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Previously called 'The State", popular Australian pop/rock band, Southern Sons emerged after Phil Buckle's collaboration with John Farnham on his "Chain Reaction" album. Seeking a new vocalist for his songs, Phil recruited Irwin Thomas (then known as "Jack Jones." From 1990 to 1995 Southern Sons released three albums on RCA Records.

Original lineup (1990 - 1992)

Phil Buckle (guitar, backing vocals)

Jack Jones (guitar, lead vocals)

Virgil Donati (drums)

Geoff Cain (guitar)

Peter Bowman (guitar)

1992 - 1995

Phil Buckle (guitar, backing vocals)

Jack Jones (guitar, lead vocals)

Virgil Donati (drums)

Geoff Cain (guitar)

Buckle and Jones are also notable for backing John Farnham on his Chain Reaction tour. Jones reunited with John Farnham in 1999 for his "I Can't Believe He's 50 Tour" and the "Tour Of Duty Concert" for peacekeeping Australian troops in Dili, East Timor.

Buckle has collaborated with several Australian artists such as John Farnham, Rick Price and Rob Mills. Buckle's co-wrote many of the songs from Farnham's "Chain Reaction" (released 1990) and "Then Again" (released 1993) albums, the most famous being "Burn For You", ARIA Song of the Year in 1991.

Jones was married to New Zealand-born Australian actress Rebecca Gibney from 1992 - 1995. The marriage ended in divorce. He reverted to his birth name of Irwin Thomas some years ago, and has recorded under that name with a new band. He also was in a band with INXS member Gary Beers called Mudhead who released one album. Since 2004 he has been also been involved with a Melbourne band called Electric Mary and is releasing new music independently.

Jones and Donati were part of Tina Arena's backing band for her "In Deep" tour.

Donati is currently living and working in the United States, running clinics and recording with a variety of artists. He is currently a member of US rock band Soul Sirkus.

Cain reportedly spent several years living in Spain but has since returned to Australia.

Bowman left the band sometime before the release of their second album Nothing But The Truth as he chose to follow his passion and grow as a songwriter and record producer in the independent music sector, working with Debra Byrne on her "Sleeping Child" album. He continues to work with bands and solo artists at his recording studio in Warrandyte (as well as working on his own material).

Singles

• 1990 Heart In Danger (AUS #5)
• 1990 Always And Ever (AUS #16)
• 1991 Hold Me In Your Arms (AUS #9)
• 1991 Waiting For That Train (E.P.) (AUS #40)
• 1992 Lead Me To Water (AUS #36)
• 1993 You Were There (AUS #6)
• 1995 Don't Tell Me (What's Right) - with Colin Fanny

Albums

• 1990 Southern Sons
• 1992 Nothing But The Truth
• 1994 Nothing But The Truth (re-issued with track Silent Witness)
• 1995 Zone

• Single Get Up And Get Out Of Your Mind (2002)
• Album The Evolution Of Irwin Thomas (2002)

(Released in Australia through John Farnham's Gotham Records label)

• Single Let's Go (2006)
• Single Get Your Radio On (2006)
• Single I Can't Wait [2006)
• Single Into Trouble (2006)
• Single Peace Now (2006)

(Released Independently through myspace.com and Independent Artists Company)