In 1984, the ABC broadcast a series about a fictional young band called The Takeaways, depicting the trials and tribulations faced on their way to getting a break in the Australian music scene.
In 1984, the ABC broadcast a series about a fictional young band called The Takeaways, depicting the trials and tribulations faced on their way to getting a break in the Australian music scene. The plot included attempts to set up meetings, make a ‘killer demo’ and a video clip to match, and a healthy dose of prime-time romance.
There was also the guest appearance by Molly Meldrum and the professional, musical involvement of several industry figures; Deborah Conway, for instance, provided the singing voice of Carol Howard (played by Tracy Mann), though chose to remain un-credited for her efforts at that time. Members of The Aztecs, Skyhooks, Dragon, and The Divinyls also offered their services as session musicians, and GANGgajang formed as a direct result of the series. What Sweet And Sour fans got, then, was more than an inspiring story; they were also witnessing the result of the collective effort of Australians whose lives were dedicated to writing and playing music. In this sense, Sweet And Sour documents a creative tension between fact and fiction, reality and possibility.
For fans of Sweet And Sour, the two volumes of songs that were released on vinyl and cassette have had to suffice for 26 years, despite the cult following that the series has retained. Now, for the first time, 30 songs from are available on CD. No longer must we be resigned to scratched records, cursing our warped and crinkled tapes and battered artwork. At last we can enjoy the clarity of songs like Sweet And Sour, Singing In The Shower, Glam To Wham. You can still sense the youthful optimism that inspired many young Australians not only to play music but to recognise the importance of self-belief and perseverance.
Everything is on this release, including Sweet & Sour Theme Tune — Instrumental, the troubled No Focus, Crocodile Shoes, and The Kiss, which contains dialogue from a soppy scene between bassist George Poulopoulos (Arky Michael) and saxophonist Christine Yates (Sandie Lillingston) where she asks him to kiss her. Image Of An Angel, Pychosis and the instrumental Bill Posters are three more of the show’s most memorable tunes.
It makes absolutely no difference that the lyrics might now sound a bit corny, or that the sax and drums sound (very) dated. We can safely put all that down to the show’s charm. For this collection, once the soundtrack to a possible and positive future, means these songs and the story behind them now take us on a trip down memory lane. “Life can be sweet and sour, but I am in control.” It’s still a nice idea.
Sweet & Sour, Sweet & Sour Soundtrack is out now through ABC Music
