This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can; the talk page may contain suggestions. (August 2011)

GWAR
GWAR performing live in Edmonton, Canada
Background information
Origin	Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Genres	Thrash metal[1][2] Comedy rock[1] Crossover thrash[1][2][3] Hardcore punk Shock rock
Years active	1984–present
Labels	Shimmy Disc, Metal Blade, DRT Entertainment
Associated acts	Dave Brockie Experience, Death Piggy, X-Cops, White Cross, Rigor Mortis, Burden Brothers
Website	www.gwar.net
Members
Dave Brockie Mike Derks Brad Roberts Jamison Land
Past members
See below

GWAR is a satirical heavy metal/punkrock band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is well known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo themes.

Stage performance[link]

The band's characteristic costumes are generally made of foam latex, styrofoam, and hardened rubber. The costumes cover very little, with the rest of their bodies accentuated with makeup. They further their production in concert by spraying their audiences with mostly "harmless" fluids.

Another trademark of Gwar's live show is their lampooning of celebrities and figures in current events. Targets have included O. J. Simpson, Marilyn Manson, John Kerry, Mike Tyson, every American President since Ronald Reagan, Jerry Garcia, Osama Bin Laden, Michael Jackson, Al Gore, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Paris Hilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Lady Gaga, Jerry Springer, Mr. Lordi, Sarah Palin, Snooki and many others. The band also makes frequent references to political and historical figures, fantasy literature, and mythology. For instance, the song "Whargoul" makes reference to Minas Morgul as well as the eternal warrior of Michael Moorcock. Gwar also has many references to H. P. Lovecraft themes (Antarctica, Yig, Giant Penguins, Fleshy Insanities, etc.). They were nominated for two Grammys, one for Best Metal Performance "S.F.W." and one for Best Long Form Music Video "Phallus in Wonderland". The band also performed fire dancing until the character "Slymenstra Hymen" left the band.

History[link]

Formation and debut (1984 – 1989)[link]

Gwar is the end result of two separate projects merged into one. Dave Brockie was the vocalist for a punk band named Death Piggy that often staged mini-plays and used crude props to punctuate their often ridiculous music. Bands would occasionally practice in a room at the Richmond Dairy, a deserted bottling plant that had been taken over by hippies. The hippies rented out interior areas to various artists and musicians. It was at the Richmond Dairy that Death Piggy met Hunter Jackson (Techno Destructo) and Chuck Varga (Sexecutioner), both attendees of Virginia Commonwealth University who had set up "The Slave Pit", a production space for Scumdogs of the Universe, a movie they intended to make.^[4] Jackson would create props for Death Piggy to use on stage. Brockie had an idea to use the costumes made for "Scumdogs of the Universe" and have Death Piggy open for themselves as a barbaric band from Antarctica, playing nonsense songs while sacrificing fake animals. The name of the joke group was "Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh". Death Piggy began noticing that more people were coming to see Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh and leaving immediately after the set. After a several refinements, including shortening the band's name, Death Piggy was phased out in favor of band now named Gwar.

Abuse of Arnold Schwarzenegger character – live at Reds, Edmonton

The first known line-up for Gwar consisted of Ben Eubanks (vocals), Dave Brockie (guitar), Steve Douglas (guitar), Chris Bopst (bass guitar), Sean Sumner (Drums) and Hunter Jackson. However, this line-up was short-lived and would suffer multiple changes in the following months, with Ben Eubanks quitting after just one or two shows and being replaced by Joe Annaruma, who went on to record several demo tracks with the band. Annaruma soon quit and was replaced by Dave Brockie. The band solidified into a line-up consisting of Hunter Jackson, Don Drakulich, Chuck Varga, Mike Delaney, Mike Bonner, Scott Krahl, Dave Musel and Dave Brockie. Mike Delaney would leave in 1987. Dewey Rowell (Flattus Maximus), Michael Bishop (Beefcake the Mighty) and Rob Mosby (Nippleus Erectus) were recruited in 1987, along with Steve Douglas (Balsac the Jaws of Death) who rejoined the band after having previously left. Danielle Stampe (alias: Slymenstra Hymen) joined sometime in 1988 and toured consistently with the band until 2002. The band has also recruited, and lost, three other female members: The Temptress (Heather Broome, 1986), Amazina, Gwar Woman (Colette Miller, 1986–87) and Gwar Woman (Lisa Harrelson, 1987–88).

