He studied classics and ancient history at the University of Western Australia (BA 1983), during which time he was a member of the rock band The Triffids, then returning to Melbourne to study theology at Trinity College (BD (Hons) 1986).
Bad Timing and Other Stories is the second official recording by The Triffids, released as a 7" EP in April, 1983.
They were among the few Australian bands to record Peel Sessions – others were The Birthday Party, The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and Laughing Clowns.
They were contemporaries of celebrated Perth bands, The Stems, The Triffids & The Bamboos and were a popular local band of that time.
In Australia, other influential acts to emerge included: Primitive Calculators, Tactics, The Triffids, Laughing Clowns, The Moodists, Severed Heads, Whirlywirld, Great White Noise, Kill the King and Crime & the City Solution.
The B-side "Baby Can I Walk You Home" and "Region Unknown" were produced by Victor Van Vugt and the Triffids.
This tape was only sold at the Triffids’ performances in the eastern states of Australia in 1983.
The performances were recorded in a couple of takes live to stereo at the Sydney Opera House shortly before the Triffids relocated to London.
This tape was only sold at the Triffids’ performances in early 1988.
Triffid, a fictional dangerous mobile plant in the 1951 novel The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham