Nic Dalton Info Page

Biography

Nic Dalton was born on the 14th November 1964 and grew up in Canberra, Australia. He was a hyperactive kid, loud and always the class clown, and by 12 a huge punk fan. Also influenced by the Beatles and Velvet Underground, he started playing guitar at 14.

He first played guitar in Girls With Money and at the same time, drums in Get Set Go. He was also briefly in the big band version of the Gadflys with Stevie Plunder and sings a tune (Love Letter?) on the "Duck Soup" vinyl EP. Not long after this he formed The Plunderers with Stevie Plunder, in which he played bass.

In 1985 The Plunderers moved to Sydney, and released their first 7" titled, "Into The Ice B/W Strange Affection". Hippy Dribble and Captain Denim were formed, and consisted of the same members as The Plunderers. They would perform under a different name each week, just to make things interesting.

In 1989, Nic started a book store and record label both by the name Half A Cow which was inspired by a picture he'd had with him since school. The first release on his record label was by the Love Positions, (Nic and Robyn St. Clare) a 12" LP called "Billiepeebup".

Nic met Evan Dando whilst on tour with the Hummingbirds in 1990. Nic was filling in on bass for Robyn St. Clare who was pregnant with Simon Holmes' baby. Nic and his friends inspired Evan and broke his writers block.

Around about this time Sneeze were formed, Tom Morgan and Nic. They would write little pop tunes over the counter at HAC, guaranteed to be no longer then 2 minutes, for their philosophy is "if ya' can't do it in two minutes it ain't worth doin'." They decided to record these songs, and asked their new friends The Lemonheads (who they had met only a few days before) to play too.

On the beach one day with the Lemonheads, Nic decided to start a new band called Godstar. At that time Godstar were Nic, Tom Morgan, Alison Galloway and John E, but the line up changed many times throughout the bands life.

Nic joined the Lemonheads, went on tour with them for 2 years, recorded "Come On Feel The Lemonheads" with the Lemonheads, and "Sleeper" for Godstar, where ever he went. However, Nic didn't enjoy being on tour so much, and so quit the Lemonheads and went back to Sydney to concentrate on his label, book store, Godstar and Sneeze.

After releasing two albums and numerous 7" Godstar called it quits in 1996, but not before doing one last show and releasing one last compilation album and 7" in early 1997.

Nic formed another band called The Ultimate Vanilla. They featured Nic on bass, Bernie Hayes (Stevie Plunder's brother) & John E on guitars, Lara (Lustre4, Sneeze) on keyboards and Jesse (Smelly Tongues, Upsidasium) on drums. They formed to play a couple of shows at the Hong Kong Yaught Club for the changeover party but have also played 2 gigs in Sydney. They played cheesy 70s and 80s songs like 1999 and I Want You Back.

A new project for Nic The Kombi Nation. They have released one 7" called "There's Nobody Coming Over". They also contributed a track to the Anfarm Records "Cop It Sweet" compilation which came out mid-97.

The HAC book store closed in Jan 1998, which Nic is delighted about because it was taking up too much of his time and money. He will now have more time for his record label.

Around 1998, Nic and Tom began playing under the name Erbs N Pisces, doing only covers - but still songs they wrote! The only recording of Erbs N Pisces is of them on a Replacements Tribute album.

1998 saw the release of a new Sneeze (which now includes Lara from Lustre4 on drums) 12" called "The Four Seasons".

Nic has joind with John Encarnacao and formed Love And Death. They have released an LP called "Can Opened Mind" which is much like the bonus-disc "Love And Death" which came with "Coastal".

Sneeze released Doctor of Love in September 1999 and have been playing fairly regularly around Sydney to support the new single. They are close to finishing their latest 50 track album, due for release next year.

That same year saw 51 Monday being formed which features Nic on bass. They have released one ep called Rorscharch Test, and hopefully some more releases will follow very soon.

With Nic now running HAC from his home in Cowra, he has been able to spend alot more time on the label. Sneeze are still kicking on, recording and playing around Sydney. They did a few short tours at the beginning of 2000 to Melbourne and other places. They are still recording their next album, with a due date set for February.

Interview with Nic Dalton #1 (by Christina Soong)
Interview with Nic Dalton #2 (by Maryanne Window)
Interview with Nic Dalton #3 (by Kevin Gill)
Interview with Nic Dalton #4 (by Carolyn Farley)

Background created from a photo taken by Nick Cowie. Thanks, Nick!
Photo at top of page taken by Carolyn Farley please credit if using elsewhere.