Editing The Sharp (section)

== History ==
===1991–1992: Formation and ''Spinosity''===
In 1991 the Sharp was formed as a three-piece rockabilly, pop group in the Melbourne suburb of [[Collingwood, Victoria|Collingwood]] by Allan Catlin on double bass and lead vocals, Piet Collins on drums and Charlie Rooke on guitar and lead vocals.<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | author-link1 = Ian McFarlane | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'The Sharp' | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040930220255/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=364 | chapter-url = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=364 | access-date = 10 April 2016 | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | archive-date = 30 September 2004 | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 }}</ref><ref name="Leedham">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127522078 | title = Good Times: Sharp's meteroic rise | last = Leedham | first = Nicole | newspaper = [[The Canberra Times]] | volume = 68 | issue = 21,387 | date = 4 November 1993 | access-date = 11 April 2016 | page = 3 | via = [[National Library of Australia]] }}</ref> Rooke had formed 59 Sharp, a "good-time bar-band",<ref name="McFarlane"/> in 1988; he was later joined by Catlin, and alternating drummers Danny Simcic (also a member of [[Real Life (band)|Real Life]], a new wave-synth pop band) and Tony Day ([[Broderick Smith|Broderick Smith Band]]).<ref name="Macgregor">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-sharp-mn0001196020 | title = The Sharp &#124; Biography & History | last = Macgregor | first = Jody | work = [[AllMusic]] | publisher = [[All Media Guide]] | access-date = 10 April 2016 }}</ref> They "played 1950s rock'n'roll and rockabilly covers to a hardcore Melbourne following."<ref name="McFarlane"/>

Piet Collins, who was writing ''[[Neighbours]]'' episodes at the time,<ref name="Donovan">{{cite web | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/05/1091557978846.html?from=storyrhs | title = There goes the neighbourhood | last = Donovan | first = Patrick | work = [[The Age]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | date = 6 August 2003 | access-date = 10 April 2016 }}</ref> joined on drums in 1991 due to other commitments for both Day and Simcic.<ref name="Macgregor"/> The group were renamed as the Sharp, which according to Australian musicologist, [[Ian McFarlane]] "Boasting double bass, stand-up drums, rockabilly-tinged guitar licks and musicians dressed in all black... [they] presented a united front and an interesting twist on 1990s pop... [their] aesthetic push incorporated frisky pop melodies, tight arrangements, strong harmonies and grungy guitar riffs."<ref name="McFarlane"/> For the Sharp, Catlin and Rooke wrote original tracks, both individually and jointly. The group acknowledged the influence of the Kinks, the Beatles and [[the Easybeats]].<ref name="McFarlane"/>

In June 1992 they issued their debut CD three-track single "Love Your Head", on Mushroom Distribution Services.<ref name="McFarlane"/> It was produced by Nick Mainsbridge ([[The Triffids]], [[Tall Tales and True]], [[Ratcat]]).<ref name="Holmgren">[[Australian Rock Database]] entries:
* The Sharp:&nbsp;{{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805211212/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/s/sharp.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/s/sharp.html | work = hem.passagen.se | title = The Sharp | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 5 August 2011 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 10 April 2016 }}
* Nick Mainsbridge:&nbsp;{{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805133606/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/mainsbridgenick.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/mainsbridgenick.html | work = hem.passagen.se | title = Nick Mainsbridge | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 5 August 2011 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 10 April 2016 }}
</ref> They were signed to East West Music/Warner Music Australasia later that year. Their first hit single, "Talking Sly" (from the ''[[Spinosity]]'' EP), was written and sung jointly by Rooke and Catlin, which "received plenty of radio support and high critical acclaim."<ref name="VH Times 1"/> The associated EP reached the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]] top&nbsp;30.

===1993: ''This Is the Sharp''===
In May 1993, the band released "Train of Thought", the lead single from their debut studio album. It was co-produced by Mainsbridge with Peter Farnan (of [[Boom Crash Opera]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="VH Times 2">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196373951 | title = Sharp sound on the airwaves | newspaper = Times | volume = 88 | issue = 4,132 | location = [[Victor Harbor, South Australia|Victor Harbor, SA]] | date = 28 May 1993 | access-date = 10 April 2016 | page = 8 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref>

The Sharp released their debut album, ''[[This Is the Sharp]]'', in September 1993, which was co-produced by Farnan, Mainsbridge and the group.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> It peaked at No.&nbsp;13 on the ARIA Albums Chart. They promoted the album with an Australian tour as a support act for United States group, [[Spin Doctors]].<ref name="McFarlane"/> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993|ARIA Awards of 1993]] the Sharp received two nominations for "Talking Sly", [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Single]] and Best Video (directed by Chris Langman).<ref name="VH Times 1">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196373772 | title = Entertainment: Sharp by Nature | newspaper = Times | volume = 88 | issue = 4,128 | location = Victor Harbor, SA | date = 14 May 1993 | access-date = 10 April 2016 | page = 8 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref><ref name="ARIA List">ARIA Music Awards for the Sharp:
* Search Results 'Sharp': {{cite web | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/search/?view=list&text=sharp | title = Search Results for 'Sharp' | publisher = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) | access-date = 10 April 2016 }}
* 1993 winners and nominees: {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071214142945/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1993 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1993 | title = Winners by Year 1993 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 14 December 2007 | access-date = 10 April 2016 }}
* 1994 winners and nominees: {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120109051551/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1994 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1994 | title = Winners by Year 1994 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 9 January 2012 | access-date = 10 April 2016 }}
* 1994 Artisan winners and nominees: {{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040222130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/40484/20040223-0000/aria_awards/main.htm |url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1994 | title = 17th Annual ARIA Awards | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association | archive-date = 23 February 2004 | access-date = 10 April 2016 }} {{cbignore|bot=medic}}Note: User may be required to access archived information by selecting 'The History', then 'By Award', 'Engineer of the Year' and 'Option Show Nominations'.
</ref>

