This year is the 20th anniversary of a little known Aussie band from way back when called Indecent Obsession.
They bounced into my life way back in 1989, and I was smitten. They had four top 40 hits – Say Goodbye, Tell me Something, Never Gonna Stop and Come Back to Me – with their first album, Spoken Words, which got lots of people noticing because the band wore neon wetsuits! Later that year, the record company re-released it with a different cover. The pics are below. I also have the American version. So that makes the cassette, cd and album of all three versions. I’m such a collector!!!!!!
I’ve still got my promo packs, and collectables, the vhs tape of their videos, and all the goodies there was. In 1991 they were in America making their second cd, Indio.
There were four singles from that – Kiss Me, Indio, Rebel with a Cause and Gentleman Style. I love that song, but I don’t know if there was ever a film clip. Over in France, Whispers in the Dark was released and went to number 1. It wasn’t here, but I found the cd single and bought it off ebay.
In 1992, lead singer, David Dixon, left to pursue the Aussie stage production of Joseph and His Dreamcoat, He was also in our local soapie, Home and Away. That was the end of IO as it was. Andrew Coyne, the guitarist, also left, and remaining members, Michael Szumowski (pronounced – szoo-mouse-key) and Darryl Sims, moved to England and hired Richard Hennessy as the new singer, and Graham Kearns as guitarist, who actually looked liked Andrew Coyne with short hair. Quite good looking he was!
What followed was Relativity. The first single, Fixing a Broken Heart, was a ballad that accompanied a tour of Aus. Fall From Grace followed as the second single but did nothing on the charts. Overseas, One Bad Dream was released in Japan, I acquired that as well. And there’s a film clip for Lady Rain but I can’t find a single yet.
Indecent mark 2 was a new style of band. It was like David and Andrew had never been, the music was harder and edgier, and was completely different. They didn’t last long though, as there were no more cds or singles.
Indecent Obsession was over. Never to be reformed.
David Dixon has lived in many states and countries, pursuing a career in theatre and taking his family with him. The latest goss is that he lives in Orange. A town in New South Wales. He did release a cd single, Faith Love and Understanding, but I’ve never seen a cd.
Andrew Coyne seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.
Michael Szumowski is a well known Sydney music producer.
Darryl Sims, has worked with different bands but his whereabouts are not currently known.
I still love IO, and have most of my stuff. I just wish, in their 20th year, and with 80’s music being so popular, along with bands making comebacks, that they would too.
Anonymous says
My heart was swooning the whole time. So dreamy = )
L.J. Diva says
Yep, I swooned back in the day too. I had a HUGE crush on Michael Szumowski for 6 years!!!
L.J. Diva says
WOW!!!!
Thanks for the info Georgina, I've wondered for years what happened to him once he left the band.
Well I'll be damned, I got a reply from a sibling of Indecent Obsession!!!!
WOOHOO!!
Anonymous says
These guys were unlucky to have been labelled a boy band – They were so much better than any boyband we had to offer in the UK at that time!
Anonymous says
I do have the Indecent Obsession Video collection (covers just the first album clips) you can check out the track listing here … http://www.discogs.com/Indecent-Obsession-The-Videos/release/2625226
When I get a chance I will try to upload never gonna stop to youtube coz it is a great clip and it's a pity that it is not on!
Anonymous says
I was a huge fan too, loved all of their music, Kiss Me was my favourite. I'm actually living in Orange and I can absolutely say I have seen David Dixon many times here in town. He still looks as yummy as ever!
Anonymous says
Does anybody have a decent mp3 in good quality to share of "One Bad Dream"?? Been searching that song for years without luck.
mail it to me, if you like, at: m.o@lantic.net
L.J. Diva says
Look on ebay for for either the full cd or the single. I bought singles we never got here in Aus from ebay.
Anonymous says
Indecent Obsession have a facebook page now and are talking about a reunion tour!https://www.facebook.com/indecentobsessionband
Graham S says
In 1997, David Dixon completed his Commercial rotary wing licence (Helicopters) and took up employment as a junior helicopter pilot in the Northern Territory, flying tourists around.
He now works as a professional pilot with the NSW Air Ambulance.
Ewald Oosthuizen says
All I'm gonna say is this band was really unique & it's a pity that they broke up, they could have been as big as U2 today if they didn't break up, but unfortunately music today isn't what it was, too many problems in the industry especially when you reach success, unfortunately destiny doesn't always work out that way, I would really like to see a reunion as well, do it for your fans indecent obsession 😉