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{{Short description|Australian new wave and synth-pop band}}
{{unreferenced|date=December 2006}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
'''Real Life''' was a [[Melbourne]]-based [[Australia]]n [[New Wave music|New Wave]] [[band (music)|band]] that had [[chart-topper|hits]] with its debut [[single (music)|single]], "Send Me an Angel" ([[1983]]) and with "Catch Me, I'm Falling" ([[1984]]), both of which were featured on the band's [[debut album]] ''[[Heartland (album)|Heartland]]'' (1983).
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2010}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Real Life
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| genre = {{hlist|[[New wave music|New wave]]|[[synth-pop]]}}
| origin = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia
| years_active = 1980–present
| label = {{hlist|Wheatley|[[Curb Records|Curb]]|[[A Different Drum]]}}
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|https://www.facebook.com/reallifetheband/}}
| current_members = David Sterry
| past_members = * Richard Zatorski
* Steve Williams
* Rob Burke
* Scott Ingram
* Alan Johnson
* George Pappas
* Danny Simcic
* Dean Walliss
}}
'''Real Life''' are an Australian [[New wave music|new wave]] and [[synth-pop]]<ref>{{cite web|first= John |last= Bush |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/real-life-mn0000343947/biography |title=Real Life &#124; Biography & History |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date= 26 August 2016}}</ref> band that achieved international chart success with their 1983 singles "[[Send Me an Angel (Real Life song)|Send Me an Angel]]" and "[[Catch Me I'm Falling]]", both of which were taken from their debut studio album, ''[[Heartland (Real Life album)|Heartland]]'' (1983). The band originally consisted of David Sterry (lead vocals and guitar), Richard Zatorski (keyboards and violin), Allan Johnson (bass), and Danny Simcic (drums). Steve Williams (keyboards) replaced Zatorski in 1986, and was replaced by George Pappas in 1995 after a long hiatus of band activity.


==Career==
==History==
===1980–1984: ''Heartland''===
The band originally consisted of David Sterry ([[singer|lead vocals]]/[[guitar]]), Richard Zatorski ([[violin]]/[[keyboard instrument|keyboard]]), Alan Johnson ([[bass guitar|bass]]) and Danny Simcic ([[drum kit|drums]]). Steve Williams (keyboard) replaced Zartoski in 1986, who was then replaced by George Pappas in 1996 after a long hiatus of band activity.
In late 1980, Richard Zatorski placed an ad in a [[Melbourne]] newspaper as a keyboard player looking for a guitarist with whom to write songs, and David Sterry responded. The two formed a writing partnership and began work on the material that would eventually become the first songs by Real Life. First using the name The Wires, Sterry and Zatorski started doing gigs accompanied by a primitive [[drum machine]] they named Gloria. In 1981, the pair decided to recruit more musicians, and through another newspaper ad, they found bassist Allan Johnson and drummer Danny Simcic. The group changed their name to avoid confusion with the English band [[Wire (band)|Wire]], and became known as A Private Life, which soon gained a loyal following,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://crypticrock.com/interview-david-sterry-real-life/|title=Interview with David Sterry|publisher=Cryptic Rock|date=17 March 2017|access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref> opening for bands such as [[INXS]], [[Mi-Sex]], [[The Church (band)|The Church]], [[Midnight Oil]], and others.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wallen |first=Doug |date=29 March 2017 |title=Send Me an Angel: the 80s synth-pop anthem that took over the world |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2017/mar/29/send-me-an-angel-the-80s-synth-pop-anthem-that-took-over-the-world |access-date=17 October 2018 |quote=“We used to open for INXS, Mi-Sex, the Church, Midnight Oil and many others. It was a great apprenticeship.”}}</ref> A band from [[Sydney]] called Private Lives threatened legal action over their name, which prompted them to change it once again, this time to Real Life.


