Finch -

Finch was an Australian hard-rock band that released a standalone single on Picture Records in 1974, followed by a self-titled album with accompanying singles on self-press Eagle in 1976. On certain issues of their 1978 second album Nothing to Hide, the band is billed as Contraband. The following year, the band issued their third and last album under this new name.

Members: Owen Orford (vocals, 1973-79), Tony Strain (bass guitar, harmony vocals, 1973-78), Bob Spencer (guitar, 1973-77), Peter McFarlane (drums, percussion, 1973-78), Mark Evans (bass, 1977-79), Barry Cram (drums, 1978-79), David Hinds (guitar, vocals, 1977-79), Matt Hughes (organ), Chris Jones (guitar, 1975-77), Graham Kennedy (guitar, vocals, 1973-79), Sam Mallet (guitar, 1976-78), Sketa Pereira (guitar, 1977-78), Gary Quince (guitar, 1973-76), Graham Thompson (bass, 1977-78)

Background

Bassist Tony Strain (b. March 21, 1955; Sydney, New South Wales) and singer Owen Orford (b. June 17, 1954; Sydney) began collaborating in Sydney in 1972, forming the hard rock outfit Stillwater. Drummer Peter McFarlane (b. August 12, 1953; Sydney) and guitarist Bob Spencer (b. October 4, 1957; Sydney) joined shortly thereafter, with Spencer still attending high school. Strain had played in school bands, Orford performed in local youth ensembles, and McFarlane had training in percussion and rudimentary arranging. The members met through the Sydney pub circuit and mutual session work, developing a repertoire rooted in English-flavored blues and hard rock.

Stillwater won a 2SM/Pepsi Pop Poll in 1973, securing a contract with Picture Records. They released their first single, “Out of Control” / “And She Sings,” in January 1974. The band contributed three tracks — “Sail Away,” “Lady of Truth,” and “Roses” — to the soundtrack for the surfing film Drouyn, directed by Peter Drouyn. These early recordings highlighted their tight arrangements, layered vocals, and hard rock rhythms contrasting with the film’s jazzy incidental material.

The band changed its name to Finch in 1973. Following the release of Thunderbird in 1976, Spencer and Strain departed. From April to July 1977, Orford and McFarlane reassembled the lineup with Mark Evans (bass, backing vocals; ex-AC/DC), Graham Kennedy (guitar, backing vocals), Chris Jones (guitar), and later David Hinds (guitar, backing vocals), producing the material for Nothing to Hide. In 1978, the group adopted the Contraband moniker for international releases, with Barry Cram replacing McFarlane on drums. Contraband’s short tenure ended in 1979 after Portrait Records dropped the band.

Drouyn (OST)

Finch appeared on the Drouyn soundtrack alongside Peter Martin, delivering a mix of hard rock originals and short instrumental cues for the surfing film. The band at this stage featured singer Owen Orford, guitarist Bob Spencer, bassist Tony Strain, and drummer Peter McFarlane. The album contains original compositions including “Sail Away,” “Lady of Truth,” and “Roses,” as well as transitional and incidental pieces that underscore the film’s surfing sequences.

“Lady of Truth” emphasizes layered vocals over angular guitar turns, while “Sail Away” moves through rhythmic shifts and extended instrumental passages. “Roses” balances melodic lines with sudden rhythmic accents, complementing the short ambient cues interspersed throughout the album. All tracks are by Spencer, Orford, and Strain.

A1. “Searchin’” (2:24)
A2. “Runner” (3:15)
A3. “1 & 1” (3:24)
A4. “Sail Away” (3:38)
A5. “Bali” (2:22)
A6. “Japan” (1:30)
A7. “Thursday Song” (2:10)
A8. “Roses” (3:38)

B1. “Good Day” (2:37)
B2. “Drouyn Theme” (1:45)
B3. “Cynthia” (1:30)
B4. “Lady of Truth” (3:37)
B5. “D 13” (2:38)
B6. “Arabic Love Theme” (1:02)
B7. “Putting It Up” (3:37)
B8. “Alawatu” (1:00)
B9. “Drouyn Theme” (0:30)
B10. “Morning Comes the Sun” (3:20)
B11. “Tubes” (2:11)
B12. “Searchin’” (1:00)

Sessions occurred at Earth Media Recording Company in Sydney with Peter Martin producing and Ross Kirkland engineering. The album included additional musicians on keyboards, saxophone, and strings for the soundtrack elements.