The band's debut album, Hell-O, a crossover heavy metal/punk rock album, was released in 1988 under Shimmy Disc Records. The band started touring in support of the album, with Steve Douglas leaving that same year, later to form the alternative band Log, and being replaced by current rhythm guitarist, Michael Derks, who took over Douglas' alias as Balsac the Jaws of Death.

However, the band's line-up would undergo further changes before 1990. In 1988, the Slave Pit saw the joining of Bob Gorman, a young, new artist who would help with the art design and fabrication aspects of the band. One year later, in 1989, Rob Mobsy left the band and was replaced by Pete Luchter, who also quit to be replaced temporarily by Jim Thompson, who had been in the band prior to the release of Hell-O. Thompson later quit and was replaced by Brad Roberts who has since portrayed Jizmak Da Gusha.

[edit] Scumdogs of the Universe and This Toilet Earth (1990 – 1994)

With Gwar's line-up somewhat solidified, the band would set up to record Scumdogs of the Universe. The album met a moderately large mainstream success and would mark the start of a career under the Metal Blade Records record label. The band would tour extensively in support for this album, releasing the Live from Antarctica VHS tape in July 1990, containing, amongst other things, the music video for the song Sick of You. It was shortly after the video's release when the Slave Pit took in another new, young artist, Matt Maguire, to help out with costume fabrication, as well as illustrations for comics and such.

In August 1990, Michael Derks had a daughter leading him to take a short break from the band. Barry D'live Ward from the band Rich Kids on LSD filled in on guitar as Balsac on Gwar's 1991 European tour. Upon returning home, Gwar filmed their first cameo in a mainstream film, Mystery Date.

Scumdogs of the Universe was originally released through the U.K. label Master before being picked up by Metal Blade in 1991. In the group's hunt for a larger label, they auditioned for Relativity Records, one of the larger independent heavy metal labels. The group killed their audition when they showed up in costume and Slymenstra Hymen broke a blood capsule from her codpiece onto one of the office chairs, simulating menstruation.

The band suffered further line-up changes during this period, with Dewey Rowell leaving the band in 1991 and not being replaced until 1992 by Pete Lee, after the recording of America Must Be Destroyed. During this period, Gwar was (temporarily) banned in North Carolina because Brockie was wearing his "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" codpiece, which led to his arrest; this incident was the inspiration for Gwar's third album, America Must Be Destroyed, released in 1992. The album was accompanied by the movie Phallus in Wonderland, which documented the main concept and contained music videos for the album. Phallus in Wonderland was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1993. After recording for This Toilet Earth was completed, bassist Mike Bishop left the band. He was replaced by Casey Orr, from the band Rigor Mortis.

This Toilet Earth was released on 1994, to moderate success. The album received additional attention due to controversy surrounding ""B.D.F.", a song that graphically refers to subjects such as sodomy, necrophilia, pre-natal rape, pedophilia and mutilation. 1994 also saw the music videos for "Saddam a Go-Go" and "The Road Behind" being aired on Beavis and Butt-head. This would also mark the beginning of the band straying from their trademark sound, as the album contained several experimental songs as opposed to the heavy metal heard on the previous two albums.

[edit] Ragnarok, Carnival of Chaos and We Kill Everything (1995 –2000)

Gwar started their Edmonton show with simulated decapitation.

In 1995, Gwar released Ragnarok, an album characterized by a unique sound, including the use of keyboards, something largely unseen before by the band, as well as a much larger use of secondary vocalists. The record is considered to have been largely unnoticed after the success of the last three albums. Despite this, the band would record two videos for the album, "Surf of Syn" and "Meat Sandwich" as well as release Rendezvous with RagNaRok to support the album's plot through footage from the supporting tour.

The band's first side project, X-Cops, would also come to life after the Ragnarok tour, releasing their only full length album, You Have the Right to Remain Silent..., the same year.

The band's next record would come out in 1997 under the name Carnival of Chaos, proving to be the epitome of this experimental period containing songs from many different genres, including the classic Heavy Metal, but also hard rock, country, and even jazz. Shortly after the release of Carnival of Chaos, select members of the Gwar ensemble appeared on The Jerry Springer Show to discuss the growing trend of "shock rock" and their role as entertainers. Aside from their appearance on The Joan Rivers Show, this guest appearance is still recognized as one of their most infamous bits on national TV.