After hearing an early version of "[[Send Me an Angel (Real Life song)|Send Me an Angel]]", the group's manager, [[Glenn Wheatley]], was so impressed that he formed his own label, Wheatley Records, to release it as a single in early 1983. "Send Me an Angel" became a top 10 hit in Australia,<ref name=aus/> and led to Real Life being signed to the [[Curb Records]] label (which was distributed by [[MCA Records]] at that time) for the world outside of Australia. The song went on to top the charts in New Zealand and Germany,<ref name=nz/><ref name=ger/> and entered the top 30 in the [[United States|US]].<ref name=hot100/> The second single, "[[Openhearted]]", was released in August 1983 and peaked at #72. In November 1983, "[[Catch Me I'm Falling]]" was released, eventually reaching the top 10 in Australia and Germany,<ref name=aus/><ref name=ger/> as well as the top 40 in the US.<ref name=hot100/> The band's debut album, ''[[Heartland (Real Life album)|Heartland]]'' (produced by [[Steve Hillage]]), entered the top 40 in Australia,<ref name=aus/> Germany,<ref name=ger/> New Zealand,<ref name=nz/> and Switzerland,<ref name=swi/> and peaked at #58 in the US.<ref name=billboard200/> "Always" was released in Europe in August 1984 as the album's fourth and final single, followed by the November 1984 release of ''[[Master Mix]]'', an [[Extended play|EP]] of remixes that peaked at #74 on the Australian charts.
Real Life released their second and final album with the original lineup in 1985 titled ''Flame'', which spawned minor hits "One Blind Love" and "Face To Face" although neither the album nor the singles repeated their previous success. The first single "No Shame" failed to chart, a [[music video|video]] was shot for the second single "Face to Face" and it got airplay in Australia but nothing in the way of success. In 1986, they recorded the controversial song "Babies", which was even less successful, for a new [[North America]]n release ''Down Comes the Hammer''. "Babies", was the first new recording by the band that was not written by David Sterry and Zatorski. There were two other new songs and a re-mix of "Send Me an Angel". Incredibly this was to be the first of three best of albums after the band had only [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] two [[recording studio|studio]] [[Gramophone record|LPs]]. Zatorski left the band due to management pressure and attended law school and is now a practising [[lawyer]] in Melbourne.


===1985–1986: ''Flame'' and ''Down Comes the Hammer''===
At some stage Zatorski formed a new band called Zatorski, and recorded an updated version of "Send Me an Angel". In 1989, they released a new version of "Send me an Angel", titled "Send Me an Angel '89", which fared slightly better than the original in the [[United States]]. The video for the 1989 version was identical to the original except Zatorski was edited out of all shots. The Australian video of "Send Me An Angel '89" was shot in a church with Steve Williams on keyboard. In 1990, they released ''Lifetime'', their first album of all-new material in five years, which spawned minor hits with "God Tonight" and "Kiss The Ground".
In September 1985, they released "Face to Face" as the lead single from their second studio album, ''[[Flame (Real Life album)|Flame]]'', which came out the following month. "Face to Face" was a minor hit, peaking at #32 in Australia, while the album peaked at #42. The follow-up single "One Blind Love" fared less well, while the album and its singles went largely overlooked in the rest of the world.


In 1986, they recorded a handful of new songs, which were the band's first recordings not written by Sterry and Zatorski. "Babies", written by the songwriting team of [[Holly Knight]], [[Michael Des Barres]], and [[Mike Chapman]], was released as a single, but failed to chart; another track, "Hammer of Love", was written by Steve Williams, who had replaced Zatorski earlier in the year. Both tracks were included on a compilation titled ''Down Comes the Hammer'' (which also included another new song, a remix of the title track of ''Flame'', and a handful of other tracks from the band's two albums), which was only released in North America and France. Also in 1986, the movie ''[[Rad (film)|Rad]]'' featured "Send Me an Angel" on its soundtrack,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rad (1986) : Soundtracks |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091817/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd |access-date=26 August 2016 |website=IMDb}}</ref> and featured it in a scene wherein riders on [[BMX]] bikes performed various freestyle stunts as the song played.
Steve Williams (keyboard) was the post Zatorski musician and was followed by George Pappas. A falling out occurred between Sterry and the remaining two original members Simcic and Johnson.


