Tablewaiters

The founding members, Graeme Synold and Tony Ameneiro, met in Sydney in 1980 while studying art at the Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education.{{Cite web|url=http://www.reverbnation.com/tablewaiters|title=Tablewaiters|publisher=Reverbnation|access-date=27 February 2014}} One of the band's first appearances was as a support act to Sardine v{{cite web| archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100719012400/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/119022/20100719-1124/www.nonightsweats.com/nns_memoirs_pg3.html/Tablewaiters.html| url-status=dead| url =http://www.nonightsweats.com/nns_memoirs_pg3.html/Tablewaiters.html | title = Tablewaiters | publisher = No Night Sweats - Sydney Post Punk Memoirs by Phil Turnbull |last=Gibson |first=Patrick| archive-date = 19 July 2010 | access-date=21 March 2014}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} at the Civic Hotel in Sydney in 1980. Various line up changes settled down in 1981{{Cite book | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/26580587?q&versionId=32012124 | page = 73 | title= Rock Australia | chapter = Waiting for the Tablewaiters | last = Elder | first = John | editor = Jerry Lacey | publisher = Magazine Promotions. National Library of Australia | year = 1982 | location = Sydney | isbn = 0-90955-822-1 }} with Gye Bennetts on drums (ex-The Agents),{{Cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofau00mcfa |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McFarlane |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=1999 |chapter=Encyclopedia entry for 'James Griffin and the Subterraneans' |chapter-url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=856 |isbn=1-86448-768-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040704153620/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=856 |access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-date=4 July 2004 |url-access=registration }} Ian Robertson on bass guitar and Ed Lee on guitar,{{cite web| archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090726142000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20090727-0020/www.howlspace.com.au/wollongongbands/WGong%20Bands%20web%20site/Tablewaiters.html | url =http://www.howlspace.com.au/wollongongbands/WGong%20Bands%20web%20site/Tablewaiters.html | title = Tablewaiters | publisher = Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music |last=Nimmervoll |first=Ed | author-link = Ed Nimmervoll | archive-date = 26 July 2009 | access-date=27 February 2014}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} along with Ameneiro on synthesiser and Synold on lead vocals.{{cite book|last=Walker|first=Clinton|author-link=Clinton Walker|title=Inner City Sound|year=1982|publisher=Wild & Woolley. National Library of Australia|location=Glebe, NSW|isbn=0-90933-148-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/innercitysound00walk/page/143 143]|url=https://archive.org/details/innercitysound00walk/page/143|url-access=registration}}{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2090055?lookfor=Who%27s+Who+of+Australian+Rock&max=730866&offset=4&#details|title=Who's who of Australian rock|last=Spencer|first=Chris|author2=Zbig Nowara |author3=Paul McHenry |year=1987|publisher=Five Mile Press|location=Noble Park, Vic.|page=366|isbn=1-87597-150-5}}

The line up of Ameneiro, Bennetts, Lee, Robertson, and Synold recorded material for an album, Gate, with Lobby Loyde in 1981 at the Alberts recording studio in Sydney. The album was never released{{cite web |url=http://www.innercitysound.com.au/Tablewaiters.html|title=Tablewaiters|publisher=Inner City Sound|access-date=28 February 2014}} because of financial problems. Various bootleg copies were in existence from the master tapes, though they are of poor quality as the recordings had not reached the mixing stage. The intended single, "Between the Lines",{{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130929121447/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/l/loydelobby.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/l/loydelobby.html | title = Lobby Loyde | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | publisher = Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) | archive-date = 29 September 2013 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 5 March 2014 }} and "Access", was never released. There were also a previous series of recordings with Colin Newham of The Reels.

Tablewaiters were managed by SCAM (suss city artist management), which also looked after Sardine v, The Sunnyboys, Machinations and Local Product.{{cite web|last=Collins|first=Sally|title=David McComb & the Triffids|url=http://www.thetriffids.com/cgi-bin/journal.cgi?folder=prose&next=13|publisher=Prose and Poetry. The Triffids Official Website|access-date=1 June 2013}} Loyde also produced material by other SCAM artists including: The Sunnyboys (extended play, December 1980), Machinations (November 1981) and Sardine v's single, "Sabotage".

