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Savage Garden are Darren Hayes (lead and background vocals) and Daniel Jones (keyboards, sequencing, additional guitars). The lads first met in January 1993 via an advertisement that Daniel placed in 'Time Off' magazine (a local Brisbane music newspaper). He was looking for a singer for his covers band Red Edge. The advertisement read:
'SERIOUS LEAD VOCALIST WANTED FOR COMMERCIAL MUSICAL OUTFIT PRESENTLY FINANCED BY MAJOR PUBLISHING COMPANY'
Darren telephoned Daniel and they clicked right away. They had found their musical soul mates. The covers band lasted for around 18 months, but when Darren found singing other band's songs unfulfilling, the pair set about writing for themselves.
Though they had little experience in song writing, they managed to construct some tunes loosely based around the style of their 80's heroes. 'We had high aspirations from the start' confesses Daniel. 'We talked about a record deal as if we already had one. We never thought, if this happens. Right from the beginning, it was always, when it does'.
They spent almost 12 months in a home studio writing and recording. The unknowns sent out over 150 unsolicited demos, under the name Bliss, to record companies and publishers. There was limited interest in the five track demo, and there were outright rejections. It wasn't until the tape hit the desk of veteran artist manager, John Woodruff (Baby Animals, Diesel, The Angels and Icehouse) that their global potential was spotted. He immediately flew to Brisbane to meet the pair. Despite sheltered, suburban surroundings, Woodruff was impressed with the songs and with the duo's attitude. All the frustration and the waiting had paid off. They were offered a management deal and a record contract from Roadshow/Warner Music.
Mid 1995 - Recording debut album
Woodruff set Darren and Daniel up in Sydney with noted producer Charles Fisher. The album took almost 8 months to record. Although they suffered setbacks, the self titled album was finally completed.
1996 Success
The first single 'I Want You' was released on July 1st 1996 and quickly went platinum (selling in excess of 70 000 copies). Peaking at number 4 on the ARIA charts, it was the most added track to radio and the biggest selling Australian single for 1996! It was also ranked No. 12 in the top 100 selling singles. The next single 'To The Moon & Back' went all the way to Number One, as did 'Truly Madly Deeply'.
March 1997 - Debut Album release
DANIEL: 'With the first record we had no idea where we were going. We just threw all the enthusiasm we had into it, like into a washing machine. That's why the album is so colourful and goes in so many directions' DARREN: 'Really, a successful album, or a good album is about being true to yourself'