===1989–2000: ''Lifetime'' and ''Happy''===
In 1998, they released ''Happy'', which was followed in 2004 by ''Imperfection'', this time featuring only David Sterry and George Pappas. In November of 2005, George announced his departure from the band. David has continued to carry the band name on his own. In 2005 toured the West coast of the U.S. to promote the album ''Imperfection'' with additional member Scott Ingram on drums. For this tour the band consisted of David Sterry, George Pappas and Scott Ingram.
In 1989, Real Life released a new version of "Send Me an Angel", titled "Send Me an Angel '89", which fared slightly better than the original in the United States.<ref name=hot100/> The video for the 1989 version was identical to the original, except that Zatorski was edited out of all shots; another version for the Australian market was filmed in [[Ormond College]], [[University of Melbourne]], with Williams on keyboards.


The group released their third studio album, ''[[Lifetime (Real Life album)|Lifetime]]'', in 1990. This was their first album of all-new material in five years. The album spawned minor hits with "God Tonight" and "Kiss the Ground", both of which placed on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} [[Alternative Airplay|Modern Rock Tracks]] and [[Dance Club Songs]] charts in the United States. After a falling-out occurred between Sterry and the remaining two original members, Johnson and Simcic, the band went on hiatus for several years.
In 2006, a new album of new mixes ''Send Me an Angel'' was released, bring the total number of versions of the song to approximately seventeen, including: * 1983: the original recording * 1983: the extended version * 1986: "Down Comes the Hammer" version * 1989: 4 versions in remix form on the "Send Me an Angel 89" single * 2006: 10 versions in remix form on the Send Me an Angel album which has the same cover as the 2004 release Send Me an Angel - Real Life's Greatest Hits, which has two 1989 versions of the song.

In 1997, Real Life reemerged as a duo with Sterry and new member George Pappas on keyboards. Following the release of their fourth studio album, ''[[Happy (Real Life album)|Happy]]'', the band embarked on an extensive tour of the US, Germany and Australia, and were invited to perform at [[Salt Lake City]]'s Synthstock2000 with [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]] and [[Berlin (band)|Berlin]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.side-line.com/click-interview-with-alien-skin-with-a-change-of-attitude-comes-the-choice-of-sound-itself/|title='Click Interview' with Alien Skin: 'With A Change of Attitude Comes The Choice Of 'Sound' Itself'|date=31 March 2019|website=Side-Line|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref>

===2003–present day: ''Imperfection''===
In 2003, the band signed to the American independent label [[A Different Drum]], and released their fifth studio album, ''Imperfection''.<ref name=":0" /> They toured the west coast of the US in 2004 as a trio of Sterry and Pappas with drummer Scott Ingram. In November 2005, Pappas announced his departure from the band, leaving Sterry to continue as Real Life on his own, performing at various 1980s-themed events such as Australia's Absolutely 80s and the US' [[Lost 80's Live]]. Pappas began recording solo material under the name Alien Skin in 2007, and A Different Drum released his debut album, ''Don't Open Till Doomsday'', the following year.

On 19 May 2009, Real Life released their sixth studio album, ''Send Me An Angel – '80s Synth Essentials'', on [[Cleopatra Records]] in the US. In addition to another new recording (and two remixes) of "Send Me an Angel", the album also includes [[cover version]]s of twelve other 1980s new wave classics by acts such as [[Depeche Mode]], [[The Cure]], [[Eurythmics]], [[Tears for Fears]], and [[Gary Numan]].

After another lengthy hiatus, Sterry resurrected Real Life again in 2020 with a new studio album, ''Sirens''.


