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Sebastian Chase

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Sebastian Chase
Born
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation(s)Manager, record label owner, record distributor
Years active1972–present
Known forMGM Distribution
SpouseCheryle ? (?–1988, div.)
PartnerKylie Greenlees (?–2015, her death)

Sebastian Chase is an Australian music industry businessman. He is the founding CEO of MGM Distribution from April 1998. Chase began his career as a manager in the early 1970s, working for Band of Light, Buffalo, Rose Tattoo, Dragon and the Reels. By 1984 he had established his own label Chase Records. Four years later he formed rooArt with C.M. Murphy and Justin Van Stom, but left that label for Phantom Records in 1991. He subsequently founded MGM Distribution in 1998 with his domestic partner, Kylie Greenlees. At the 2016 ARIA Music Awards Chase received the ARIA Icon Award for his contributions to the Australian music industry.

Biography

[edit]

Sebastian Chase is the son of Italian immigrants, who changed his name to avoid racism during the 1960s in Sydney.[1] He grew up in the western suburbs and after leaving compulsory schooling, his first job was promoting local dances.[1][2] In 1972, Chase was booking entertainers for Chequers nightclub, Sydney and met Phil Key.[2] New Zealand-born Key was leaving the La De Da's and wanted help to form a new blues rock group, Band of Light, which they assembled by October.[2] He established Chase Management and became their manager.[2] Soon, he was also working for hard rockers, Buffalo,[3] While managing Band of Light he met their bass guitarist, Ian Rilen.[4]

Buffalo and Chase were on tour in Perth in late October 1975 when they discovered New Zealand group, Dragon had been abandoned by their manager Wayne De Gruchy.[5] Dragon's members could not afford return airfares to Sydney.[5] Chase convinced the local promoter to fund Dragon and became their manager.[5] Buffalo's bass guitarist Pete Wells formed Rose Tattoo in 1976, which Chase also managed and introduced Rilen so that Wells could move to slide guitar.[4] Chase and Rilen both left Rose Tattoo by October 1977.[4] Later that year, Chase was nominated as Manager of the Year at the Australian Rock Music Awards.[6] Into the late 1970s he continued with Dragon,[7] and took up with the Reels.[1][8][9] He managed the latter group for three years, including relocating to London with them for an unsuccessful attempt to enter the United Kingdom's charts.[1]

In the mid-1980s, he established Chase Records, which was distributed by CBS Records. The label issued the Delltones' album, Tickled Pink in 1984.[10][11] It reached the top 100 on the Kent Music Report albums chart.[10][11] The lead single, "Papa Oom Mow Mow", appeared on the related singles chart.[10][11] Wells' domestic partner Patricia Anne Clements p.k.a. Lucy De Soto on lead vocals, piano and Hammond organ formed an eponymous band with Wells on slide guitar and his Rose Tattoo bandmate, Geordie Leach (p.k.a. Fast Eddie) on guitar and Ross Mercer on drums. They issued their debut album, Three Girls and a Sailor, via Chase Records in 1985.[12][13] Chase also issued her second album, Help Me Rhonda, My Boyfriend's Back (1986).[12][13][14]

The record label, rooArt was established in 1988 by Chase with C.M. Murphy (INXS' manager, Murphy Media Academy [MMA] CEO) and Justin Van Stom, who had previously worked for MMA.[1][15][16] Initially their artists' releases were distribution by Polygram.[15] For two years he was based in New York, "directing international activities for the dynamic Aus independent and travelling widely to implement those ambitious objectives", before returning to Sydney.[2] Two of the label's early commercial successes were the Hummingbirds' loveBUZZ (1989), which reached the ARIA albums chart top 40,[17] and Ratcat's Blind Love (1991),[1][16] which peaked at number one.[18] Chase left rooArt in the 1990s after an acrimonious falling out with Murphy.[1] Chase joined existing label, Phantom Records with the Hummingbirds following.[19] He became a director alongside his domestic partner, Kylie Greenlees and label-founder, Jules Normington.[20]

Chase and Greenlees established MGM Distribution (Metropolitan Groove Merchants) in April 1998.[21][22] They set it up to handle independent record labels and their artists.[21] One of MGM Distribution's early signings was John Butler Trio, which independently issued their debut album, John Butler (December 1998). In 2002 MGM continued their relationship with John Butler (of John Butler Trio) as a solo artist, who also co-owned Jarrah Records.[23] MGM also signed Jararah labelmates, Joshua Cunningham, Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn (née Simpson) (all three from the Waifs) to MGM by 2004.[24] John Butler Trio's album Sunrise Over Sea (March 2004) became the first wholly independent – label (Jarrah) and distributor (MGM) - Australian album to debut at No. 1 on the ARIA albums chart.[15][25]