Thunderbird

Finch released their first proper album, Thunderbird, in May 1976 on Eagle Records.

Thunderbird blends English-flavored hard rock with layered harmonies and extended instrumental passages, performed by singer Owen Orford, guitarist Bob Spencer, bassist Tony Strain, and drummer Peter McFarlane.

“Stay” opens with a driving riff and punctuated drums, while “Crystal Country Gorge” moves through contrasting tempos and vocal harmonies. “Mushroom” delivers longer, exploratory passages with sudden dynamic changes that showcase the band’s pub rock roots. All tracks are by Spencer, Orford, and Strain.

A1. “Stay” (3:09)
A2. “Pink Spiders” (3:15)
A3. “Hey Spunky” (3:44)
A4. “Poser” (3:45)
A5. “Crystal Country Gorge” (5:08)

B1. “Sail Away” (3:49)
B2. “Valley of Tears” (4:50)
B3. “One Nighter” (3:14)
B4. “Mushroom” (7:45)

Sessions occurred at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney with the band co-producing alongside John Zulaikha, who also engineered. The album’s photography was by Violette Hamilton and cover design by Ian McPherson.

Nothing to Hide

Finch released their second album, Nothing to Hide, in June 1978 on Epic Records. Soon after, they changed their name to Contraband to avoid confusion with the Dutch band Finch. Portrait Records reissued the album under the new name.

Nothing to Hide marks their shift to heavier hard rock and AOR with singer Owen Orford, guitarists Graham Kennedy and David Hinds, bassist Mark Evans, and drummer Peter McFarlane.

“Where Were You” combines a driving tempo with punchy guitar lines, while “Foolin’” balances concise arrangements with rhythmic interplay. “One More Time” uses dynamic shifts and multi-part harmonies to create contrast within its concise format. All tracks are by Orford and Kennedy.

A1. “That’s Your Way” (3:20)
A2. “Changes” (4:10)
A3. “Foolin’” (2:40)
A4. “Say You’ll Be There” (5:01)
A5. “Leave the Killing to You” (4:03)

B1. “Nothing to Hide” (3:10)
B2. “Dreamer” (3:46)
B3. “Where Were You” (4:12)
B4. “One More Time” (3:32)
B5. “Right Day for a Riot” (4:52)

Sessions occurred at Albert Studios in Sydney with Peter Dawkins producing and Bruce Brown engineering. CBS promoted the album with the single “Where Were You,” which reached No. 25 in Melbourne.

Contraband

Under the name Contraband, the band recorded a single self-titled album, released in May 1979 on Portrait.

Contraband features singer Owen Orford, guitarists Graham Kennedy and David Hinds, bassist Mark Evans, and drummer Barry Cram. The album contains songs such as “Lead Me to the Slaughter,” “Rainin’ Again,” and a cover of the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’,” combining heavy riffing with harmonized vocals and rhythmic contrast.

“Lead Me to the Slaughter” opens with sharp guitar turns and layered vocals, while “Rainin’ Again” shifts between extended riff sequences and more restrained sections. “Gimme Some Lovin’” adapts the classic 1966 hit into the band’s heavier rock context.

A1. “Lead Me to the Slaughter” (3:47) — Kennedy, Orford
A2. “C-61” (3:40) — Kennedy, Evans, Orford
A3. “Rainin’ Again” (3:45) — Kennedy, Evans, Orford
A4. “Twisted” (4:06) — Kennedy, Evans, Orford
A5. “Shot Down in Flames” (5:24) — Kennedy, Evans, Orford

B1. “Gimme Some Lovin’” (4:17) — Winwood, Davis, Winwood; cover of the Spencer Davis Group, 1966
B2. “Only a Fool” (4:11) — Kennedy
B3. “Jodie on the Break” (3:06) — Kennedy, Orford
B4. “Sittin’ Pretty” (4:20) — Evans, Orford
B5. “I Want La-Huv” (3:32) — Hinds, Orford

Sessions occurred at EMI Studios 301 with Peter Dawkins producing and Richard Lush engineering. Portrait issued the singles “That’s Your Way,” “Rainin’ Again,” and “Gimme Some Lovin’.”

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