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Albums===
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
* 1983 — ''[[Heartland (album)|Heartland]]''
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
* 1985 — ''Flame''
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details
* 1986 — ''Down Comes the Hammer''
! colspan="5"| Peak chart position
* 1989 — ''Best of Real Life: Send Me An Angel''
|-
* 1990 — ''Lifetime''
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|[[Kent Music Report|AUS]]<br /><ref name=aus/>
* 1998 — ''[[Happy (Real Life album)|Happy]]''
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|[[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]<br><ref name=ger>German chart peaks:
* 2004 — ''Imperfection''
*''Heartland'': {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-114|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Real Life – Heart Land (album)|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=24 August 2016}}
*"Send Me an Angel": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-1101|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Real Life – Send Me an Angel (single)|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=24 August 2016}}
*"Catch Me I'm Falling": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-1128|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Real Life – Catch Me I'm Falling (single)|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=24 August 2016}}
*"Always": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-11924|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Real Life – Always (single)|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=24 August 2016}}
*"Face to Face": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-11925|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Real Life – Face to Face (single)|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|[[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br><ref name="nz">{{cite web |title=Real Life |url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Real+Life |access-date=2 June 2019 |website=charts.nz |publisher=Hung Medien}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]<br><ref name="swi">{{cite web |title=Real Life in der Schweizer Hitparade |url=https://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Real+Life |access-date=2 June 2019 |website=hitparade.ch |publisher=Hung Medien |language=de}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|[[Billboard 200|USA]]<br><ref name=billboard200>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/real-life/chart-history/tlp/|title=Real Life Chart History: ''Billboard'' 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Heartland (Real Life album)|Heartland]]''
|
* Released: November 1983
* Label: Wheatley <small>(WRLP 1003)</small>
* Formats: [[LP record|Vinyl]], [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Cassette tape|cassette]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 30
| style="text-align:center;"| 12
| style="text-align:center;"| 38
| style="text-align:center;"| 10
| style="text-align:center;"| 58
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Flame (Real Life album)|Flame]]''
|
* Released: October 1985
* Label: Wheatley <small>(SFL1 0128)</small>
* Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
| style="text-align:center;"| 42
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Lifetime (Real Life album)|Lifetime]]''
|
* Released: October 1990
* Label: Curb, <small>(D2-77271)</small>
* Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
| style="text-align:center;"| 95
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Happy (Real Life album)|Happy]]''
|
* Released: 1997
* Label: Momentum <small>(MOM1001)</small>
* Formats: CD
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''Imperfection''
|
* Released: 2004
* Label: A Different Drum <small>(ADDCD1193)</small>
* Formats: CD
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''Send Me an Angel – '80s Synth Essentials''<ref>{{cite web |title=Imperfection - News |url=http://www.reallifemusic.net/news.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224181229/http://www.reallifemusic.net/news.html |archive-date=24 February 2011 |access-date=31 March 2011 |website=Reallife}}</ref>
|
* Released: 2009
* Label: Cleopatra <small>(CLP3524)</small>
* Formats: CD, [[Music download|digital download]]
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''Sirens''
|
* Released: 2020
* Label: Not On Label
* Formats: Digital download
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
|}

===Compilations===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details
! colspan="1"| Peak chart position
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Kent Music Report|AUS]]<br /><ref name=aus/>
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Master Mix]]'' (EP)
|
* Released: November 1984
* Label: Wheatley <small>(VAL1 0470)</small>
* Formats: [[LP record|Vinyl]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 74
|-
! scope="row"|''Down Comes the Hammer''
|
* Released: 1986
* Label: [[Curb Records|Curb]]/[[MCA Records|MCA]] <small>(MCA-5834)</small>
* Formats: Vinyl record, CD, Cassette
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''Send Me An Angel '89''
|
* Released: 1989
* Label: Curb <small>(CRBD-10614)</small>
* Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''Let's Fall in Love''
|
* Released: 1989
* Label: Curb <small>(CRB-10624)</small>
* Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
! scope="row"|''So Far''
|
* Released: 1990
* Label: Curb <small>(SPCD 1187)</small>
* Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|}