Bennetts left Tablewaiters after the Gate recordings and was replaced by Phillip Hyrwka on drums. Hyrwka was previously drummer for Agents, the same band which had Bennetts earlier.{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/imageview/1DF4B4CCFBADA78E51E|title=Agents – 'Manhattan Project'|publisher=45cat.com|access-date=7 March 2014}}{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2090055?lookfor=Who%27s+Who+of+Australian+Rock&max=730866&offset=4&#details|title=Who's who of Australian rock|last=Spencer|first=Chris|author2=Zbig Nowara |author3=Paul McHenry |year=1987|publisher=Five Mile Press|location=Noble Park, Vic.|page=4|isbn=1-87597-150-5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/imageview/128E1A5BCB23B1A34F0|title=Agents – 'Seven Samurai'|publisher=45cat.com|access-date=7 March 2014}} Rob Barnham became Tablewaiters' regular manager. A publishing deal was signed and in 1984 they recorded and released a double A-sided 7" single, "Scattered Visions"{{cite web |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |title="Scattered Visions" at APRA search engine |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Scattered%20Visions | access-date = 27 February 2014}}/"Small Quiet Children", through Powderworks Records & Tapes.{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/pow0227|title=The Tablewaiters – 'Scattered Visions'|publisher=45cat.com|access-date=6 March 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://colsearch.nfsa.gov.au/nfsa/search/summary/summary.w3p;adv=yes;group=;groupequals=;page=0;parentid=;query=Organisation%3A%22%2FOrganisation%2Fkey%2F55630-1%22;querytype=;resCount=10|title=N.F.S.A. listing|publisher=National Film and Sound Archive|access-date=2014-03-25}} The cover artwork for the single was by Ameneiro.

With the pub rock scene in its heyday, Tablewaiters performed several nights a week, both in support spots and as a headline act. Being Sydney-based they were regulars at The Civic Hotel, The Trade Union Club,{{cite book | editor = Ed St John | title = The Big Australian Rock Book | year = 1985 | publisher = Megabooks. National Library of Australia | location = Neutral Bay, NSW|page=19 photographer Laura Lee|isbn = 0-95906-150-9|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/30914240?q&versionId=37501856 }} Governor’s Pleasure at the Rocks, as well as at many suburban venues. In Melbourne, they had several residencies at Macy’s in Toorak. Several tours and important support spots included playing with Simple Minds,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126862368 |title=Events and venues. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 December 1981 |access-date=27 February 2014 |page=38 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} The Psychedelic Furs, Split Enz, INXS, Midnight Oil, Machinations, Laughing Clowns,{{cite magazine | magazine = Juke Magazine | first = Linda | last = Campbell | editor = Ed Nimmervoll | date = 17 April 1982 | page = 9 }}{{better source needed|date=September 2019}} Models, Hunters and Collectors, Eurogliders, and The Birthday Party.Worksheets giving performance details by Tablewaiters:

• Supporting Birthday Party on 26 January 1983: {{cite web | url = https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Birthday_Party_Tablewaiters_Nucleus_Worksheet_1983.jpg | title = Performance Details: Tablewaiters | work = Nucleus | publisher = Nucleus Creative Entertainment | date = 26 January 1983 | access-date = 5 March 2014 }}
• Summerfest '83 on 31 January 1983, alongside North 2 Alaskans, Le Club Foote, Mental as Anything, and Men at Work: {{cite web | url = https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Worksheet_Summerfest_melbourne_tablewaiters_supporting_Men_at_Work_and_Mental_as_Anything.jpg

| title = Worksheet Details: Summerfest '83. Australia Day Weekend | publisher = Summerfest '83 (Andrew Snow) | date = 31 January 1983 | access-date = 6 March 2014 }}

