Now is probably a good time to tell you that Skip Tracer has broken up. We won't be playing any more gigs or doing any further recording. We will try to put our recorded output up on this site in the not too distant future but don't hold your breath. The final Skip Tracer show was played at The Laundry in Fitzroy with Deloris midway through last year (2000). We can't even remember the exact date.

Check out our new photo gallery and relive the memories.

A quick history...

Skip Tracer formed in early 1997 and began playing gigs in the middle of that year after recording a demo cassette of 5 songs. The band also recorded a second demo at Ben's home in mid June and was playing gigs in Melbourne at venues like The Arthouse, Nicholsons, The Tote and the now defunct Public Bar. Toward the end of 1999 and in early 2000 you were more likely to catch us at The Empress or the occasional Punters Club gig.

In November 1997, Skip Tracer won the final of The Push / Studio RBX battle of the bands held at PUSHOVER 97. The prize included some recording time and led to several gigs with The Push and allowed us to play at the 1998 Pushover event (the last show our original bass player, Claire, did with us).

In mid 1998 Skip Tracer recorded ten songs at Lavagum Studios in East Hawthorn with good buddy Tim James. The resulting EP was released in August 1998. It is called the 'shoestring EP' and contains six songs.  "Chelsea" and "Shoestring" received great airplay on Triple R, PBS and SRA-FM. The EP has sold out of the limited edition 150 copies which were available on CD at indie stores and gigs. It might still be available via mailorder through warm cola.

In early 1999 Mark Nelson joined on bass but unfortunately does not appear on any of our recordings. He's pictured below on the left at The Public Bar.

Skip Tracer has also been featured on Channel 31's variety show "The Loft" and was the live entertainment at the "RMITV Tenth Birthday Celebrations" which also screened on Channel 31 in Melbourne. We have played about three festivals, perrfomed on a train and even rocked out at Preston Girls school. Missoula Films also produced a film clip for "Shoestring" which Brad has lurking around somewhere.

Skip Tracer played with other ace bands like Screamfeeder, 2 Litre Dolby, Augie March, Art of Fighting, She-Raw, Moondriven, Not From There, Little General, Deer, Gersey, Arrosa, Slow Loris, Motor Ace, Feverdream, Cyan, Melissa's Partisan, Spirit, Deloris, Spacemaker, Deer, Lacto Ovo, Sci-Fi and Gerling.

Check out the first  Warm Cola Fanzine for the track "Crawlspace" which is featured on the compilation tape. A new edition of Warm Cola Fanzine was released in early 1999 and the track "Chelsea" is featured on the tape that comes with that. It might still be in shops.

Ben now plays with Sohlunar and Mark plays with The Bluestripes.

Thanks to everyone who came to our shows or bought our record.