===Singles===
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|Year
!align="left" valign="top"|Song
!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[ARIA Singles Chart]]</small>
!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Hot 100]]</small>
!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[German Singles Chart]]</small>
!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[Modern Rock Tracks chart|US Modern Rock]]</small>
!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[Hot Dance Music/Club Play|US Dance]]</small>
!align="left" valign="top"|Album
|-
|-
!Year
| 1983
!Song
| "Send Me an Angel"
!width="40"|<small>[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]</small><br><ref name=aus>Australian chart peaks:
| #6
*Top 100 ([[Kent Music Report]]) peaks to 12 June 1988: {{cite book|first=David|last=Kent|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives|year=1993|page=247|isbn=0-646-11917-6}} N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.
| #29
*"Send Me an Angel '89" ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]]) peak: {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/1mG6NH4.png|title=Chartifacts > Week Ending September 23, 1990 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 37)|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]], via Imgur.com|access-date=24 August 2016}}
| #1
*Top 100 (ARIA) peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf|page=230}}
| -
*"Kiss the Ground" (ARIA) peak: {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/3BAy4WE.gif|title=Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 14 June 2017|publisher=Imgur.com|access-date=14 June 2017}}</ref>
| -
!width="40"|<small>[[Ö3 Austria Top 40|AUT]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Real+Life|title=austriancharts.at > Real Life in der Österreichischen Hitparade|language=de|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>
| ''Heartland''
!width="40"|<small>[[RPM (magazine)|CAN]]</small><br><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=4253&|title=Item: 4253|website=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]</small><br><ref name=ger/>
!width="40"|<small>[[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]</small><br><ref name=nz/>
!width="40"|<small>[[Spanish Record Charts|SPA]]</small>
!width="40"|<small>[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]</small><br><ref name=swi/>
!width="40"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]</small><br><ref name="hot100">{{cite magazine |date= |title=Real Life Chart History > Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/real-life/chart-history/hsi/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[Dance Club Songs|US Dance]]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/real-life/chart-history/dsi/|title=Billboard > Real Life Chart History > Dance Club Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[Alternative Airplay|US<br>Alternative]]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/real-life/chart-history/mrt/|title=Billboard > Real Life Chart History > Alternative Airplay|magazine=Billboard|access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref>
!Album
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1983
| "[[Send Me an Angel (Real Life song)|Send Me an Angel]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
| style="text-align:center;"| 18
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 19
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 29
| style="text-align:center;"| 54
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|rowspan="4"| ''Heartland''
|-
| "[[Openhearted]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| 72
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
| "[[Catch Me I'm Falling]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| 8
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| 12
| style="text-align:center;"| 40
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
|-
| 1984
| 1984
|"[[Always (Real Life song)|Always]]"
| "Catch Me I'm Falling"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| #8
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| #40
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| #9
| style="text-align:center;"| 54
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ''Heartland''
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
|-
| 1985
|rowspan="2"| 1985
| "Face To Face"
| "Face to Face"
| style="text-align:center;"| 32
| #32
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 52
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ''Flame''
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|rowspan="2"| ''Flame''
|-
|-
| "One Blind Love"/"Love's Not Easy"
| 1989
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1986
| "Babies"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|rowspan="2"| ''Down Comes the Hammer''
|-
| "Hammer of Love"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1989
| "Send Me an Angel '89"
| "Send Me an Angel '89"
| style="text-align:center;"| 51
| #51
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| #26
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ?
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 22
| #5
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| 26
| style="text-align:center;"| 5
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ''Best of Real Life''
| ''Best of Real Life''
|-
|-
| 1989
| "Let's Fall in Love"
| "Let's Fall in Love"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ?
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| #21
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| 21
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ''Let's Fall In Love''
| ''Let's Fall In Love''
|-
|-
| 1990
|rowspan="2"| 1990
| "God Tonight"
| "God Tonight"
| style="text-align:center;"| 83
| #47
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ?
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| #15
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ''Lifetime''
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
| style="text-align:center;"| 15
|rowspan="2"| ''Lifetime''
|-
|-
| 1991
| "Kiss the Ground"
| "Kiss the Ground"
| style="text-align:center;"| 161
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ?
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| -
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| #27
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ''Lifetime''
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| 27
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
| 1996
| "Deep Sleep"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|rowspan="2"| ''Happy''
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1997
|"Meltdown"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
|"Like a Ghost"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| non-album single
|-
| 2004
| "Oblivion"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| ''Imperfection''
|-
| 2005
| "Send Me an Angel" <small>(Starcity with Real Life)</small>
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| non-album single
|-
| 2015
| "Way to Nowhere"/"Small World"
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| non-album single
|-
|-