Carnival of Chaos would be the last album with Pete Lee on guitar, being replaced by Tim Harriss who had previously been in the band around 1986 and was featured as a guest guitarist on America Must Be Destroyed. For the recording of We Kill Everything between late 1998 and early 1999, Michael Bishop would temporarily rejoin the band as the bassist during the absence of Casey Orr. The record, largely influenced by punk rock, is the band's least favorite album and thus its songs are rarely played live.

Following this, co-founder Hunter Jackson left the group in 2000 to focus on personal projects. Danielle Stampe left the band to focus on a personal project named Girly Freakshow; however, she rejoined the band temporarily for the Bitch Is Back tour in 2002.

[edit] Violence Has Arrived and Live from Mt. Fuji (2001 – 2005)

Gwar in the middle of live concert in Edmonton

Due to the band's distaste for the previous album, Gwar's sound changed considerably for the next recording. With Tim Harriss gone, Zach Blair was hired to fill his spot as Flattus Maximus, Casey Orr also having returned to the band as Beefcake the Mighty for the recording of the band's first entirely thrash metal album in years: Violence Has Arrived, released on November 6, 2001, the album being seen as a "comeback" of sorts and setting off changes that resulted in the current state of the band. Violence Has Arrived was, however, the band's last album on Metal Blade Records, with the band leaving the label soon after the recording and releasing of it.

In 2002 Zach Blair left Gwar to form the power-pop band Armstrong along with drummer Brad Roberts. The band released one album titled Dick the Lionhearted. Since February 2007, Blair has been the guitarist for Rise Against

As the band focused on a heavier, more brutal sound near the end of this period, it would also result in the creation of another side project, the Dave Brockie Experience, a band created by frontman Dave Brockie along with rhythm guitarist Mike Derks and drummer Brad Roberts as a way of continuing the comedic sound found on albums like We Kill Everything while maintaining a more serious focus in releases by Gwar. They released their first LP on March 20, 2001, Diarrhea of a Madman.

This was not the end of Gwar's new focus on heavy sound, as was proven with the release of Violence Has Arrived by their most successful album in several years, War Party in 2004 on their new record label, DRT Entertainment. The album met with a large underground success, as it followed the same path Violence Has Arrived did, but this time with a more serious and technical edge, partially thanks to the efforts of new lead guitarist Cory Smoot (Flattus Maximus) and bass guitarist Todd Evans (Beefcake the Mighty). Videos were released for "Bring Back the Bomb" and "War Party," and the band was invited to play on the Sounds of the Underground tour in 2005. That same year the band released Live from Mt. Fuji, the band's first live album besides the then extremely rare You're All Worthless and Weak, released in 2000 (and re-released in 2006) on Slave Pit Records.

Twenty-fifth anniversary and death of Cory Smoot (2006 – present)[link]

Disemboweling Paris Hilton character – part of Gwar show in Edmonton, 2004

Gwar began work on their next album, tentatively titled Go to Hell!, in January 2006. That same month, Gwar opened a gallery show called "The Art of Gwar" at Art Space gallery in Richmond to display the many props, costumes, cartoons, paintings produced by The Slave Pit, Gwar's art and effects studio.

On February 23, 2006, Gwar's official website announced Gwar's album, officially titled Beyond Hell, for which, at the urging of DRT Entertainment, a cover version of Alice Cooper's "School's Out" was recorded and released.^[5] The music video, was directed by David Brodsky on July 2, 2006. The part of the "school marm" has been mistakenly identified as Devin Townsend, the producer of the "Beyond Hell" CD. It is actually Scott Krahl, a long-time Gwar "slave" and inventor of Gor-Gor. "School's Out" was nominated for Best Video of 2006 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.

The Blood Bath and Beyond DVD was released on June 20, 2006, containing exclusive behind the scenes and vintage footage of the band.

Gwar performed a special "half-time" show at the Sounds Of The Underground 2006 tour. Gwar went on to headline the following year's Sounds of the Underground Tour in 2007.