• Psychedelic Furs support on 5 February 1983: {{cite web | url = https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Worksheet_Capitol_Theatre_Tablewaiters_supporting_Psychedelic_Furs.jpg | title = Performance Details: Tablewaiters | work = Nucleus | publisher = Nucleus Headliners Australia | date = 5 February 1983 | access-date = 6 March 2014 }}
• Split Enz support on 10 August 1983: {{cite web | url = https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Worksheet_1983_Split_Enz_tour_tablewaiters.jpg | title = Performance Details: Tablewaiters | work = Nucleus | publisher = Nucleus Creative Entertainment | date = 10 August 1983 | access-date = 6 March 2014 }}
• Split Enz support on 11 August 1983: {{cite web | url = https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Worksheet_b_1983_Split_Enz_tour_tablewaiters.jpg | title = Performance Details: Tablewaiters | work = Nucleus | publisher = Nucleus Creative Entertainment | date = 11 August 1983 | access-date = 6 March 2014 }}

{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

After some more self-funded studio recording the band broke up in 1986. After Tablewaiters' disbandment Ameneiro pursued a career in visual arts.{{cite web | title = Ameneiro, Tony | publisher = Trove. National Library of Australia | publication-date = 2012 | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1484126 | access-date = 5 March 2014 }} Ed Lee moved to Wollongong, where he has been in several bands there including ATE.{{cite web| archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090726142000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20090727-0020/www.howlspace.com.au/wollongongbands/WGong%20Bands%20web%20site/ATE.html| url =http://www.howlspace.com.au/wollongongbands/WGong%20Bands%20web%20site/ATE.html | title = ATE | publisher = Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music |last=Nimmervoll |first=Ed | author-link = Ed Nimmervoll | archive-date = 26 July 2009 | access-date=21 March 2014}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In 1992 Ed Lee and Tony Ameneiro recorded and released a self-funded, self-titled album under the name Chihuahua Chihuahua.{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2090055?lookfor=Who%27s+Who+of+Australian+Rock&max=730866&offset=4&#details|title=Who's who of Australian rock|last=Spencer|first=Chris|author2=Zbig Nowara |author3=Paul McHenry |year=1987|publisher=Five Mile Press|location=Noble Park, Vic.|page=67|isbn=1-87597-150-5}} Bennetts was later a member of various bands including Johnny Kannis Band (1988), Roddy Radalj and The Surfin' Caesars (1989), Hitmen D.T.K. (1989–90), The Psychotic Turnbuckles, and Klondike's North 40.{{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120928201706/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hitmen.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hitmen.html | title = The Hitmen / Hitmen D.T.K. | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | first2 = Didier | last2 = Georgieff | first3 = Craig | last3 = Regan | first4 = Gye | last4 = Bennetts | publisher = Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) | archive-date = 28 September 2012 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 5 March 2014 }}

Some of the early work was produced by Colin (Polly) Newham and Lobby Loyde.

• "Between the Lines" / "Access by Invitation" - Alberts (November 1981)
• "Scattered Visions" / "Small Quiet Children" - Powderworks Records (POW 0227) (1984){{cite web| url=http://www.discogs.com/Tablewaiters-Scattered-VisionsSmall-Quiet-Children/release/4584462|title=Tablewaiters - Scattered Visions/Small Quiet Children |work=Discogs|publisher=Zink Media, Inc.|access-date=27 February 2014}}

• "Confrontation with a Mountain", on Fast Forward cassette magazine, volume 11,{{cite web | url =http://spill-label.org/FastForward/ff11/ff11.php | title = Fast Forward vol 11 | publisher = Spill Label | access-date = 5 March 2014 }} produced by Lobby Loyde.

{{Reflist|25em}}

• [http://www.discogs.com/Various-Fast-Forward-011/release/2730795 Fast Forward by Various Artists] at Discogs

Category:Australian post-punk groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1980

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1986

Category:Musical groups from Sydney