|}
|}

==Awards and nominations==
===Countdown Music Awards===
''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC-TV]] from 1974 to 1987 and it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, known as the [[Australian pop music awards#1979–1980: TV Week/Countdown Music Awards|Countdown Music Awards]].<ref name="CountdownMarch1987">{{Cite web | url = http://www.countdownmemories.com/magazines/pdfs/1987_03.pdf | title = Countdown to the Awards | work = Countdown Magazine |date=March 1987 | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | format = [[Portable document format]] (PDF) | access-date = 16 December 2010 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1983
| ''Heartland''
| Best Debut Album
| {{won}}
|-
| "Send Me an Angel"
| Best Debut Single
| {{nom}}
|-
| themselves
| Most Promising New Talent
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.reallifemusic.net Real Life's official site]
* [http://www.facebook.com/reallifetheband Real Life] on [[Facebook]]
* [http://www.alienskinmusic.com Alien Skin (George Pappas) current solo project]
* [http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/real_life_1_/bio.jhtml VH1 page]
* [http://users.bigpond.net.au/peter.j/welcome.htm Heartland - The Unofficial REAL LIFE Homepage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090708122726/http://www.reallifefans.webs.com/ Heartland – The Unofficial REAL LIFE Homepage]
* [http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno234.html bmusic Where Are They Now? - Real Life feature]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311134317/http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno234.html Where Are They Now? – Real Life] at bmusic.com.au
* {{IMDb name|3160825|Real Life}}
* {{discogs artist|Real Life}}

{{Real Life}}


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:New Wave groups]]
[[Category:Australian musical groups]]
[[Category:1980s music groups]]
[[Category:1990s music groups]]


[[Category:1980 establishments in Australia]]
[[de:Real Life (Band)]]
[[Category:Australian new wave musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian synthpop groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Synth-pop new wave musical groups]]

Latest revision as of 20:10, 7 August 2024

Real Life
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Years active1980–present
Labels
MembersDavid Sterry
Past members
  • Richard Zatorski
  • Steve Williams
  • Rob Burke
  • Scott Ingram
  • Alan Johnson
  • George Pappas
  • Danny Simcic
  • Dean Walliss
Websitewww.facebook.com/reallifetheband/

Real Life are an Australian new wave and synth-pop[1] band that achieved international chart success with their 1983 singles "Send Me an Angel" and "Catch Me I'm Falling", both of which were taken from their debut studio album, Heartland (1983). The band originally consisted of David Sterry (lead vocals and guitar), Richard Zatorski (keyboards and violin), Allan Johnson (bass), and Danny Simcic (drums). Steve Williams (keyboards) replaced Zatorski in 1986, and was replaced by George Pappas in 1995 after a long hiatus of band activity.

History

[edit]

1980–1984: Heartland

[edit]

In late 1980, Richard Zatorski placed an ad in a Melbourne newspaper as a keyboard player looking for a guitarist with whom to write songs, and David Sterry responded. The two formed a writing partnership and began work on the material that would eventually become the first songs by Real Life. First using the name The Wires, Sterry and Zatorski started doing gigs accompanied by a primitive drum machine they named Gloria. In 1981, the pair decided to recruit more musicians, and through another newspaper ad, they found bassist Allan Johnson and drummer Danny Simcic. The group changed their name to avoid confusion with the English band Wire, and became known as A Private Life, which soon gained a loyal following,[2] opening for bands such as INXS, Mi-Sex, The Church, Midnight Oil, and others.[3] A band from Sydney called Private Lives threatened legal action over their name, which prompted them to change it once again, this time to Real Life.