Vocalist Oderus Urungus is also featured on the last Strapping Young Lad album The New Black as a guest vocalist on the song "Far Beyond Metal". Oderus' lines in the song are taken directly from the Gwar song "Maggots" ("now in the halls of the Necrolord…" etc.). Scott Krahl is in the "School's Out" video as a female teacher, with whom Oderus makes out before mounting "her" at the end of the video.

Beyond Hell was released on August 29, 2006, with Gwar touring to support the album and being helped by the creation of new props for this tour, including several characters from Beyond Hell's plot, including Jitler and Jewcifer. Gwar was also present at the third annual Rock & Shock festival from October 13 to 15 as a part of this tour.

In Spring 2008 Todd Evans left Gwar to focus efforts on his project Mobile Deathcamp. Shortly after Todd's departure, Casey Orr was confirmed to return as Beefcake the Mighty.

Sleazy P. Martini returned to the stage with Gwar during their Electile Dysfunction '08 tour.^[6]

In 2009, Gwar celebrated their 25th year as a band. Gwar's eleventh studio album, Lust in Space, was released on August 18, 2009,^[7] through Metal Blade Records. They performed at the 2009 Gathering of the Juggalos and toured nationwide with Lamb of God and Job for a Cowboy.

A Christmas vinyl record has been available at recent shows consisting of a new song called "Christmas Stripper Summer Weekend" and a live Hell-O medley. The single is also available through the official Gwar website.

Oderus Urungus hosted the "Crack-a-Thon" in Brooklyn, New York at the MF Gallery in April 2010. A second Crack-A-Thon followed in 2011.

On November 9, 2010, Gwar released their twelfth studio album, Bloody Pit of Horror.^[8]

On November 3, 2011, guitarist Cory Smoot, who had portrayed Flattus Maximus since 2002, was found dead by his fellow band members in the band's tour bus as they prepared to cross the border into Manitoba, Canada from North Dakota. The Cause of death was "a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease.” At the time of the announcement, no formal statement concerning the circumstances of his demise nor of the future of the band had been made.^[9] On November 4, Dave Brockie officially announced that the character of Flattus Maximus would be retired out of respect to Smoot.^[10]

The last single recorded with Smoot was released on December 22, 2011 and is a cover of the Dayglo Abortions song "Isn't This Disgusting". The single was made available on iTunes and is scheduled to appear on the Dayglo Abortions tribute album in 2012.

Etymology[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: GWAR

Despite various explanations that Gwar is an acronym for something, band members have insisted from its inception that the letters do not stand for anything. Indeed, the official website of Slave Pit Inc. indicates that Gwar is a shortened version of "Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh", the name the band used originally when opening up for Death Piggy. Another incorrect view is that the name stands for "God what an awful racket."^[1]

The band's name is not to be confused with other GWAR acronym meanings like Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement, the organization Gay Women Against Rape, Generic Waste Acceptance Requirements or GAWR gross axle weight rating.

Members[link]

• Dave Brockie (Oderus Urungus) (lead vocals)
• Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of Death) (guitar, background vocals)
• Jamison Land (Beefcake the Mighty) (bass, background vocals)
• Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha) (drums, percussion)

Timeline[link]

<timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:225 bottom:100 top:0 right:25 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:1984 till:31/12/2011 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1984 Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3

Colors =

 id:Vocals            value:red          legend:Vocals
 id:Guitar            value:orange       legend:Guitar
 id:LeadGuitar        value:green        legend:LeadGuitar
 id:Bass              value:blue         legend:Bass
 id:Drums             value:purple       legend:Drums
 id:Lines             value:black        legend:Studio Releases
 id:Lines2            value:gray(0.75)   legend:Others

LineData =

 at:01/01/1986 color:Lines2 layer:Back
 at:11/09/1988 color:Black layer:Back
 at:08/01/1990 color:Black layer:Back
 at:31/03/1992 color:Black layer:Back
 at:06/10/1992 color:Lines2 layer:Back
 at:20/12/1994 color:Black layer:Back
 at:24/10/1995 color:Black layer:Back
 at:25/03/1997 color:Black layer:Back
 at:06/04/1999 color:Black layer:Back
 at:31/10/2000 color:Lines2 layer:Back
 at:06/11/2001 color:Black layer:Back
 at:26/10/2004 color:Black layer:Back
 at:31/05/2005 color:Lines2 layer:Back
 at:29/08/2006 color:Black layer:Back
 at:18/08/2009 color:Black layer:Back
 at:09/11/2010 color:Black layer:Back

