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Jordan Luck and Brian Jones disbanded from Basement.
Jordan Luck and Brian Jones disbanded from their first band, Basement. They relocated from Timaru to Christchurch with Steve ‘Fingers’ Cowan. -
The Dance Exponents Formation
Drummer Micheal 'Harry' Harallambi from the punk band Channel 4 and bassist David Gent were found and The Dance Exponents were created. 'Exponents' comes from bands being known as exponents. The 'dance' comes from the band wanting to make listeners dance. -
The Dance Exponents Debut
The Dance Exponents (TDE) debuted at Christchurch's Hillsborough Tavern, just one week after forming. TDE made a strong impression and quickly earned themselves a residency at the Christchurch Aranui Tavern -
Signing to PolyGram Records
TDE signs with PolyGram Records. -
Steve Cowan Leaves Band
Steve Cowan leaves TDE after the release of 'Victoria'. Cowan was replaced by Martin Morris for six months. Morris left before TDE's debut album. -
Signing to Mushroom Records
Jim Wilson, the groups manager, recommended TDE and they signed to Mushroom Records by Mike Chunn (former Split-Enz member). -
First Single: 'Victoria' (Mushroom)
TDE released their first single 'Victoria'. The single peaked at no. 6 in the charts in the week after release and was there for nine weeks. Along with the single, a music video was released. Backed by 'Can't Kiss The Lips Of A Memory'. -
Second Single: 'Airway Spies' (Mushroom)
TDE's second single 'Airway Spies' was released. It peaked at no. 11 on the charts for eight weeks. Backed by 'Your Best Friend Loves Me Too' and 'Poland' (which was exclusively on the 12" single). -
Chris Sheehan Joins Band
Chris Sheehan joined TDE on guitar. -
Single: 'All I Can Do' (Mushroom)
Single released 'All I Can Do' on Mushroom. Peaked at no. 23. Backed by 'The Empty Bunk In The Bunkhouse'. -
Radio With Pictures: Live At Mainstreet
TDE appeared as one of five bands on the live TVNZ series Radio With Pictures. As part of the Live at Mainstreet specials, an album was recorded at the Mainstreet Cabaret. The group Legionnaires was also featured on this album. The album peaked at no. 3 for nine weeks on the New Zealand album charts. Live at Mainstreet was also nominated for album of the year at the Aotearoa Music Awards (formerly New Zealand Music Awards). -
Single: 'Know Your Own Heart' (Mushroom)
Single 'Know Your Own Heart' on Mushroom. Peaked at no. 19. Backed by 'Just Me And You'. -
Supporting David Bowie at Western Springs
TDE was the support act to David Bowie at the 1983 Western Springs concert. This is widely regarded as the biggest crowd in New Zealand concert history. -
Debut Album Announcement in Rip It Up
Announcement for The Dance Exponents debut album Prayers Be Answered featured in the Rip It Up magazine. -
Single: 'Your Best Friend Loves Me Too' (Mushroom)
Single 'Your Best Friend Loves Me Too' on Mushroom. Backed by 'Airway Spies' and 'The Empty Bunk In The Bunkhouse'. -
Debut Album: Prayers Be Answered (Mushroom)
TDE's debut album Prayers Be Answered was released. It charted extremely well, staying on New Zealand music charts for almost a year and went double platinum. The album was suited well for the radio, closer to mainstream pop than new wave rock. -
Ian Taylor Shows Interest in TDE
After hearing demos sent to him by Mushroom Records, British producer Ian Taylor was interested in working with TDE. The band began working on their next album with Taylor at the Auckland Mandrill Studios. -
Michael Harallambi Leaves Band
Micheal Harallambi left TDE. Harallambi moved to Auckland to be a drummer in the band Grey Parade. For a short period Harallambi was replaced by the Christchurch drummer Steve Birss. -
Winning Top Group Award
TE won the Top Group Award in 1984. -
Single: 'I'll Say Goodbye (Even Though I'm Blue)' (Mushroom)
Single released 'I'll Say Goodbye (Even Though I'm Blue)' on Mushroom. Peaked at no. 18. Along with the single, a music video was released. Backed by 'Checking To See That Your Kiss Is The Same'. -
Single: 'Sex and Agriculture' (Mushroom)
Produced by Australian Julian Mendelsohn, the single 'Sex and Agriculture' showcased a darker sound for the band. Along with the single, a music video was released. The single had success in NZ, peaking at no. 11. However, due to immigration issues TDE were unable to promote the single in Australia. -
Changing Gears in Music Style
After the release of 'Sex and Agriculture', the band sought to continue in this more "assertive" style that Jim Barton had brought. -
Expectations Tour Announcement
An announcement and tour dates for the Expectations album promotional tour in the Rip It Up issue from April, 1985. -
Second Album: Expectations (Mushroom)
For their second album, Steve Birss was replaced by Vince Ely from The Psychedelic Furs due to only being with the band for a short time. The album contains the singles 'My Love For You', 'Christchurch (In Chase St. I Wait)', and the Australia only 'Greater Hopes, Great Expectations'. Eddie Olson joined the band as the drummer for the Expectations tour. -
Steve Cowan Passes Away
Ex-member Steve Cowan passed away. -
Third Album: Amplifier (Zulu)
The third album was produced by John Jansen and Doug Rogers, owner of Harlequin Studios. The release of Amplifier was under Zulu Records. The singles on the album were 'Caroline Skies' and re-recordings of 'Sex and Agriculture' and 'Only I Could Die (And Love You Still)'. -
Single: 'Brand New Doll' (Zulu)
After tensions in their partnership, Zulu Records released the single 'Brand New Doll' in 1987. The single was released without consent from the band. Insignificant sales led to TDE to relocate to London and Olsen leaving the group. -
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Minimal Band Activity
