Luke meets his Hunter

by LES EVERETT

MELBOURNE band Hunters & Collectors set out on their singular musical journey in 1981, the year Luke McPharlin was born.

luke&seymour

Luke McPharlin and Mark Seymour link up for Throw Your Arms Around Me at the Burswood during a big Dockers fundraiser. Photo by Les Everett.

What started out as a kind of art-funk outfit evolved into a big and noisy and exciting band well suited to pubs but unlike any so-called "pub band".

The band recorded its last album Living in Large Rooms in 1995, the year the Fremantle Football Club came into the AFL.

In 1997 Hunters front man Mark Seymour recorded his first solo album King Without a Clue and headed off on a new musical journey while doing a bit of teaching to pay the bills.

In 1999 McPharlin began his venture into football's big time when he was drafted by Hawthorn.

There is, of course, no connection between these happenings but this year there's been some linking up that came together with a snap on Wednesday night.

Earlier this year McPharlin performed Throw Your Arms Around Me, written by Seymour for Hunters & Collectors, on the Footy Show in a rich talent quest. On Wednesday Seymour performed at the Fremantle Football Club's banquet auction and invited McPharlin up onto the stage. The duet worked brilliantly.

Afterwards Seymour said McPharlin had asked for his autograph. "I wished him well in both his careers," the former Hunter said. "He's got some talent."

Meanwhile Hunters & Collectors reformed last week for a one-off performance to mark their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame. While happy in the more sedate world of the solo artist there was a glint in Seymour's eye as he recalled fronting the band again.

And Luke McPharlin took another big step along his musical road on Thursday night when it was announced he'd won his way through to the grand final of the Footy Show Screamers competition. Among the prizes he'll pick up if he wins the grand final is $20,000 for his junior club the Attadale Bombers.

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