Member Since: 18/05/2006
Band Website: www.seensite.com
Band Members: THE MAN - the bloke that converted the others to his mighty religion based on booze and tunes, the ALMIGHTY RIGHT REVEREND RAPH. Found holding up the bar in many a haunt with his words of wisdom... he is our messiah...
Whats a band without sex appeal?? Nothing!!! Raph put his hand up for it, but the votes didnt add up - the beautiful Kate took the prize!!! and you should see what she does with a sax!!!!
and Daz, darn fine bloke, brilliant with the bass and an absolutely amazing deliverer of your washing machine (thanks for that again daz - andrew)
and then there are the others - too cool to give me any info!! i mean REALLY too cool - they put the fonz to shame!!
In December of 1995, Raphael Segal (ex-lead singer of noted band Mad Not Madness) moved to Adelaide. After settling in he started regularly attending a club called Pop held at a venue called Stix. It was here that he was recognised by Ian Houston. Houston, after learning that Segal was indeed the same Segal from Melbourne that was in Mad Not Madness, he asked whether he was interested in joining a band called "Arthur Daley's All Skas". Segal wasn't initially interested but finally relented on the condition that they form a new band from scratch. Houston and Segal then went about recruiting players all over Adelaide.
After the band was put together they performed some obscure cover songs but eventually started to write their own material. Many of the songs from these early years survived in the setlist till current day such as Space Girl, Rudeboy's Lament and Breadhead. Over the years many line up changes ensued. In 1998 they released their first official recording, an EP with 6 tracks recorded at Dave Grice's (of Fattrax fame) garage studio.
The EP was very well received and lasted in the charts Triple M SAMIA (South Australian Music Industry Assoc.) Top Ten for South Australia for over six months reaching number one many times.
In 1998 a band called Area-7 came to Adelaide and The Seen supported the show out at Flinders University. Raph for the first time since the demise of Mad Not Madness got to catch up with his old co-horts, Dugald, Chucky, Dan, Stevo from the early days. This formed a nice relationship between the two bands and The Seen has supported Area-7 many times since.
After more line up changes and changes in 2000-2001, they embarked on recording their debut album "Checkout". The Title track Stuck @ the Checkout was a rather obvious attack on the Howard Government's implementation of the Australian GST tax. Lyrics rang out "Ten per cent more or is it less" and was the first time the band got political in any way.
The band got to tour this album with the legendary band Bad Manners and Australian legends The Porkers after Pete Porker extended and invitation to The Seen to join them on the entire tour that travelled through Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra. The Porkers and The Seen bonded on this tour and became great mates. Whenever The Porkers are in Adelaide you wouldn't mind betting that The Seen would be supporting or in the audience.
The album gained some popularity and sold very well especially in their home state of South Australia.
In 2002 the band were asked again to travel interstate to play another gig with Bad Manners which they glady did.
Also in 2002 the band was asked to play a support for Reel Big Fish. After the gig Ian Houston, Joe Mount, Jason and manager Dave Edwards split from the group forming "Lucky 7" and "Houston's Dilemma". They are quoted as saying that the Reel Big Fish gig was great and that they wanted to leave on a highnote rather than a low one so more line up changes ensued.
In 2003 The band was still going after 7 years. Raphael being the only person left of the original line-up decided to put the band on ice indefinitely while the members formed another ska based project called GasKats. This would have similar aspects as The Seen but would take a few more risks with the songwriting, sound and show, and a newfound sense of seriousness.
Type of Label: Major