Young Modern has been played on NTS shows including Great Southern Lands w/ James W, with Sportsgirls first played on 26 July 2022.

It took 28 years but Australia’s godfathers of Power Pop Young Modern are releasing their sophomore album How Insensitive after interest in their music was reignited by Aztec Music’s 2005 25th Anniversary reissue of their posthumous debut 1979’s Play Faster.

The Band Young Modern formed in Adelaide, Australia, in 1977. Unashamedly soulful 60’s & 70’s guitar pop sensibilities, influenced by smart writers the likes of Ray Davies, Lou Reed and first wave power pop hero Alex Chilton, saw them become live scene mainstays. After recording in May ’78 with producer Stephen Cummings, the classic 7” She’s Got The Money/Automatic was released on their own Top Gear label. The move to Sydney to capitalise on industry interest seemed to demoralise the band who sadly disbanded in June ’79 just months before the second wave of power pop like Nick Lowe, The Knack and The Sunnyboys flooded the charts. Comprising the 7” tracks and demos, Play Louder came out in 1980. Bands like the Sunnyboys and Hoodoo Gurus were citing Young Modern as an influence soon after and fans like Croxton Records label head Mick Thomas would remember their impact, but it wasn’t until 2005 that the band received their due with the Aztec Records deluxe CD reissue of Play Louder.

The reissue prompted band members to meet for the first time in 26 years. Possible live shows to commemorate the album reissue were discussed but John Dowler convinced the band that something more significant should result, suggesting that the band record songs that hadn’t made it to the first album and had only ever been released as live recordings on the reissue.

The Record Young Modern recorded How Insensitive at the University of Adelaide over three days in May and June 2006, laying down twelve tracks to create a record that sounds fresh and dynamic, featuring six tracks fans would know from the reissue live bonus disc (Do You Care?, It’s Her Way, Girl of Mine, Pensacola Blues, Goodbye Weekend and The Ravers Hit Town) plus six live favourites (Lies, It Happened Today, Bracelets, Home of The Brave, Catholic Girls, Yeah Yeah Yeah). The guitar work is smart and punchy, the rhythm section sounds like they haven’t aged a day and John Dowler is in fine voice, still evidencing his talent for smart, cynical lyrics and great melodic hooks. Not just for fans, How Insensitive is for anyone who loves solid pop music.

The Future Successful launch shows for How Insensitive in Adelaide and Melbourne in early 2007.

Album Personnel John Dowler – vocals / Mark Carroll – guitars / Mike Jones – guitars, backing vocals / Andrew Richards – Bass / Mark Kohler – Drums / Eileen Dowler – backing vocals