Rockmelons Discuss How Deni Hines Relationship Soured

Rockmelons multi-instrumentalist Bryon Jones and keyboardist Raymond Medhurst joined Chart Beats founder Gavin Scott for a career-spanning interview on the podcast A Journey Through Aussie Pop, revealing why the relationship with former vocalist Deni Hines soured over time.

Hines joined the Aussie pop band in 1991. With Hines in the group, the band achieved two certified Gold singles, a cover of Bill Withers’ classic Ain’t No Sunshine in January 1992, which hit #5 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and That Word (L.O.V.E.), which peaked at #4 in Australia.

Hines didn’t last too long in the band, leaving the Rockmelons to pursue success as a solo artist. In 2002, when Rockmelons released their comeback album following a hiatus, Rockies 3, the band recruited eight different vocalists to contribute to the record. Hines wasn’t involved.

“It was a combination that worked,” Jones said about the collaboration between the Rockmelons and Deni Hines, calling the combination “productive”.

Adding that the Rockies always had a knack for choosing the right singers, he continued to say that despite making great music with Hines, she was a “hothead”.

Medhurst said that when everyone was celebrating the Rockmelons having a hit record in the early 90s, Hines apparently wasn’t.

“When we first started working with her, she was very meek and mild,” Medhurst said. But, the more successful the band became, he claimed that she became more “difficult” to work with.

“By the time we finished that track [It’s Not Over], it was just clear that we weren’t going to be able to get any more material with Deni,” Medhurst said. Jones said that he thinks collaborations with some artists, like Hines, “have a really small window in a moment in time.”

“It’s a real shame we weren’t able to promote that record with her overseas,” Jones continued, “She pulled out before we could take it to England, and that would have been a dream. It would have been great.” Jones thought she wanted to do other things and possibly “had other people in her ear,” and that’s how it went, “but that’s showbiz.”

When Scott pressed on the working relationship, Jones said, “She would openly tell you that the song was shit” with a laugh. You can listen to the rest of the podcast episode below.