Editing Models (band) (section)

===1980–1982: ''Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf'' to ''Local and/or General''===
Models performed extensively both locally and interstate, supporting the [[Ramones]], [[The B-52's]], [[XTC]], [[The Vapors]] and [[Midnight Oil]] on national tours.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Mushroom"/> Rather than signing immediately, the group financed the recording of their first album to guarantee creative control. In November 1980, the Duffield, Ferrie, Friedenfelds and Kelly line-up released their first album, ''[[Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf]]''.<ref name="ARDb"/> They then, under manager Adrian Barker, signed to [[Mushroom Records]] and, as a sign of its respect for the band, the label agreed not to release any singles from the album, which peaked at No.&nbsp;43 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart.<ref name="Kent"/> It was well received by audiences on the live [[Pub rock (Australia)|pub circuit]]. The group intended to record completely new material for their studio albums. Much of their earlier work was unreleased until 2002, when ''Models Melbourne'', a [[compilation album]] of live material, was released.<ref name="ARDb"/>

Models' early style was a spiky, distinctive blend of new wave, [[glam rock]], [[Dub music|dub]] and [[pop music|pop]]: which included Kelly's strangled singing voice, Duffield's virtuoso synthesiser performances (he used the [[EMS Synthi AKS]]), and the band's cryptic, slightly gruesome, lyrics (e.g., "Hans Stand: A War Record" from ''Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf''), which were mostly written or co-written by Kelly.

Early in 1981, following a support slot for [[The Police]], the group signed an international deal with [[A&M Records]]. Friedenfelds was replaced on drums by [[Buster Stiggs|Mark Hough]] (a.k.a. Buster Stiggs) from New Zealand band [[The Swingers]] before recording commenced on their international label release.<ref name="ARDb"/><ref name="MilesSplitEnz"/> Friedenfields went on to play with [[Sacred Cowboys]], [[Beasts of Bourbon]], The Slaughterman and Tombstone Hands. The band went to England to record with producer, [[Stephen W Tayler|Stephen Tayler]] producing.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/> at Farmyard Studios, these tracks becoming the album ''Local and/or General''.

In June, demo sessions recorded earlier in Australia so impressed the band that they were released as a 10" mini album, ''[[Cut Lunch]]'' (July 1981), which was produced by [[Tony Cohen]] and Models except one by [[Split Enz]] keyboard player [[Eddie Rayner]].<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/> ''Cut Lunch'' peaked at No.&nbsp;37 on the albums chart and at No.&nbsp;38 on the singles chart.<ref name="Kent"/> It included the whimsical pop tune, "Two Cabs to the Toucan".<ref name="McF"/>

In October, their second full-length album ''[[Local and/or General (album)|Local &/or General]]'', was released. ''Local and/or General'' peaked at No.&nbsp;30 and provided the single, "Local &/or General" in November, which did not chart.<ref name="Kent"/>

Both albums helped widen their audience nationally, thanks to regular radio exposure on [[Triple J]] in Sydney and on community stations in other cities, as well as national TV exposure through their innovative [[music video]]s on programs such as the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC-TV) pop music show ''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]''.

During 1982, further line-up changes occurred with Ferrie and Hough leaving early in the year. Ferrie went on to form [[Sacred Cowboys]] with Garry Gray and Terry Doolan. He later (as of November 2010) became bass player in the ''[[RocKwiz]]'' house band on [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]] TV.<ref name="Beck"/> Hough became a graphic artist, art director and designer.<ref name="Hough"/> [[James Freud]] (ex-Teenage Radio Stars, James Freud & Berlin) joined the band on bass and vocals, with John Rowell on guitar and Graham Scott on drums (both ex-Curse).<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Howl"/> Kelly and Freud had been in high school bands which developed into Teenage Radio Stars.<ref name="McF"/> Freud had a solo hit single, "Modern Girl", which peaked at No.&nbsp;12 in 1980.<ref name="Kent"/> Rowell and Scott left Models in May 1982, with Duffield following.<ref name="McF"/> New Zealand drummer, Barton Price (ex-Crocodiles, [[Sardine v]]) joined.<ref name="McF"/> They recorded a single, "On", produced by veteran rocker, [[Lobby Loyde]], and released in August.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/> It had no mainstream chart success, but peaked at No.&nbsp;1 on the independent charts.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Kent"/> Gus Till (ex-[[Beargarden (band)|Beargarden]]) briefly joined on keyboards until Duffield rejoined in December.<ref name="McF"/> In 1982 they made a film, ''Pop Movie'', which featured animation and live footage of the band, it was screened on TV rock show, ''Nightmoves'', as well as at a few cinemas.<ref name="MemTV"/><ref name="Mushroom"/>