Peabody (band)
Encyclopedia
Peabody are an Australia
n four-piece rock band
. Forming in Sydney in the mid-90s, the then three-piece Peabody ingrained themselves in the live music scene of Inner-city Sydney. Following other Sydney bands of the time, such as You Am I, the group played venues like The Landsdowne Hotel and The Iron Duke before graduating to more well known venues such as The Annandale Hotel, The Hopetoun Hotel and The Sandringham Hotel.
The band recorded and self-released two early EPs but were best known for their live performances which led to the band developing a dedicated Sydney following. It was at this time that they began their association with Sydney-based independent record label Nonzero Records
distributed through Shock Records. The label was founded in 2001 in order to release Bluebottle Kiss' 2002 album, "Revenge Is Slow", but had since expanded to release other local bands.
At Nonzero Records, Peabody found a label to release their records and a producer in new label-mate and Bluebottle Kiss
leader, Jamie Hutchings
. Despite having little experience producing other bands, Hutchings had demonstrated considerable skill for committing his own band's fearsome energy and polar dynamics to tape. ("It's wonderful to see that the dynamics and atmospheres this band can invoke in a live situation can translate so utterly successfully to a recorded medium", wrote critic Craig New of Bluebottle Kiss in 2002). That being the skill Peabody required from a producer, the relationship proved successful for both parties.
The resulting effort was 2003's "Professional Againster" (the name taken from the title of a New Bomb Turks
song), a raw, solid and succinct example of what Peabody were best known for - energetic rock that sounded like the wheels were about to fall off, but never quite did.
Standout track "Stupid Boy" is the best example of this, and perhaps in acknowledgement, the EP release of the track included a version of classic Australia garage rock song, "My Pal", by early Joel Silbersher
band, God
.
Once again teaming up with producer Jamie Hutchings and engineer Dave Trump (The Church
, Big Heavy Stuff
) Peabody recorded their second LP, "The New Violence". The 2005 release proved to be a more slanted and diverse offering, showcasing the musical literacy of principal songwriter, Ben Chamie. "The New Violence shows a darker side to the group, with songs that are still well crafted yet less immediate", wrote critic Mark Nielsen.
The commercial single, "Got You On My Radar" featuring guest vocals from Sarah Blasko, reached #13 on the AIR charts
.
Mid way through 2006 drummer Graeme Trewin announced his departure from the band and later that year Jared Harrison - who also played with Bluebottle Kiss
- was named as his replacement. Early in 2007 Tristan Courtney-Prior joined the band as a second guitarist.
In June 2007, Peabody's third album, Prospero, was recorded, again produced by Jamie Hutchings. The first single The Devil For Sympathy was released in September and the album was released in October 2008.
In May 2010, Peabody's self-produced fourth album, Loose Manifesto, was recorded by Tim Kevin and released on the band's own label Peabrain Recordings through MGM Distribution in October 2010.
Peabody have toured with bands such as the Hoodoo Gurus
, Spiderbait
and Dallas Crane
and performed at the Big Day Out
, Homebake
and Livid festivals.
This band from Australia is not to be confused with the three-piece rock band of the same name, formed in 1998 in Indiana, Pennsylvania or the alternative rock band from New Orleans formed in 1991.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n four-piece rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
. Forming in Sydney in the mid-90s, the then three-piece Peabody ingrained themselves in the live music scene of Inner-city Sydney. Following other Sydney bands of the time, such as You Am I, the group played venues like The Landsdowne Hotel and The Iron Duke before graduating to more well known venues such as The Annandale Hotel, The Hopetoun Hotel and The Sandringham Hotel.
The band recorded and self-released two early EPs but were best known for their live performances which led to the band developing a dedicated Sydney following. It was at this time that they began their association with Sydney-based independent record label Nonzero Records
Nonzero Records
Nonzero Records is an independent record label based in Sydney, Australia, dedicated to supporting the Sydney independent music scene and select overseas artists...
distributed through Shock Records. The label was founded in 2001 in order to release Bluebottle Kiss' 2002 album, "Revenge Is Slow", but had since expanded to release other local bands.
At Nonzero Records, Peabody found a label to release their records and a producer in new label-mate and Bluebottle Kiss
Bluebottle Kiss
-History:Formed in the mid '90s, Bluebottle Kiss took their influences from the late '80s American indie scene, which included artists such as Sonic Youth and the Afghan Whigs, singer-songwriters of the '70s, such as Neil Young and Van Morrison, as well as the very creative Australian independent...
leader, Jamie Hutchings
Jamie Hutchings
Jamie Buchanon Hutchings is the lead singer-songwriter and guitarist for Australian band Bluebottle Kiss, who have released six albums, plus numerous EPs and singles. Huchings has released three solo albums, The Golden Coach, His Imaginary Choir and Avalon Cassettes...
