as the opening act at the first Big Day Out, the band was signed to Martin Fabinyi's Regular Records in 1992. They released the E.P. Spare and recording their debut album, Gram, at Paradise Studios in Darlinghurst, Sydney, with US production team Sean Slade and Paul Q. Kolderie (Dinosaur Jr., Hole, Radiohead, Warren Zevon, Sebadoh). National tours with Hunters and Collectors and Buffalo Tom followed in late 1992. During that year the band also appeared at Brisbane's Livid Festival. In January 1993 the band once again opened the Big Day Out festival in Sydney. Although most of their previous singles and E.P.s had topped the ARIA Australian alternative charts, Gram and its singles "Hell Hoping" and "Play Me" failed to achieve mainstream commercial success. The band left Regular Records in 1994, releasing a single, "All or Nothing More," and the self-funded Headset E.P. on Melbourne independent label Summershine. Signing to id/Mercury in 1996, they released a second album, Lap of Honour, produced by Brad Shepherd of the Hoodoo Gurus. Drummer Peter Bennett left the group before the "Lap of Honour" release, and Autohaze drummer Andrew Nunns filled in for some shows. After Lap of Honour and its singles "Hey! Illusion" and "Can't Wait to Remind You" failed to chart significantly, and following many months of record company difficulties and band in-fighting, The Welcome Mat played their final show at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney in 1997. Connolly has since played with Knievel, Mullens with 2 Litre Dolby and The Small Knives, and Messenger with Auto Circus Cop. Discography Albums Extended plays Singles Notes References McFarlane, Ian (2000). The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. Smith, Craig Smith (2008). The Welcome Mat – Gram. http://www.webcutsmusic.com/features/secret-history-aus-music/2008/the-welcome-mat-gram/ Spencer, Chris (1996). Who's Who of Australian Rock . Five Mile Press. External links Australian Music Online entry Stu Kahn’s Wellies site Australian musicians