Carus and The True Believers

Carus and the True Believers were an Australian folk, country, roots and reggae band formed in 1995 in Perth. They released three studio albums, Songs from Martin St. (February 2003), Long Nights Are Gone (2004) and Three Boxes (2007). Founding mainstay, Carus Thompson, went solo in 2008 and the group disbanded. He issued three studio albums, Creatures of Habit (2009), Caravan (2011) and Island (February 2017).

Carus and the True Believers
OriginPerth, Western Australia, Australia
Genres
Years active1995 (1995)–2008 (2008)
LabelsIndependent/MGM
Websitecarusthompson.com
Past members
  • Paul Keenan
  • Noel Manyam
  • Carus Thompson
  • Jason McGann
  • Andy Fry
  • John Bedggood
  • Mathieu Lucas
  • Mo Wilson
  • Ben Leahy

History

1995–2002: Early years

Carus and the True Believers were formed in 1995 in Perth, by 18-year-old front man, Carus Thompson, on lead vocals and guitar. They began performing on the local pub circuit, often for four or five nights a week. Thompson lists Paul Kelly as one of his early influences. The group supported local performances by Australian artists, Mick Thomas (of Weddings Parties Anything), Ed Kuepper and Neil Murray. In 2000 Carus and the True Believers released their self-titled first extended play, which attracted the attention of other artists. They backed Jack Johnson, John Butler Trio and then the Waifs. With the release of their second EP in 2002, Mind's Eye, Carus and the True Believers began touring interstate.[1]

2002–08: Songs from Martin St. to Three Boxes

After touring for almost a year, along the east and west coasts of Australia, in December 2002, Carus and the True Believers, with the line-up of Thompson, Paul Keenan on drums and Noel Manyam on bass guitar, recorded their first studio album, Songs from Martin St., in Melbourne's Martin Street Studios.[1] It was issued in February 2003, which Thompson co-produced with his brother, Christian Thompson, and includes guest performances by Vikki Simpson (of the Waifs) on vocals and John Butler (of the John Butler Trio) on guitar.[1] It has an eclectic mix of rock, reggae and folk styling,[1] which reached number 18 on the Australian Independent Records chart. The group relocated to Melbourne.[2]

Before the album appeared Paul Keenen had left to drum as a touring member of rock group, Eskimo Joe.[2] Thompson recruited Jason McGann (ex-the John Butler Trio) on drums.[1] The album established the trio in the new roots-folk scene, they followed with a national tour and then a tour of Europe.[1][2] Thompson gave a solo performance at Fremantle's Norfolk Hotel, which was recorded by engineer James Hewgill (worked for the Waifs), and was released as a double live album, Acoustic at the Norfolk, in October 2003. It has Thompson either solo on lead vocals and acoustic guitar or accompanied by Adam Gare on violin and Dave Johnson on harmonies and mandolin.

In April 2004, Long Nights are Gone, the second studio album by Carus and the True Believers was recorded in one day in Fremantle with half the songs written and recorded on the same day. Recorded in Thompson's parents bedroom, it depicts the process of writing and recording on the fly. John Bedggood has also played on Bernard Fanning's solo album, Tea and Sympathy and performed as part of the backing band on the album promotional tour. Carus and the True Believers issued a five-track EP, Breakdown (2005).[3][4] The line-up joining Thompson, Johnston and Gare were Ben Franz on bass guitar and Howle Johnstone on drums and percussion,.[3]

Albany Advertiser's staff writer caught their performance in Januaray 2005 and described the rest of the tour, "they head to the huge Falls Festival with the much hyped-soon to be massive the Vasco Era. The tour will see them play two nights in Melbourne at new venue The Northcote Social Club as well as two very special shows at Brisbane's The Troubadour.[4]

In 2006, Long Nights Are Gone was edited for the German market, combined with the EP, The Breakdown, and repackaged. In Australia, the album managed to further boost the prominence of the band with the single, "Ain't no Crime" taking out the number 1 spot on Triple J's Net 50. With another line-up change, after Long Nights Are Gone, Andy Fry replaced Noel Manyam on bass guitar. Fry also played bass for John Butler Trio.

The band released their third studio album, Three Boxes, in May 2007 in Australia, Britain and Germany.

2008–present: Solo

Carus Thompson issued his solo album, Creature of Habit, in 2009, and followed with Caravan in 2011. His third solo album, Island, appeared in February 2017.[5] Tex Miller of Forté magazine rated it at four-and-a-half out of five and explained, "Brilliant riffs, honest heartfelt lyrics and an element that is sure to have you singing along with a smile in no time."[5]

Members
Carus and the True Believers
  • Paul Keenan: drums
  • Noel Manyam: bass guitar
  • Carus Thompson: vocals, guitar
  • Jason McGann: drums, vocals, piano, lap steel guitar
  • Andy Fry: electric and double bass, guitar, vocals
  • John Bedggood: violin, piano, mandolin, vocals
  • Mathieu Lucas: electric and double bass
  • Mo Wilson: keyboards
  • Ben Leahy: ukulele

Discography

Albums
Carus and the True Believers
  • Songs from Martin St. (February 2003) – Independent
  • Long Nights Are Gone - Independent (2004)
  • Three Boxes - Independent (2007)
Carus Thompson
  • Creatures of Habit (2009)
  • Caravan (2011)
  • Island (February 2017)

Live albums
Carus Thompson
  • Acoustic at the Norfolk (October 2003)

Extended plays
Carus
  • Carus (2000)
  • Mind's Eye (2002) (CAR003)[6]
Carus and the True Believers
  • The Breakdown (2005) (CAR007)[3]

Awards

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
AIR Awards of 2009[7][8] Creature of Habit Best Independent Blues and Roots Album Nominated

References
  1. "Carus Thompson – Carus". TE Archive. 19 March 2003. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  2. Smith, Michael (12 April 2011). "Travelling Man". Drum Media (233). Perth. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  3. Carus and the True Believers (2005), The Breakdown, Carus Thompson, retrieved 7 October 2020
  4. staff writer (23 July 2005). "Double Dose of Talent". Albany Advertiser. Archived from the original on 23 July 2005. Retrieved 7 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. Miller, Tex (12 February 2017). "Carus Thompson: Island". Forté. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  6. Thompson, Carus; Carus (2002), Mind's Eye, Carus, retrieved 7 October 2020
  7. "AIR Nominees". 19 October 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  8. "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.


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