After hearing an early version of "Send Me an Angel", the group's manager, Glenn Wheatley, was so impressed that he formed his own label, Wheatley Records, to release it as a single in early 1983. "Send Me an Angel" became a top 10 hit in Australia,[4] and led to Real Life being signed to the Curb Records label (which was distributed by MCA Records at that time) for the world outside of Australia. The song went on to top the charts in New Zealand and Germany,[5][6] and entered the top 30 in the US.[7] The second single, "Openhearted", was released in August 1983 and peaked at #72. In November 1983, "Catch Me I'm Falling" was released, eventually reaching the top 10 in Australia and Germany,[4][6] as well as the top 40 in the US.[7] The band's debut album, Heartland (produced by Steve Hillage), entered the top 40 in Australia,[4] Germany,[6] New Zealand,[5] and Switzerland,[8] and peaked at #58 in the US.[9] "Always" was released in Europe in August 1984 as the album's fourth and final single, followed by the November 1984 release of Master Mix, an EP of remixes that peaked at #74 on the Australian charts.

1985–1986: Flame and Down Comes the Hammer

[edit]

In September 1985, they released "Face to Face" as the lead single from their second studio album, Flame, which came out the following month. "Face to Face" was a minor hit, peaking at #32 in Australia, while the album peaked at #42. The follow-up single "One Blind Love" fared less well, while the album and its singles went largely overlooked in the rest of the world.

In 1986, they recorded a handful of new songs, which were the band's first recordings not written by Sterry and Zatorski. "Babies", written by the songwriting team of Holly Knight, Michael Des Barres, and Mike Chapman, was released as a single, but failed to chart; another track, "Hammer of Love", was written by Steve Williams, who had replaced Zatorski earlier in the year. Both tracks were included on a compilation titled Down Comes the Hammer (which also included another new song, a remix of the title track of Flame, and a handful of other tracks from the band's two albums), which was only released in North America and France. Also in 1986, the movie Rad featured "Send Me an Angel" on its soundtrack,[10] and featured it in a scene wherein riders on BMX bikes performed various freestyle stunts as the song played.

1989–2000: Lifetime and Happy

[edit]

In 1989, Real Life released a new version of "Send Me an Angel", titled "Send Me an Angel '89", which fared slightly better than the original in the United States.[7] The video for the 1989 version was identical to the original, except that Zatorski was edited out of all shots; another version for the Australian market was filmed in Ormond College, University of Melbourne, with Williams on keyboards.

The group released their third studio album, Lifetime, in 1990. This was their first album of all-new material in five years. The album spawned minor hits with "God Tonight" and "Kiss the Ground", both of which placed on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks and Dance Club Songs charts in the United States. After a falling-out occurred between Sterry and the remaining two original members, Johnson and Simcic, the band went on hiatus for several years.

In 1997, Real Life reemerged as a duo with Sterry and new member George Pappas on keyboards. Following the release of their fourth studio album, Happy, the band embarked on an extensive tour of the US, Germany and Australia, and were invited to perform at Salt Lake City's Synthstock2000 with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Berlin.[11]

2003–present day: Imperfection

[edit]

In 2003, the band signed to the American independent label A Different Drum, and released their fifth studio album, Imperfection.[11] They toured the west coast of the US in 2004 as a trio of Sterry and Pappas with drummer Scott Ingram. In November 2005, Pappas announced his departure from the band, leaving Sterry to continue as Real Life on his own, performing at various 1980s-themed events such as Australia's Absolutely 80s and the US' Lost 80's Live. Pappas began recording solo material under the name Alien Skin in 2007, and A Different Drum released his debut album, Don't Open Till Doomsday, the following year.

On 19 May 2009, Real Life released their sixth studio album, Send Me An Angel – '80s Synth Essentials, on Cleopatra Records in the US. In addition to another new recording (and two remixes) of "Send Me an Angel", the album also includes cover versions of twelve other 1980s new wave classics by acts such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, Eurythmics, Tears for Fears, and Gary Numan.

After another lengthy hiatus, Sterry resurrected Real Life again in 2020 with a new studio album, Sirens.

