The Lighthouse Keepers, initially the Light-Housekeepers, were an Australian country and indie pop band formed in 1981 in Canberra. In November 1984 the group issued their debut studio album, Tales of the Unexpected, and a single, "Ocean Liner". In 1985 the band toured the United Kingdom supporting Hot label mates, The Triffids. The Lighthouse Keepers combined a "loosely rehearsed, casual ethos" They have also played tribute shows, benefits, (2009) and opened both nights of the final leg of a Laughing Clowns reformation tour at the Basement in Sydney (2009).

In August 2011, a further compilation of The Lighthouse Keepers' material "ode to nothing" was issued as a 15-track remastered "best of" CD. They were joined by Perth-based drummer Hugh Veldon for a well attended and reviewed live show at the Sandringham Hotel Sydney September (2011) followed by a string of suburban gigs during January and February 2012 in Melbourne, Canberra with the final performance in Sydney at Marrickville. Some of these shows featured ex- Widdershins left handed drummer Peter Timmerman as well as original drummer Steven Williams returning to reprise his role on some songs with extra excitement generated when he and Timmerman played drums simultaneously. The shows were unique in featuring a "guest speaker" each night.

Adapting to the new media LHK, old fans, and an emerging modern audience interacted via social network services which saw releases of additional self-produced DIY video clips from the band, and had the unexpected reciprocal benefit of generating a number of videos, captured by audience members of live performances from the reunion tour, using a variety of devices ranging from hand held mobile phones and cameras to digital video recorders and then uploaded to YouTube.

Postscript

Stephen O'Neil became a librarian and maintained an international recording and touring career with indie pop group, The Cannanes.

Appel and Ward formed the short-lived Rainlovers, which in 1987 evolved into Widdershins before disbanding in 1989. Appel and younger brother Steve also played live and recorded together in various loose-knit bands sometimes with their youngest brother David (vocals, trumpet, percussion). A fourth Appel brother, Rob, founded the Internet music retail website Chaos.com.

Ward is a scientific researcher who has studied the Dingo and still performs live casually. She participated in a 2007 podcast, and does occasional interviews. As "Jet" Ward she recorded a cover version of the song "Rachael Cooper" by Baterz ( a member of the cult band The Bedridden) on the 3× CD album, "Great Big Sqiddy Fun- A Baterz Tribute".

Appel has his own Spontaneous Films production company and has also worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) producing and/or directing radio and TV projects, including work with producer Paul Clarke on the ABC six-part music documentary series, 'Long Way To The Top' (August–September 2001).

Amongst other post The Lighthouse Keepers projects is Van Park – The Musical written by Appel and featuring music by Steve's King Curly and a cast including John Paul Young and Steve Kilbey, which premiered at the Seymour Centre during the 2010 Sydney Fringe Festival; and in March 2013 was revived for the Oakleigh 'Carnival of Suburbia' in Melbourne.

Members

  • Greg Appel – acoustic 12-string guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals (1981–2012)
  • Stephen O'Neil – drums, bass guitar, guitar, saxophone (1981–2012)
  • Juliet "Jet" Ward – vocals, bass guitar, keyboards (1981–2012)
  • Michael "Blue" Dalton – slide guitar, dobro, bass guitar, harmonica (1981–2012)
  • Steven Williams – drums (1983–2012)
  • Hugh Veldon – drums (2011)
  • Peter Timmerman – drums (2012)

Discography

Albums

  • Tales of the Unexpected (1984, Hot Records 1011)
  • Imploding (compilation album 1986, vinyl LP album, Waterfront Records <small>DAMP33</small>)
  • Lipsnipegroin (compilation album, 1999, 2× CD, Phantom Records <small>PHDCD-19</small>)
  • Ode to Nothing – The Best of The Lighthouse Keepers (15-track remastered retrospective, 2011, CD, <small>FEEL 009</small>)

Extended plays

  • The Exploding Lighthouse Keepers (Mini Album, 1983)

Singles

  • "Gargoyle"/"Demolition Team", "Quick Sticks" (Maxi-single, 1983, Guthugga Pipeline Records <small>GPR 001</small>)
  • "Gargoyle"/"Demolition Team", "Quick Sticks" (1984, Hot Records reissue)
  • "Ocean Liner"/"A Sad Tale" (1984, Hot Records <small>720</small>)
  • "Ode to Nothing"/"Seven Years", (1985, Hot Records <small>724</small>)

Other appearances

  • "Various" – Inner City Sound compilation :Laughing Outlaw Records Catalog#:LORICS-001.

References

;General

  • Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.

, RAM,

  • The Lighthouse Keepers on Facebook
  • The Lighthouse Keepers: History
  • LHK Virtual Archive & Recent Activities!
  • Sydney Inner City Music ON MP3 & WAV-LHK page