After moving to the UK, TDE did not have any significant activity or releases. They did discover the UK expat pub circuit. Thanks to Australian, Kiwi, and South African fans who had heard them back home, TDE were able to find some success. During this period, Jordan Lucky continued to write several new songs for the group. -
Record Deal Loss
TDE recorded a demo tape and CBS had been showing interest in signing the band. Muff Minwood of CBS went to a show at Fulham Greyhound, but the band's performance was unfortunate and TDE did not get the record deal. It instead went to the pop rock band Deacon Blue. -
Name Change to Amplifier
The band decided to change their name from The Dance Exponents to Amplifier. This was widely regarded as a bad move for the band, and the reason for the decision is still unknown. Changing their name essentially erased the band's identity, and an unsuccessful attempt at a New Zealand tour showed that no one knew who they were anymore. -
Signing with PolyGram Records
Adam Holt of PolyGram Records heard the London demo from the years before, and offered a contract to Brian Jones. The group signed on to PolyGram. Chris Sheehan stayed in London to form The Starlings and Michael Harralambi came back to the group. -
Name Change to The Exponents
After signing with PolyGram records, the band changed their name for the third and final time. They became The Exponents (TE). -
Single: 'Why Does Love Do This To Me' (Mercury)
Single released 'Why Does Love Do This To Me'
on Mercury. Peaked at no. 3 for twenty-nine weeks. Backed by 'Sadness'. -
Single: 'Who Loves Who The Most' (Mercury)
Single released 'Who Loves Who The Most' on Mercury. Peaked at no. 3 for fourteen weeks. One of their greatest hits. Backed by 'Cake Mix'. -
Signing to PolyGram Records Australia
TE signed to the PolyGram Records Australian label. They subsequently relocated to Sydney to record their next album. Brian Jones left the group at this time, and moved to the UK. -
Single: 'Whatever Happened To Tracey' (Mercury)
Single released 'Whatever Happened To Tracey' on Mercury. Peaked at no. 6 for eleven weeks. Backed by 'It Means I mean You' and 'Are Your Sure?' (on the CD single only). -
Album: Something Beginning With C (PolyGram)
TE recorded their next album Something Beginning With C. The album included their most iconic single 'Why Does Love Do This To Me?'. The album was extremely successful, a large part due to Jordan Luck's excellent song writing skills. -
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Dave 'Duck' Barraclough Joins
After the success of their last album, TE met with Australian Dave 'Duck' Barraclough. He joined the band as a guitarist and song writing partner to Jordan Luck. -
The Exponents to Appear at Mountain Rock Festival
The Exponents played at the 1994 Mountain Rock music festival. -
Album: Grassy Knoll (PolyGram)
Kiwi guitarist Dave Dobbyn featured on the album, living in Sydney at the time. Brent Williams also contributed to the album. Peaked at no. 9 for six weeks. The album had limited promotion in New Zealand, and only went gold. -
Single: 'La La Lulu' (Warner Music)
Dave Barraclough released his first contribution to the group, the single 'La La Lulu'. The single was backed by 'Helen' and 'Summer You Never Met', co-written with Jordan Luck. 'La La Lulu' put TE back onto the singles chart. Both songs were featured on TE's hit compilation album Once Bitten, Twice Bitten - The Singles 1981-1995 (Warner Music). -
Compilation Album: Once Bitten, Twice Bitten - The Singles 1981-1995 (Warner Music)
A compilation of TE hit singles from 1981 to 1995. The album was a major success and peaked at no. 1 on the New Zealand album charts. It went platinum x5. -
Single: 'Do You Feel In Love' (Warner Music)
TE recorded a one-off single for Warner Music, 'Do You Feel In Love'. This was their final work with Warner before the band signed with Sony Music. Peaked at no. 23 for four weeks. Backed by 'Galaxy' and 'Blue River Rising'. -
Signed to Sony Music
TE signed with Sony Music where they would record their next album. -
Single: 'One In A Lifetime' (Columbia)
Single released 'One In A Lifetime' on Columbia. Peaked at no. 24 for six weeks. Backed by 'Come And Go' and 'Infinity'. -
Album: Better Never Than Late (Sony Music)
The band released their sixth studio album Better Never Than Late. The album was produced by the ex-Split Enz member Eddie Rayner. The album featured the singles 'Once In A Lifetime', 'Close', and 'Change Your Mind' The album peaked at no. 3 on the album chart. -
Single: 'Close' (Columbia)
Single released 'Close' on Columbia. -
Single: 'Change Your Mind' (Columbia)
Single released 'Change Your Mind' on Columbia. -
Final Album: Hello, Love You, Goodbye (Sony Music)
The final album for the band, Hello, Love You, Goodbye, on Sony Music. Dave Gent had left the band, with Steve Simpson taking on bass in his place. Peaked at no. 48 for just one week. The album features six new studio tracks, and eight recorded live at the Poenamo Hotel in Takapuna. The album went along with their final New Zealand tour. -
Disbandment
TE disbanded after their 1999 album and tour. Dave Barraclough returned to Australia where he joined the band Mental as Anything. Jordan Luck formed his own band with songwriting partner Bryan Bell. The band played The Exponents songs and new compositions. -
Reformation
In 2005, the original four members of the band got back together to record two songs for their new compilation album. They recorded ‘Geraldine’ and ‘Or A Girl I Knew’. -
Compilation Album: Sex and Agriculture: The Very Best of The Exponents (Universal)
A compilation album of the best hits of The Exponents. The album peaked at no. 7 and remained for fifteen weeks.