A long time ago I interviewed Andrew Withycombe about Hydroplane. I did this interview through Bart Cummings, who sent him my questions and then shared with me the answers. So yeah, I’m not really in touch with Andrew. So I don’t know much about The Hanshalf Trio, a band he was involved before being in Hydroplane. I just thought I should look into it now, as it picked my curiosity once again.

I don’t know if the band was actually a trio. I see many names involved in the project. I do think the main driving force was Michael Nichols who would later be in Blairmailer and Crabstick as well as releasing a couple of records on 555 Recordings in the late 90s.

The band mostly released records on the legendary label Toytown. This label was a cassette label from Melbourne that was active from 1988 to 1998. It was run by Wayne Davidson.

The first release by the band was “The Four Elephants” album in 1988. It was on tape and had catalogue number TOY 6. Mike Nichols was on guitar and vocals, Geoff Nees (Cinnamon Boots, Ruff Ruff) on cello and vocals, Kim Lester (The Ampersands)  on drums and vocals, Wayne Davidson (from Toytown label and also from 202 Abercrombies, Horselephant, Stinky Fire Engine, The Wash Daddles, Mary in the Trees, Sooty’s Disco Without Legs, Lolly Plop & The Fatty Egg) on piano and organ and Jo Barter on vocals. From the liner notes the trio was Kim, Geoff and Michael. A Sibil is credited for guitar on “Collage of Love” and a Jamie for his tambourine work.

The songs on this album were 10, 5 on each side: “As Seen Through a Tambourine”, “The Man Who Once Was a Clown”, “And He Wore…”, “Underpants”, “Collage of Love”, “Reany Geia”, “The Ballad of the Man Who Was Once a Clown”, “Shame!”, “Bring Flowers Part III” and “Anybody Here Want to Buy Some Cabbage?”.

In 1989 the band releases their second tape album, “Fashion Colours” TOY4. This is a bit confusing to me. Catalog number is lower than the 1988 release. Maybe the years are wrong on Discogs? Anyone would know?

In any case the band releases 10 songs, 5 on each side: “Andy’s Coat”, “The Story of the Girl…”, “Make Mine Mink”, “Madeleine”, “Patsi Song” (this song written by Ken Leftner), “Beautiful Strangers”, “Guardian Devil”, “Richmond’s Economy”, “Bring Flowers (Part II)”, “(1/2) Hours of Weakness”.

On this record we find some lineup changes. Daryl Conway is now the bassist, vocalist, guitarist. And of course Mike Nichols plays guitar, vocals and drums. They have some special guests too. Michelle Bennet on vocals on the eighth and tenth song as well as percussion throughout the record. Wayne Davidson on keyboards on the second and third. Paul Ghuan on raunchy guitar on the third track. Vic “The Tugboat” Hartfree played on the sixth and eight. Aroha Greenaway plays violin on the sixth as well as vocals on the opening track. Leonie Hutchinson played percussion on the record and Ken Leftner played drums and vocals. Wayne was the producer.

In 1992 the band releases a new tape album, “Serenading Clogs with Daniel”. This was released by Frock Productions (KAT 9). This label was based in Sydney and was run by the great David Nichols (from the Distant Violins fanzine, and tons of bands). On this record the band was Michael Nichols and, remember I mentioned him before, Andrew Withycombe. It is true though that Geoff Nees contributed again, this time with vocals on the song “Bring Flowers”.

The songs are nine on this tape: “Only Missing You” (a cover from Daniel Johnston), “Bring Flowers (Part 5)”, “It’s Funny”, “Swallow”, “Uncrushworthy” (a cover of Courtney Love – Lois Maffeo’s band), “‘The Place’ Revisited”, “End?”, “More Dead than Alive” (another Daniel Johnston cover) and “Clogs”. All the songs had been recorded on February 23, 1992, in Brunswick, by Andrew, but “Bring Flowers” which was recorded in January 1990 in Mentone.

In 1992 the band releases their first bit of plastic, a 7″ vinyl, on Little Teddy Recordings from Germany. “Cilla Black’s Farewell to the Nineties” EP (LiTe705) was the title of the record that again had Mike Nichols on guitar and vocals, Andrew Withycombe on bass and vocals and now Bart Cummings from The Cat’s Miaow on drums and vocals. On this record we find “The Organ Solo Song” and “I’m Sick of Being Burned (Parts I and II)” on the A side and “That’s What I’m For” and “Clogs” on the B side.

The band also contributed some songs to compilations. In 1989 they had the song “Renee Geyer” on the cassette compilation “Jiving in Ljublijana – le hits du Zeeeeen” released by You’re Standing on My Hula Hoop Productions (HOOPLA 13). I am not familiar with this label nor the compilation. I’m very curious as i don’t know most of the bands (the only familiar name is Stinky Fire Engine). Also worth mentioning that Renee Geyer aside from being the song title was an Australian singer that died earlier this year.

In 1993 the band has “Cold Hard World” on the 7″ compilation “A Tribute to Daniel Johnston Vol. 1” released by Little Teddy (LiTe707). They have the fourth and last song on the record after the TVPs, The Bartlebees and Wimp Factor 14.

On Toytown’s cassette comp “Yummy!” (TOY32) the band contributed the song “As Seen Through a Tambourine”. This sampler comp came out in 1994.

Lastly in 2001, Little Teddy includes them on “Woosh! Little Teddy Recordings 1991-2001” a CD compilation featuring the label’s bands. On it The Hanshalf Trio has the song “That’s What I’m For”.

Sadly I can’t find more information about this Australian band. Maybe, some of my friends from down under remember them. Could let me know if they played live often. What years were they active. Are there more releases. Unreleased songs? Any information would be great to have!

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Listen
The Hanshalf Trio – Bring Flowers Part III