Further singles reached the top&nbsp;50 of the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]] including "Scratch My Back" and "[[Yeah I Want You]]". The latter had four cover versions of work by The Cure ("[[The Love Cats (song)|The Love Cats]]"), Blondie ("[[Hanging on the Telephone|Hangin' on the Telephone]]"), Lou Reed ("[[Vicious (Lou Reed song)|Vicious]]") and The Violent Femmes ("[[Add It Up]]").<ref name="Leedham"/> Collins explained "We've been playing these songs in our live set on and off for the past two years and we've created our own versions of them."<ref name="Leedham"/>

The Sharp were parodied in the second season of the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]'s [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[The Late Show (1992 TV series)|The Late Show]]'' in 1993. [[Jason Stephens (actor)|Jason Stephens]], [[Rob Sitch]], and [[Santo Cilauro]] portrayed The Sharp in "[[Polo neck|Skivvies]] are Back," a parody of the music video for the band's song "Scratch My Back." This sketch can be found in the VHS release ''The Best Bits of The Late Show Volume 3'' and the DVD release ''The Best Bits of the Late Show: Champagne Edition.''

===1994–1995: ''Sonic Tripod''===
A world tour followed in 1994 across the US, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany. At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1994|1994 ARIA Awards]] they received two further nominations, [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album]] for ''This Is the Sharp'' and [[ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year]] for its tracks, "Scratch My Back", "Yeah I Want You" and "Train of Thought" by Mainsbridge and [[Kalju Tonuma]].<ref name="ARIA List"/>

In August 1994, the bands's second album ''[[Sonic Tripod]]'', was released. It also reached No.&nbsp;13 and was co-produced by Farnan, Mainsbridge and the group.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Jacqueline Fuller of ''[[The Canberra Times]]'' felt it was "a foray into the new lyrical themes of social comment and psychological turmoil rather than The Sharp's typical love and party songs."<ref name="Fuller">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118192432 |title=Backstage: The Sharp's test tube baby | last = Fuller | first = Jacqueline |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=69 |issue=21,645 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=21 July 1994 |access-date=11 April 2016 |page=30 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It provided their highest-charting single "Alone Like Me", which peaked at No.&nbsp;20. The group were known for their image of black high neck skivvies,<ref name="VH Times 1"/> and energetic live shows,<ref name="Macgregor"/> including Catlin balancing on his double bass while playing, and Rooke leaping off the drum kit mid-guitar solo.{{citation needed|date=March 2008}}

Early in 1995 Adam May replaced Collins on drums, however in August the group announced their proposed disbandment due to burn out.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Macgregor"/> Rooke explained to Liz Armitage of ''The Canberra Times'' in that month how the Sharp had decided to break up: "It was a round-table discussion. A lot of people like to think there was (a conflict) but there wasn't, otherwise we wouldn't be doing a tour."<ref name="Armitage">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130560981 | title = Backstage: Revenge sung sweetly | last = Armitage | first = Liz | newspaper = The Canberra Times | volume = 70 | issue = 22,050 | date = 31 August 1995 | access-date = 12 April 2016 | page = 34 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref> Rooke reflected on their legacy "I think people will remember us for being a bit different... I'm sticking with the simplicity... I seemed to go for that vibe in the first, and I've always believed in it. I think you can do so much with that approach, but most groups these days are into bigger production."<ref name="Armitage"/> According to Armitage "Both Catlin and Rooke are expected to release something (separately) at the start of next year."<ref name="Armitage"/>

A compilation album, ''Single File (The Best of the Sharp)'', was released in September.<ref name="McFarlane"/> They performed their last gig on 22 October 1995 at the [[Hallam, Victoria#Places of interest|Hallam Hotel]].<ref name="Official">{{cite web | url = http://thesharp.realkosh.com/ | title = The Sharp: 'Alone Like Us' | publisher = The Sharp Official Website | archive-date = 7 August 2003 | access-date = 10 April 2016 | url-status = unfit | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030807091359/http://thesharp.realkosh.com/ }}</ref>

===1996–present ===
A posthumous collection of previously unreleased studio tracks, ''Skeletons in the Closet'', was released in 1996.<ref name="Macgregor"/>

Catlin formed a group, the Rush Effect, and wrote music for ads; Collins took up a career in journalism and writing; Rooke formed a group, Earlobe.<ref name="Macgregor"/> Rooke was later a studio session guitarist for [[Cezary Skubiszewski]].<ref name="NLA 1">{{Citation | author1=Skubiszewski, Cezary | author-link1 = Cezary Skubiszewski | author2 = McKenzie, Daryl | author3 = Victorian Philharmonic Orchestra | title = Black and white: original motion picture soundtrack | publication-date = 2002 | publisher = ABC Classics. Universal Classics & Jazz [distributor] | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/22716627 | access-date=12 April 2016 }}</ref>

In 2000 the Sharp performed a reunion gig in Melbourne,<ref name="Macgregor"/> and in July 2010 they reunited for a series of shows playing in Melbourne and Adelaide.

On 4th March 2024, The Sharp announced [https://www.facebook.com/share/v/DthkGiatnm4TUdLU/?mibextid=oFDknk via their Facebook page] that they would be reuniting without Catlin. Joining Charlie and Piet on double bass is [[The Living End]]s' [[Scott Owen]] and vocalist Louie Lee Feltrin. They band's shows have showcased the ''[[This Is the Sharp]]'' album in its entirety.

On 7th April 2025, The Sharp released a new, independent EP entitled '4'. The four-track EP features the first newly recorded material by the band since the 90s.