Down At The Waterside
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| Down At The Waterside | |
|---|---|
| Origin |  Melbourne, Australia |
| Genre(s) | Indie rock Punk Garage |
| Years active | 2006-present |
| Label(s) | Glass Head |
| Members | |
| Brandon John Adam Rubenis Rob Sinni Matt Taylor |
|
Down At The Waterside are an Australian indie rock band formed in Melbourne in late 2006. Their first album 'Down in Albion' was released on May 13th through the band's own record label "Glass Head".
Contents |
[edit] Band History
The band formed in late 2006, when its three original members were finishing their education. Originally named The Rooks, the name was changed early on to simply Rooks, meaning "swindlers or cheats". In the early days, the band had no drummer, and early demos used computerised drum beats. In early 2007, close friend Alan Campbell joined the band as drummer, and the band started playing gigs at various Melbourne venues.
As they continued to record new material for their planned EP, a creative rift arose between Alan Campbell and the rest of the band. As a result, in late 2007, he left the band, and they were once again without a drummer. For a short time they again entertained the idea of a three-piece, with bassist Rob Sinni taking up drumming duties, and singer/guitarist Brandon John taking his place on bass.
The band changed their name in early 2008 to 'Down At The Waterside', a name that supposedly came to frontman John in a dream, where it was tatooed across his stomach. "We'd been looking to change the name for a little while at this point, I liked 'Rooks', but there were a few going round. We weren't having any ideas, though. Then I had this weird dream. I was at a place with all these mates, in the dream that is, and all of a sudden I was lying on the floor, slumped against a couch. And I open my eyes, and lift up my shirt, and there it is... It's this really intricate logo, with sort of compass points and, well anyway, it says 'Down At The Waterside' right on my stomach. And I remember thinking "Well, if I was going to get something weird tatooed on me when I was drunk, at least this is sort of cool. But what the hell does it mean? Then I woke up, of course. I told the guys, and Adsa's first response was "You know what? That'd be a great name for the band." and I agreed, and there it was, our new name."[1] After writing some more material as a three-piece, the band were approached by close friend Matt Taylor, who offered his services on drums. Sinni and John reverted to their former roles, thus forming the band's current lineup.
The band have produced a compilation entitled Regrets II. Released in a nondescript brown cardboard slip case, it features an assortment of early demos, previously unreleased tracks, and excerpts from recording sessions. The disc was designed to illustrate the band's origins and evolution. These have been released in very limited numbers to fans at early 2008 performances.
The band's first single, 'Can't Stand Me Now' was released via digital distribution on April 20th, 2008, and is expected to be given a traditional release in June. While it has so far failed to achieve notable commercial success, it has gained substantial airplay on community radio stations. Boosted by this relative success, the band were booked to play at several high profile venues, such as Melbourne's Hi-Fi bar, and many independent music festivals. Following this exposure, the band set to work on their first album, with lead singer and guitarist Brandon John quoted in an issue of Inpress as saying: "We are hoping for a late-08 release for the album. We haven't got an exact title for it yet, we're still tossing up a few ideas... It's looking to be a bit softer than the EP, more melodic I'd say... We think we have at least one great single on this one."[2]
[edit] The Alives
The album, titled 'The Alives', was released on May 13th, 2008, receiving generally positive reviews. 'IndiePress' described it as "energetic and enigmatic"[3] and rated it four stars. Punk magazine 'Ruckus' did point out some weaknesses, labelling tracks such as 'Legal &' "filler".[4] It includes 10 tracks, some of which the band have been playing live of recent times, and some which are entirely new. The album opens with re-released single Down in Albion, and closes with live favourite Fuck Forever.
[edit] Reception
The band have devoted much of their time to rehearsals and recording, but have also been committed to playing many of Melbourne's smaller venues, linking themselves closely with the underground indie scene. Some members of the music press have applauded their extravagant onstage theatrics and energetic performances, while others suggest that their often dangerous antics detract from their performances rather than enhance them. One show had to be halted halfway through after guitarist Adam Rubenis cut his arm open while smashing his guitar mid-song. Yet another show was stopped when a verbal stoush between lead singer Brandon John and a heckler developed into a moshpit brawl in which John dislocated his shoulder. These antics, as happens with many punk bands, have served to endear them to a particular segment of Australian concert-goers.
[edit] Influences
Down At The Waterside's musical inspirations are deliberately narrowed to a specific set of Anglo-centric influences. They have at times been compared to British act The Libertines, along with Leicester group Kasabian, and goth-garage band The Horrors. The band carry strong British influences, drawing their influences from a wide pool of British indie, punk and garage groups. Classic rock has also played its part. Frontman Brandon John has often cited that "The Beatles and Oasis have had the biggest influence on (his) music".
More influences come in the form of The Verve and The Music. Down At The Waterside define themselves as an indie-rock band, with garage, punk and Britpop influences, but John also defined their own genre in a recent radio interview: "We're not trying to be different for the sake of being different, but we don't want to be derivative either. I'm sometimes torn over whether to go for raucous punk energy, or to work some haunting effects out of a guitar, hypnotise, like The Verve. So I'd call us Punkgaze." However, several critics have attacked Down At The Waterside for failing to embody this description, feeling that they are more representative of a generic strain of UK indie culture.
[edit] Controversy
The band have struck up a fierce feud with fellow Melbourne outfit, Electro group 'Future Love'. When asked about the two bands' similar origins, Brandon John was quoted as saying: "Future Love? Are you fucking kidding me? Bunch of try-hard techno tossers, gagging to be the next Klaxons. I see this prick staggering about with a guitar, but what's he do with the fucking thing? Nothing. It sounds more like the singer murdering an elk at the front of the stage, while the other two are raping Daft Punk up the back. Keep that dance shit in fucking Eurotrash."
[edit] Band Members
- Brandon John - Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Adam Rubenis - Lead guitar, backing vocals
- Rob Sinni - Bass, backing vocals
- Matt Taylor - Drums
[edit] Former Members
- Alan Campbell - Drums
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
Down in Albion (May 13th, 2008) Glass Head
[edit] Compilations
Regrets II (Early 2008) Glass Head
[edit] Singles
| Date of Release | Title | B-side(s) | Label | Australian Chart Peak | Album |
| April 20, 2008 | "Can't Stand Me Now" | "Drifting (Acoustic)" | Glass Head | #54 (Australian Independent Punk and Rock Music Group) | Down in Albion |