BarData =

 bar:Ben    text:"Johnny Slutman (Ben Eubanks)"
 bar:Joe    text:"Joey Slutman (Joe Annaruma)"
 bar:Dave   text:"Oderus Urungus (Dave Brockie)"
 bar:Steve  text:"Jaws Of Death (Steve Douglas)"
 bar:Russ   text:"Mr. Magico (Russ Bahorsky)"
 bar:Ron    text:"Stephen Sphincter (Ron Curry)"
 bar:Greg   text:"Cornelius Carnage (Greg Ottinger)"
 bar:Ste2   text:"Balsac The Jaws Of Death (Steve Douglas)"
 bar:Mike   text:"Balsac The Jaws Of Death (Mike Derks)"
 bar:Tim    text:"Flattus Maximus (Tim Harris)"
 bar:Dewey  text:"Flattus Maximus (Dewey Rowell)"
 bar:Pete   text:"Flattus Maximus (Pete Lee)"
 bar:Zach   text:"Flattus Maximus (Zach Blair)"
 bar:Cory   text:"Flattus Maximus (Cory Smoot)"
 bar:Chris  text:"Balsac (Chris Bopst)"
 bar:Bishop text:"Beefcake The Mighty (Michael Bishop)"
 bar:Casey  text:"Beefcake The Mighty (Casey Orr)"
 bar:Todd   text:"Beefcake The Mighty (Todd Evans)"
 bar:Land   text:"Beefcake The Mighty (Jamison Land)"
 bar:Sean   text:"Sean Summer"
 bar:Jim1   text:"Hans Sphincter (Jim Thomson)"
 bar:Jim2   text:"Hans Orifice (Jim Thomson)"
 bar:Rob    text:"Nipples Erectus (Rob Mosby)"
 bar:Lee    text:"Lee Beato (Pete Luchter)"
 bar:Brad   text:"Jizmak Da Gusha (Brad Roberts)"

PlotData =

 width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(5,-4)
 bar:Ben    from:01/01/1984 till:31/12/1984 color:Vocals
 bar:Joe    from:01/01/1985 till:30/05/1986 color:Vocals
 bar:Dave   from:01/01/1984 till:30/05/1986 color:Guitar
 bar:Dave   from:01/06/1986 till:end color:Vocals  

 bar:Steve  from:01/01/1984 till:30/06/1984 color:Guitar
 bar:Russ   from:01/06/1984 till:31/12/1984 color:Guitar
 bar:Ron    from:01/01/1985 till:30/05/1986 color:Guitar
 bar:Greg   from:01/06/1986 till:30/05/1987 color:Guitar
 bar:Ste2   from:01/06/1987 till:31/10/1988 color:Guitar
 bar:Mike   from:01/11/1988 till:end color:Guitar

 bar:Tim    from:01/01/1986 till:31/12/1986 color:LeadGuitar
 bar:Dewey  from:01/01/1987 till:30/05/1991 color:LeadGuitar
 bar:Pete   from:01/06/1991 till:30/05/1997 color:LeadGuitar
 bar:Tim    from:01/06/1997 till:30/05/1999 color:LeadGuitar
 bar:Zach   from:01/06/1999 till:30/05/2002 color:LeadGuitar
 bar:Cory   from:01/06/2002 till:03/11/2011 color:LeadGuitar

 bar:Chris  from:01/01/1984 till:30/05/1987 color:Bass
 bar:Bishop from:01/06/1987 till:31/12/1994 color:Bass
 bar:Casey  from:01/01/1995 till:31/12/1997 color:Bass
 bar:Bishop from:01/01/1998 till:30/05/1999 color:Bass
 bar:Casey  from:01/06/1999 till:30/05/2002 color:Bass
 bar:Todd   from:01/06/2002 till:30/05/2008 color:Bass
 bar:Casey  from:01/06/2008 till:30/05/2011 color:Bass
 bar:Land   from:01/06/2011 till:end color:Bass

 bar:Sean   from:01/01/1984 till:31/12/1984 color:Drums
 bar:Jim1   from:01/01/1985 till:30/05/1986 color:Drums
 bar:Jim2   from:01/06/1986 till:30/05/1987 color:Drums
 bar:Rob    from:01/06/1987 till:31/12/1988 color:Drums
 bar:Lee    from:01/01/1989 till:30/05/1989 color:Drums
 bar:Jim2   from:01/06/1989 till:31/12/1989 color:Drums
 bar:Brad   from:01/01/1990 till:end color:Drums