. Despite having little experience producing other bands, Hutchings had demonstrated considerable skill for committing his own band's fearsome energy and polar dynamics to tape. ("It's wonderful to see that the dynamics and atmospheres this band can invoke in a live situation can translate so utterly successfully to a recorded medium", wrote critic Craig New of Bluebottle Kiss in 2002). That being the skill Peabody required from a producer, the relationship proved successful for both parties.
The resulting effort was 2003's "Professional Againster" (the name taken from the title of a New Bomb Turks
New Bomb Turks
The New Bomb Turks are an American punk rock band formed at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1990. The founding members are Jim Weber, Eric Davidson, Bill Randt, and Matt Reber. Sam Brown replaced Bill Randt on drums in 1999. Early on their inspiration came from the Devil Dogs, Lazy...
song), a raw, solid and succinct example of what Peabody were best known for - energetic rock that sounded like the wheels were about to fall off, but never quite did.
Standout track "Stupid Boy" is the best example of this, and perhaps in acknowledgement, the EP release of the track included a version of classic Australia garage rock song, "My Pal", by early Joel Silbersher
Joel Silbersher
Joel Silbersher is a musician from Melbourne, Australia, who was the singer and guitar player for rock and roll band, GOD . GOD had a minor but enduring hit with "My Pal," a song written by Silbersher. Since its release in 1988, "My Pal" has been covered by bands such as Magic Dirt, Violent Soho,...
band, God
GOD (band)
God was a rock 'n' roll band from Melbourne, Australia, together from 1986 to 1989 and comprising Joel Silbersher, Tim Hemensley, Sean Greenway and Matthew Whittle. All members were 15-16 at the time of the band's formation...
.
Once again teaming up with producer Jamie Hutchings and engineer Dave Trump (The Church
The Church (band)
The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay...
, Big Heavy Stuff
Big Heavy Stuff
- Overview :Big Heavy Stuff is a four-piece band, featuring Greg Atkinson , Carolyn Polley , Eliot Fish and Nick Kennedy . The band was established in 1990 and is with the recording label Redline Records...
) Peabody recorded their second LP, "The New Violence". The 2005 release proved to be a more slanted and diverse offering, showcasing the musical literacy of principal songwriter, Ben Chamie. "The New Violence shows a darker side to the group, with songs that are still well crafted yet less immediate", wrote critic Mark Nielsen.
The commercial single, "Got You On My Radar" featuring guest vocals from Sarah Blasko, reached #13 on the AIR charts
AIR Charts
The AIR Charts are the official sales charts for Australian independent music released by Australian owned, independent record labels. Presented by AIR, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association, the charts are calculated according to official sales figures provided by the ARIA Charts,...
.
Mid way through 2006 drummer Graeme Trewin announced his departure from the band and later that year Jared Harrison - who also played with Bluebottle Kiss
Bluebottle Kiss
-History:Formed in the mid '90s, Bluebottle Kiss took their influences from the late '80s American indie scene, which included artists such as Sonic Youth and the Afghan Whigs, singer-songwriters of the '70s, such as Neil Young and Van Morrison, as well as the very creative Australian independent...
- was named as his replacement. Early in 2007 Tristan Courtney-Prior joined the band as a second guitarist.
In June 2007, Peabody's third album, Prospero, was recorded, again produced by Jamie Hutchings. The first single The Devil For Sympathy was released in September and the album was released in October 2008.
In May 2010, Peabody's self-produced fourth album, Loose Manifesto, was recorded by Tim Kevin and released on the band's own label Peabrain Recordings through MGM Distribution in October 2010.
Peabody have toured with bands such as the Hoodoo Gurus
Hoodoo Gurus
Hoodoo Gurus are an Australian rock band, formed in Sydney in 1981, by the mainstay Dave Faulkner and later joined by Richard Grossman , Mark Kingsmill , and Brad Shepherd...
, Spiderbait
Spiderbait
Spiderbait are an Australian alternative rock band formed in Finley in 1989 by bass guitarist Janet English, singer-drummer Mark Maher , and guitarist Damian Whitty. In 2004 the group's cover version of the 1930s Lead Belly song "Black Betty" reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart...
and Dallas Crane
Dallas Crane
Dallas Crane is an Australian alternative rock band from Melbourne, Australia.Dallas Crane was named after the father of a mate of the band.In January 2004, the band signed a recording and publishing deal with Albert Productions, the home of AC/DC. The band recorded an album with Wayne Connolly,...
and performed at the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
, Homebake
Homebake
Homebake is an annual Australian rock festival, featuring an all-Australian lineup . The festival was first held on 4 January 1996 at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, on the far north coast of New South Wales...
and Livid festivals.
This band from Australia is not to be confused with the three-piece rock band of the same name, formed in 1998 in Indiana, Pennsylvania or the alternative rock band from New Orleans formed in 1991.
Albums
- Professional Againster, September 2003
- The New Violence, May 2005
- Prospero, October 2008
- Loose Manifesto, October 2010
EPs
- Hi-Cycle, April 1997
- Rock, Girls and Computers, October 2000
- Stupid Boy, 2002
- Got You On My Radar, October 2004
- The Devil For Sympathy, September 2007