The band formed in 1983, named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. The initial lineup was Graeme Humphreys and Craig Baxter. Humphreys and Baxter had previous played together in the Whangarei band Sister Ray. David Beniston and Peter Keen soon joined, with Keen taking a lead on vocals. Anthony Nevison played on a few songs on the band's first release, The Tired Sun EP, released in 1985 by Flying Nun Records. Organist Leslie Jonkers joined before the band recorded their debut album, with Stuart Greenway replacing Baxter on drums. The album was described by Trouser Press as "one of the finest records ever to emerge from New Zealand", and by Allmusic as "a great album filled with sweet and crafty pop songs". Humphreys, Keen, and Jonkers became the core of the band, and for the second album were joined by former Verlaines and Chills bassist Jane Dodd, synth player Ronald Young, and drummer Craig Mason. This lineup continued for Somebody Ate My Planet and The Shape of Dolls. After a spell with no new releases, the band returned in 1996 with Store in a Cool Place, now without Young, splitting up prior to its release. A 'best of' compilation, Songs from the Departure Lounge, was released in 2000.
Post-split activities
Ten years after the band split up, Humphreys and Keen regrouped to record an album, The Overflow, under the name of Humphreys & Keen, although the album also featured Dodd, Young, Jonkers and Mason. Graeme Humphreys is now better known in New Zealand for his role as a radio talkback host. David Beniston died in Melbourne on 7 May 2011, due to an aneurism.
Musical style
The band's style of music could be considered as somewhat similar to the prevalent Dunedin sound, as recorded by Flying Nun during the 1980s and most effective when keyboards were to the fore, as on their early student radio hit "Snow White Chook". Their music has been described as folk rock, indie pop, chamber pop, and baroque pop. Allmusic writer Jason Ankeny described the band as having "a tongue-in-cheek, '60s-influenced aesthetic" in their early years.
Discography
Featured appearances
The group have appeared on a few CD and DVD compilations since 1991 in New Zealand. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the Able Tasmans.
- In Love With These Times - "What Was That Thing?"
