming bands such as Rachael Kane and Code. Greg 'Spock' O'Conner, who designed the majority of the bands cover art, now uses his Graphic Design skills to come up with record and book covers for other artists including a photo book he is currently working on for Peter Green (PR Manager for Neil Finn).
Without doubt it is Richard Pleasance who has had the most success outside of the band. As well as producing and co-writing with Deborah Conway, Richard has also produced, arranged, played and written with acts such as Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Suzanne Vega, James Reyne, Jon Stevens, Nick Barker, Seven Stories and Augie March. One of his biggest successes came when he wrote and produced the theme from the popular Australian television series 'SeaChange'.
In addition to his work as a record producer and score composer, Richard has composed music for a variety of documentary series and television commercials. And he has just released a new album with his new band Pleasantville. The band includes his wife, Michelle, and they recently released their debut album 'Hill of Beans' (2004).
Boom Crash Opera are still together. Though they haven't released anything since 'Gizmo Mantra' they still play the odd show. Greg and Richard have also rejoined their old band mates at some of these shows.
http://www.myspace.com/boomcrashoperabco
Talk About It
Boom Crash Opera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An ocean full of feelings lapping over me
I've got one wheel in the sand
An orchestra of voices trapped inside of me
There's a storm approaching both of us
Spitting out blinding voltages of memories
I am reaching out and hunting round
Digging up every skeleton inside of me
So if you're scare of me like I'm scare of you
And if you care for me like I care for you
And if you're loving me like I'm loving you
Come on, just.
Talk about it?!
Don't walk around me
When we're alone our eyes, they rarely meet
Arms and legs forgotten what to do
And all these orchestras of voices in my head
Still follow me and follow you. LISTEN!
So if it's hurting you like it's hurting me
And it's breaking you like its breaking me
And if you're loving me like I'm loving you
Come on, just.
Talk about it?!
Don't walk around me
The lyrics of Boom Crash Opera's song "Talk About It" express the complexity of a relationship. The opening lines depict intense emotional connection - the metaphor of a full moon in the eyes and an ocean of feelings implies deep and overwhelming emotions. However, the singer's vulnerability is also highlighted as he confesses to having "one wheel in the sand" - he is not entirely sure-footed and stable. The orchestra of voices could represent the many thoughts and conflicting emotions that plague the singer's mind, while the approaching storm signifies the potential danger that is looming.
The chorus is an earnest plea for communication and honesty in the relationship. The repetition of "talk about it" emphasizes the importance of expressing feelings and seeking clarity rather than avoiding confrontation or shutting down. The second verse continues with the theme of a lack of intimacy and physical connection between the two persons, leading to confusion and uncertainty. The orchestras of voices suggest inner turmoil and the inability to silence one's thoughts.
Overall, the lyrics of "Talk About It" are a reminder that relationships are not always straightforward, and communication is key to maintaining a healthy connection.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a full moon in your eyes
Your eyes are expressing a deep emotion that I am picking up on.
An ocean full of feelings lapping over me
Your emotions are overwhelming me just like the waves of the ocean crashing onto a shore.
I've got one wheel in the sand
I feel like I'm stuck in one place and unable to move forward.
An orchestra of voices trapped inside of me
There are so many thoughts and feelings inside of me that I can't seem to express them properly.
There's a storm approaching both of us
There are difficulties on the horizon that we both have to face.
Spitting out blinding voltages of memories
These difficulties are bringing back past memories that are overwhelming and difficult to handle.
I am reaching out and hunting round
I am making an effort to communicate and find a way to resolve our issues.
Digging up every skeleton inside of me
I am trying to confront and deal with the issues that I have buried deep inside.
So if you're scared of me like I'm scared of you
If you have fears or doubts about our relationship, I can relate to those feelings.
And if you care for me like I care for you
If you have the same level of emotional investment in our relationship as I do, then we need to communicate.
And if you're loving me like I'm loving you
If you love me the same way I love you, then we need to work through our problems.
Come on, just. Talk about it?! Don't walk around me
Let's talk about our issues and resolve them, instead of avoiding them and causing more problems.
When we're alone our eyes, they rarely meet
When we're together, there seems to be a disconnect or discomfort between us.
Arms and legs forgotten what to do
We seem to have lost touch with each other physically and emotionally.
And all these orchestras of voices in my head
My mind is filled with conflicting thoughts and worries.
Still follow me and follow you. LISTEN!
These thoughts and worries are still present and affecting us both. It's important that we pay attention to them and communicate effectively.
So if it's hurting you like it's hurting me
If our issues are causing you pain and distress, then we need to address them.
And it's breaking you like its breaking me
If our relationship is causing both of us emotional pain, then we can't ignore it.
And if you're loving me like I'm loving you
If we both have a strong emotional connection, then we need to work together to fix our problems.
Come on, just. Talk about it?! Don't walk around me
Let's not avoid our problems - instead, let's work through them together by communicating openly and honestly.
Writer(s): R. Pleasance
Contributed by Jordan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Benny8940
One of the best Aussie bands ever. I played their cassettes endlessly.
Alan White
Some great songs came out of Australia in the 80s. We got to hear very few of them in the UK. INXS, Men at Work, Icehouse and a few others. Pity that BCO, Pseudo Echo and many others missed out.
Nathan Wells
Any Noiseworks or Midnight Oil over there?
Cheryl Elaine Williams
this guy bleeds in every performance. he gives his heart.
Donald Yeoman
Their music was filled with such deep raw heartfelt emotion..and listening to such beautifull music,just made me feel so alive!..I miss the 1980s/1990s so much..such wonderfull times!..music isn't created like this any more!.
bradburyone
why wernt these guys as big as inxs. they are brilliant, great songs the front man was terrific what a voice.
Reverse Universe
bradburyone coz there not INXS
peter giannaros
@Reverse Universe I reckon they were better than inxs,
Reverse Universe
@peter giannaros Congratulations 🥳 🏅
Stevie D
Talk about a great band. We had a real glut of them in the 80s. What a decade for Aussie music. Sensational times.