</timeline>

Discography[link]

• Hell-O (1988)
• Scumdogs of the Universe (1990)
• America Must Be Destroyed (1992)
• This Toilet Earth (1994)
• Ragnarok (1995)
• Carnival of Chaos (1997)
• We Kill Everything (1999)
• Violence Has Arrived (2001)
• War Party (2004)
• Beyond Hell (2006)
• Lust in Space (2009)
• Bloody Pit of Horror (2010)

Videography[link]

• Shimmy Disc Video Compilation V.1 (1988)
• Rawgwar (1989)
• The Next Mutation (1989)
• Live from Antarctica (1990)
• Phallus in Wonderland (1992)
• All the Sex (1992)
• Twice the Violence (1992)
• Tour De Scum (1992)
• TVD (1994)
• Skulhedface (1994)
• Return of Techno-Destructo (1996)
• Rendezvous with Ragnarok (1997)
• Surprising Burst of Chocolaty Fudge (1998)
• Dawn of the Day of the Night of the Penguins (1998)
• It's Sleazy (2000)
• The Gwarnage Campaign (2002)
• Blood Drive 2002 (2002)
• Ultimate Video Gwarchive (2002)
• War Party Tour 2004 (2004)
• Blood Bath and Beyond (2006)
• Beyond Hell Live (2007)
• Lust in Space: Live at the National (2010)

Viva La Bam

Grammy Awards and nominations[link]

Gwar has been nominated for two Grammy Awards, but lost to Annie Lennox and Nine Inch Nails.

• "S.F.W." – Best Metal Performance, 1996 (nomination). Lost to Nine Inch Nails.
• "Phallus in Wonderland" – Best Long Form Music Video 1993 (nomination). Lost to Annie Lennox.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Gwar

• Official website
• Interview with Oderus Urungus
• Official Japanese Site
• Gwar interview by Florida Entertainment Scene
• Interview @ SHOUT! Music Webzine
• Gwar concert photograph at SPIN
• Gwar at Wacken 2009 stage
• Behind the Mask: An interview with Dave Brockie of Gwar at Swigged!
• Interview with Oderus at ion magazine
• Interview with Oderus at Exclaim!
• Gwar members Oderus Urungus and Balsac the Jaws of Death along with SYMPTOM (video slave) and Necrotika host the 1st annual CRACKATHON (2010) from Brooklyn NY's world famous MF GALLERY
• Gwar's official online video / Television channel
• COMING SOON! Official website of the NEW Annual Gwar BQ Bash

The Holidays
The Holidays
Background information
Origin	Sydney, Australia
Genres	Indie rock, Pop rock, Soul
Years active	2006 - present
Labels	Liberation (Australia), Rallye Label (Japan)
Website	Official Website Myspace
Members
Simon Jones Will Magnus Alex Kortt Andrew Kerridge

The Holidays are an Australian indie pop/soul band. Formed in Sydney in 2006, the band consists of Simon Jones, Will Magnus, Alex Kortt and Andrew Kerridge. The band is most notably known for their Australian Music Prize nominated debut album Post Paradise.

Biography[link]

The Holidays formed in late 2006 and quickly established themselves in the Sydney music scene as an upbeat, energetic addition. Simon Jones & Will Magnus had attended high school together, previously playing in cover bands in their schools' band competition. They were often up against the band Roger Explosion in these competitions, who went on to become the Australian electro-pop band Art vs. Science.

Within their first year as a band together, The Holidays toured with Jamie T,^[1] with The View,^[2] with Ben Kweller,^[3] and recorded an EP of demos which quickly sold out at gigs and received regular airplay on radio stations both in Australia^[4] and in the USA. In November 2007 The Holidays were featured on the Next Crop segment of national youth radio station Triple J,^[5] soon followed by their signing with independent Australian record label Liberation Music, in early 2008.

