In mid-1983 Sydney a band called The Takeaways is formed. Carol Howard (Tracy Mann) is an attractive vocalist and novice guitarist from Melbourne; she had pursued an acting career with little success but is now focussed on her music. Carol wrote her first song on the train to Sydney. Martin Kabel (David Reyne)is an established, albeit unsuccessful, guitarist who wants to branch out from his current band: he would like to sing his own songs. George Poulopoulos (Arky Michael) learns how to play bass at the band’s first practice session. Christine Yates (Sandra Lillingston)breaks into their house and rather than turn her in to the police they offer her a spot in their band. Christine's father, legendary 1960s saxophonist Shrug Yates (Martin Vaughan), taught her to 'feel' music while playing sax.