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart position
AUS
[4] 		GER
[6] 		NZ
[5] 		SWI
[8] 		USA
[9]
Heartland
  • Released: November 1983
  • Label: Wheatley (WRLP 1003)
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
 30 12 38 10 58
Flame
  • Released: October 1985
  • Label: Wheatley (SFL1 0128)
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
 42 – – – –
Lifetime
  • Released: October 1990
  • Label: Curb, (D2-77271)
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
 95 – – – –
Happy
  • Released: 1997
  • Label: Momentum (MOM1001)
  • Formats: CD
 – – – – –
Imperfection
  • Released: 2004
  • Label: A Different Drum (ADDCD1193)
  • Formats: CD
 – – – – –
Send Me an Angel – '80s Synth Essentials[12] – – – – –
Sirens
  • Released: 2020
  • Label: Not On Label
  • Formats: Digital download
 – – – – –

Compilations

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart position
AUS
[4]
Master Mix (EP)
  • Released: November 1984
  • Label: Wheatley (VAL1 0470)
  • Formats: Vinyl
 74
Down Comes the Hammer
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: Curb/MCA (MCA-5834)
  • Formats: Vinyl record, CD, Cassette
 –
Send Me An Angel '89
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Curb (CRBD-10614)
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
 –
Let's Fall in Love
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Curb (CRB-10624)
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
 –
So Far
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: Curb (SPCD 1187)
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
 –

Singles

[edit]
Year Song AUS
[4] 		AUT
[13] 		CAN
[14] 		GER
[6] 		NZ
[5] 		SPA SWI
[8] 		US
[7] 		US Dance
[15] 		US
Alternative
[16] 		Album
1983 "Send Me an Angel" 6 9 18 1 1 19 2 29 54 – Heartland
"Openhearted" 72 – – – – – – – – –
"Catch Me I'm Falling" 8 – – 9 – – 12 40 – –
1984 "Always" – – – 54 – – – – – –
1985 "Face to Face" 32 – – 52 – – – – – – Flame
"One Blind Love"/"Love's Not Easy" – – – – – – – – – –
1986 "Babies" – – – – – – – – – – Down Comes the Hammer
"Hammer of Love" – – – – – – – – – –
1989 "Send Me an Angel '89" 51 – – – 22 – – 26 5 – Best of Real Life
"Let's Fall in Love" – – – – – – – – 21 – Let's Fall In Love
1990 "God Tonight" 83 – – – – – – – 9 15 Lifetime
"Kiss the Ground" 161 – – – – – – – 27 –
1996 "Deep Sleep" – – – – – – – – – – Happy
1997 "Meltdown" – – – – – – – – – –
"Like a Ghost" – – – – – – – – – – non-album single
2004 "Oblivion" – – – – – – – – – – Imperfection
2005 "Send Me an Angel" (Starcity with Real Life) – – – – – – – – – – non-album single
2015 "Way to Nowhere"/"Small World" – – – – – – – – – – non-album single

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Countdown Music Awards

[edit]

Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987 and it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, known as the Countdown Music Awards.[17]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1983 Heartland Best Debut Album Won
"Send Me an Angel" Best Debut Single Nominated
themselves Most Promising New Talent Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bush, John. "Real Life | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Interview with David Sterry". Cryptic Rock. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  3. ^ Wallen, Doug (29 March 2017). "Send Me an Angel: the 80s synth-pop anthem that took over the world". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2018. "We used to open for INXS, Mi-Sex, the Church, Midnight Oil and many others. It was a great apprenticeship."
  4. ^ a b c d e f Australian chart peaks:
  5. ^ a b c d "Real Life". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e German chart peaks:
  7. ^ a b c d "Real Life Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  8. ^ a b c "Real Life in der Schweizer Hitparade". hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Real Life Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Rad (1986) : Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  11. ^ a b "'Click Interview' with Alien Skin: 'With A Change of Attitude Comes The Choice Of 'Sound' Itself'". Side-Line. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  12. ^ "Imperfection - News". Reallife. Archived from the original on 24 February 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  13. ^ "austriancharts.at > Real Life in der Österreichischen Hitparade" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  14. ^ "Item: 4253". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  15. ^ "Billboard > Real Life Chart History > Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  16. ^ "Billboard > Real Life Chart History > Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Countdown to the Awards" (Portable document format (PDF)). Countdown Magazine. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). March 1987. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
[edit]
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