By 2005 Chase was appointed to the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) board as MGM had become the "most diverse distributor of Australian music, working with many indie artists including John Butler, The Waifs, and The Beautiful Girls" and Chase "has played an integral role in the evolution of Australian music".[26] Also in 2005 Chase became one of 12 patrons of the Australian Music Prize, providing a cash prize for "the best contemporary music album" of a given year.[27] At the 2016 ARIA Music Awards Chase received the Icon Award for his contributions to the Australian music industry.[28][29][30] By February 2022, Chase had left the ARIA board and was replaced by Chris Maund.[31] After seven years as a board member of charity, Support Act for entertaiment artists, Chase resigned in December of that year.[32]

Personal life

[edit]

Sebastian Chase and his wife Cheryle were expecting their first child in February 1979.[7] Chase was divorced by 1988 and living in Woolloomooloo.[1] Kylie Greenlees became his domestic partner in about 1990.[33] She co-founded MGM Distribution with hime and was its co-CEO.[34] Greenlees died on 11 July 2015, aged 52.[34]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Mathieson, Craig (2000). "The End of the Eighties". The Sell-in: How the Music Business Seduced Alternative Rock. Allen & Unwin. pp. 11–14, 17, 19. ISBN 978-1-86508-412-1.
  2. ^ a b c d e Yorke, Ritchie (16 February 2005). "Sebastian Chase". X-Press Online. Archived from the original on 20 July 2005. Retrieved 16 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ various. "Buffalo/Articles". isd.canberra.edu.au. Archived from the original on 9 June 2000. Retrieved 10 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ a b c Walker, Clinton. "Ian Rilen". clintonwalker.com.au. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Moffatt, Glen (1 September 2014). "Paul Hewson - in the Dragon's Lair - Article". AudioCulture. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Mother Goose at Work". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 14, 952. 8 December 1977. p. 22. Retrieved 10 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ a b "Dragon ; (Doing It) Their Way" (PDF). dragon-the-band.com. 23 February 1979. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ Dale, Jessica (4 May 2020). "The Power 50: Sebastian Chase". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  9. ^ "Dragon being sued". The Canberra Times. Vol. 53, no. 15, 740. 26 October 1978. p. 20. Retrieved 10 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ a b c Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  11. ^ a b c Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 78.
  12. ^ a b McFarlane, 'Peter Wells' entry at the Wayback Machine (archived 15 June 2004). Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  13. ^ a b Australian Rock Database entries:
    • Peter Wells: Holmgren, Magnus; Staarink, Eddy. "Peter Wells". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 3 March 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
    • Rose Tattoo (1976–83): Holmgren, Magnus; McGrath, Mark; Claesson, Per. "Rose Tattoo". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 1 March 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
    • Lucy De Soto Band (1985–86, 1999): Holmgren, Magnus. "Lucy De Soto". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 17 March 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  14. ^ Gray, Col. "From the Archives: Desoto: Take This Veil Album Review (2000)". Australian Rock Review. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ a b c Barber, Lydney (26 August 1988). "How the Minors Created a Major". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ a b McFarlane, 'Independent Record Labels' entry at the Wayback Machine (archived 28 August 2004). Archived from the original on 28 August 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  17. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Discography The Hummingbirds". Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  18. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Discography Ratcat". Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  19. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "The Hummingbirds". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 10 March 2004. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Publishers P–R". immedia.com.au. January 1997. Archived from the original on 19 August 2004. Retrieved 13 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ a b "Sebastian Chase". Song Summit 2010. APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Sebastian Chase". sebastianchase.iansandercoe.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  23. ^ Bell, Steve (7 March 2024). "How John Butler Trio Changed the Aussie Music Landscape with Sunrise Over Sea". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  24. ^ Cashmere, Tim. "The Waifs, Up All Night". undercover.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 September 2004. Retrieved 17 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ Kellaghan, Ronan (15 March 2004). "Week Commencing ~ 15th March 2004 ~ Issue #733" (PDF). The ARIA Report (733). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 2, 5, 9, 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2025. n.b. You Am I's Hourly, Daily (1996) was released by independent label, Ra but distributed by major label Warner.
  26. ^ "Who We Are". Who We Are. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 2005. Archived from the original on 18 July 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ Eliezer, Christie (13 December 2005). "The Australian Music Prize 2005". dB magazine. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ "Winners by Award – Icon Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  29. ^ "Sony Music's Gang of Youths dominate memorable 2017 ARIA Awards ceremony". MediaWeek. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  30. ^ "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  31. ^ "Michelle Tier welcomed as ARIA Board Observership Program participant for 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 17 February 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  32. ^ Brandle, lars (2 December 2022). "Sally Howland, Seb Chase Step Down from Support Act Board". theMusicNetwork.com. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  33. ^ TMN (27 October 2015). "Funeral details announced for Sebastian Chase's partner Kylie Greenlees". theMusicNetwork. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  34. ^ a b Staff writer (17 July 2017). "Memorial Funeral to Be Held for MGM Co-Founder Kylie Greenlees". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2025.


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