The Holidays released their debut EP on 19 April 2008 to positive reviews^[6] which was followed by a substantial national tour to promote the release. They released their second EP "When The Ship Goes Down" in October 2008, which showed the band's natural progression with song-writing. Recorded with Wayne Connolly of The Vines and Josh Pyke fame, this EP was followed by a 20 date national tour, co-headlining with Brisbane band Yves Klein Blue.

The Holidays' debut album Post Paradise soon followed, after several months of writing and experimenting. Drawn away from the simplicity of their earlier indie guitar manifestation, Post Paradise showed the bands development with both the groove and layers of a song, combined with their recognizable pop hooks. This album differed from previous recordings by The Holidays' in that it was self-produced and recorded in various locations around Sydney and New South Wales.

"Moonlight Hours", the first single from their debut album was taken to radio in November 2009, and added to high rotation on national youth radio station Triple J. "Golden Sky" was the second single from The Holidays debut album, released in May 2010, which was followed by an east coast tour of Australia to promote the release. There is a music video for both these singles, made by Melbourne company Moop Jaw.

"Post Paradise" was released in Australia on 24 September 2010, in conjunction with third single, Broken Bones, which was added to radio nationally. The album has received very positive reviews since its release, which included amongst other reviews, being shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize and winning the Red Bull Award for Best Debut Album. Post Paradise also received "Album of the Week" in Drum Media, Beat Magazine, BMA Mag & The Brag,^[7] 4.5 stars in The Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph & The Courier Mail, as well as positive reviews in The Age & The Sydney Morning Herald. Post Paradise won The Age Readers Choice Best Album of 2010,^[8] and was the Triple J Feature Album for the week commencing 26 December 2010.

The Holidays toured Post Paradise substantially in 2010 and 2011, including shows at SXSW in Austin, Texas, The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, UK, and Australian festivals including Groovin' the Moo, Laneway Festival and Splendour in the Grass. The Holidays' current live show incorporates a fifth touring member, David Zucker as percussionist, as well occasional backing vocalists.

Members[link]

• Simon Jones - Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Production
• Will Magnus - Lead Guitar, Keys
• Alex Kortt - Bass Guitar
• Andrew Kerridge - Drums, Percussion, Supreme Aficionado

Touring[link]

• Toured with Jamie T in May 2007
• Toured with The View in June 2007
• Toured with Ben Kweller in October 2007
• Played nationally at the 2008 St Jerome's Laneway Festival
• Toured with The Wombats in March 2008
• Toured with Lightspeed Champion in July 2008
• Played at Homebake 2008
• Played at Falls Festival 2008
• Toured with Bluejuice in April 2010
• Played at St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2011 across Australia
• Played at SXSW in Austin, Texas in March 2011
• Played at the Groovin' the Moo Festival across Australia in May 2011
• Toured with Cut Copy in Australia in May 2011
• Played at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, and Dot to Dot Festival across the UK in May 2011
• Played at Splendour In The Grass in August 2011.
• Played at the inaugural Harvest Festival in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane in November 2011 along with The Flaming Lips, Portishead and Tv on the Radio.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Post Paradise (Australia - 24 September 2010, Japan - January 2011)

EPs[link]

• The Holidays (19 April 2008)
• When The Ship Goes Down (11 October 2008)
• Golden Sky (Australia - May 2010, UK - August 2010 )

Singles[link]

• Moonlight Hours (December 2009)
• Golden Sky (May 2010)
• Broken Bones (September 2010)
• 2 Days (February 2011)

Awards & Nominations[link]

• 2010 The Age EG Award - Readers Choice Best Album of 2010 - Won
• 2010 Australian Music Prize - Nominated
• 2010 Australian Music Prize - Red Bull Award for Best Debut Album - Won
• 2011 Jägermeister Independent Music Awards - Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year - Nominated

Further information[link]

• The Holidays song 'Telephone' was featured on an Australian television advertising campaign for Clearasil in late 2007.
• The Holidays song 'Golden Sky' was used in the Channel 7 summer 2010/2011 advertising campaign.
• Simon Jones collaborated & sung vocals with Australian dance duo Bag Raiders on the track 'Not Over' from their eponymous debut album.

References[link]