POWDERFINGER burned their name across the Australian music landscape, clocking up 5 number 1 albums, 18 ARIA awards, 3 APRA awards and sales of more than 2.5 million albums.
Their 18 ARIA awards put them behind only SILVERCHAIR, who they toured with for nine weeks on 2007’s Across The Great Divide Tour. The two bands only united onstage at three of the tour’s 34 shows.
Once their line-up had solidified in 1992, they self-released The Blue EP, but someone stole the majority of the small run—today, they bring top dollar on eBay. The band signed to Polydor in 1993 and played the prestigious BIG DAY OUT for the first time in 1994. They finally hit the charts with Pick You Up in 1996 a song that lead singer Bernard Fanning said had a big influence on their direction (which is included on this compilation). Their album stayed in the top ten for ten weeks and they toured with their idols YOU AM I (who Jonder may have turned me onto).
From there, their career was highlight after highlight. They helped CROWDED HOUSE say farewell to the world at The Sydney Opera House playing to more than 100,000 people.
They were asked by filmmaker Gregor Jordan to write a track for his upcoming film, Two Hands, starring Bryan Brown and a young upstart named Heath Ledger. These Days was born (also included here). At this point, Heath Ledger and Powderfinger became household names in Australia.
POWDERFINGER also had a song on the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 Soundtrack, but they never achieved the widespread success in The States that they enjoyed in Australia.
They toured the U.S. with COLDPLAY which exposed more rock fans to their brand of rock & roll—but after an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, 9-11 happened, and cost them their momentum.
The group disbanded in 2010 after 21 years together, chosing their hometown of Brisbane to play their last show. Lead singer BERNARD FANNING records as a solo artist, and guitarist IAN HAUG replaced Marty Willson-Piper in THE CHURCH.
Downloaders are requested to share an Australian band that they LOVE--who were huge at home--but not as big (as they should have been) in the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteI’m looking for conviction about a specific band that really puts the boom in your boomerang, more than a list of Australian bands.
That said, for me, it’s a tie: DIVINYLS & HOODOO GURUS!
In the words of Jerry Lee Lewis, anyone who doesn’t like those bands “Can use my dick for a walking stick.” How’s THAT for conviction?
You Am I will always be my favorite Australian band. Right now I'm into two groups with terrible names but great music: Tropical Fuck Storm and the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.
DeleteSo it WAS you who turned me onto them. I thought so!
DeleteYes, it is I who am a You Am I fan.
DeleteHere's the link!
ReplyDeletePOWDERFINGER'S BEST:
https://pixeldrain.com/u/DAHx8Pds
The Celibate Rifles: for their band name, for the anger/temper in "Darlinghurst Confidential", for the zen in "Oceanshore", for being unforgiveably unknown in my homeland. Very close come Chris Bailey & The Saints: for „All Fool’s Day“, which under certain circumstances would bring me to tears. Best, The Chairman (TC)
ReplyDeleteCelibate Rifles is indeed a great band name. All Fools Day is a lovely album that my wife and I both cherish. Thank you, Chairman!
DeleteYes, thanks, Chairman! I also enjoy The Saints.
DeleteMy favorite Australian musician is Foetus. And The Hard-Ons. I do not know about popularity of things. This summer Amyl and the Sniffers were in Europe, and I have seen gigs on tv. Very funny and energetic band.
ReplyDeleteOne band (not Australian, but New Zealand) that I got to know because someone said they were ridiculous and lousy and not-musical at all Axemen. really enjoy them.
Thanks Stinky for an Aussie band I never heard off.
"This is ridiculous and lousy and not-musical at all." "I'm in!" I like that attitude.
DeleteTim Rogers (from You Am I) has been the lead singer on the last three Hard-Ons albums.
I was introduced to them by a friend from Amsterdam. He insisted that I would like them, & he couldn't have been more right!
DeleteThanks for sharing. Greeting berli. "https://fabomihaly.blogspot.com/"
ReplyDeleteYou're certainly welcome Berli. I checked out your blog & liked it!
DeleteWell, I recently posted a ton of stuff from Icehouse, who I think were majorly underrated. Love them is a big word, but Iva Davies and comrades are pretty great. Not some huge convictions, sorry Stinky, but any band with a song as great as "Great Southern Land" deserves to be on more people's radars.
ReplyDeleteI like ICEHOUSE too, OBG!
DeleteThanks Stinky for introducing this band to me. Some of my favorite Aussie bands/singers: The Church, Divynils, Man At Work, Jimmy Barnes, Hunters & Collecters
ReplyDelete