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Dean McGregor.
11 Sept 1971 - 22 May 2005
Dean McGregor was the irreverent genius who charmed many - both
socially popular and at one time well known for his on-stage
antics and cheeky lyrics as lead singer of 90's pop band Mobile.
He was indeed the bad boy behind Mobile's "brat-pop" tag.
Upon first meeting guitarist Matt Harris, he wasted no time in hatching plans to form a band. I soon joined on keyboards, then Jason Hawkes on bass, and finally Richard Gohl (followed by Mark Donaghey) on drums, and Mobile was born.
Dean often drew lyrical inspiration from the everyday - from opening the fridge to find it empty (Maybe I Should Eat Something) to his ode to the best spot in Adelaide to pack cones in seclusion (The Coning Step) - so it's not surprising that The Streets was his favourite new artist at the time of his death. However much deeper lyrical meaning can be found with themes ranging from the untimely deaths of friends (Spotfire, Apologetic Goodbye) to a celebration of cultural diversity inspired by Star Trek (Geranium).
Although Dean never fitted comfortably into a particular mould in society, he seemed able to express the darker sides of life through his lyrics with an uncanny honesty and wit. His performance style was often erratic and audiences came along not knowing quite what to expect on the night - in fact, neither did the rest of the band. What was often unpredictable was nonetheless entertaining and Mobile played regularly around Adelaide during the years 1995 - 2000 releasing a 7" vinyl single on Pop Gun "Write Me Off" and the independent album "Soundswords" in 2000 just before their breakup.
Dean never ceased writing and singing, most recently collaborating with songwriter/guitarist Wayne MacKrill and bassist Jason Hawkes on the yet to be released recordings of the "AMA" acoustic pop project.
Dean's words continue live on in his music:
"If I die before I get old
Jesus and you will be smoking my cones
How does it feel, is it better than real?
Hope its better than the best shit we have shared." (Spotfire)
Heidi Hackworth
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Mobile 1999 (left to right): Heidi Hackworth, Mark Donaghey, Dean McGregor, Jason Hawkes, Matt Harris
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