The 1990s music scene in Brisbane was a hotbed of talent.
While tunes by Savage Garden and Powderfinger may still grace commercial radio stations, there were a couple of other bands with rockstar reps who are returning to the stage this week for a one-off show.
Toothfaeries and ISIS made The Zoo their spiritual home, delivering numerous shows to sold-out audiences, toured the country, played countless festivals (including Livid and Woodford) and created many songs that became the soundtrack of living in Brisbane in the '90s.
Both bands were most active between 1992 and 2002, but have since performed on several special occasions including Woodford Folk Festival. Toothfaeries and ISIS will both be performing full-length sets (the first for ISIS since 2000) at The Zoo this Friday, 9 September.
ToothfaeriesAhead of the show, ISIS member Rozi Pizzey shares the five albums from her parent's record collection that inspired her to make music. “Musically, I’m truly inspired by my parents,” Rozi says.
“I’ve sung with them, written songs about them, and with them. Always at family get togethers, guitars, ukuleles and voices fill the air with glorious song. Love, love, love all of these albums and many more. Dad once told me to sing with my own voice and that's when I started writing songs. RIP Dad, your music lives on in me. Xo”
1. The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night
The Beatles were my first introduction to music. It’s pretty straight-forward really. The Beatles taught me how to harmonise and how truly beautiful a simple song can be. I also learned the value, and joy, of collaborating with other songwriters. Lennon/ McCartney. What an incredible partnership. Need I say more?2. The Shadows’ Greatest Hits
When I listened to The Shadows for the first time, I realised that music didn’t need to be filled with words to move me. Most often when I write songs, the melody and music comes to me first, then the words. My co-writers are usually lyricists. I think The Shadows are probably the reason I picked up the guitar as my first instrument.3. A Star is Born Soundtrack - Barbra Streisand/ Kris Kristofferson
I was listening to this album long before I realised it was a soundtrack. I watched the film in my teens, and it certainly took the songs to a new level for me. It made me understand the combined power of music and film, and how it can create a whole new dimension of emotional response. From a vocal perspective, I always love singing along to Babs. It’s really satisfying and it’s certainly good practice. I love how she can go from sweet and tender, to strong and raunchy with such ease. I also love the grit of Kris’ voice on this album. A bunch of cracker songs too.4. Fifth Dimension - Greatest Hits On Earth
This album introduced me to soul, funk, pop, ballads, and the power of multiple voices singing in unison and harmonising together. Just love the sing-along quality of this album. Beautiful. It also didn’t hurt that I was completely in love with Billy Davis Jr and Marilyn McCoo.5. Nina & Frederik – Self Titled
Kind of my first introduction to ‘world music’ of a kind. Frederik grew up in Trinidad, and developed a deep love for the Calypso music. Nina and Frederik did their best to sing it, as if born into it. They weren’t taking the piss, they just loved the music, and in the process of making records, managed to expose this wonderful music to a society and generations of people who would otherwise have missed out.Toothfaeries and ISIS play The Zoo 9 September.
