Custard (band)

Custard
Custard performing at Brisbane Festival, 17 September 2011
Background information
Origin	Brisbane, Australia
Genres	Indie rock
Years active	1990–1999, 2009–
Labels	rooArt BMG
Associated acts	The Titanics David McCormack and the Polaroids The Go-Betweens Beachfield, The Boat Show
Members	David McCormack Paul Medew Matthew Strong Glenn Thompson
Past members	James Straker Shane Brunn Matthew Strong Gavin Herrenberg Danny Plant

Custard is an Australian indie rock band from Brisbane, Australia, that was formed in 1990.

History

The band was originally known as "Custard Gun" and featured David McCormack on vocals and guitar, Paul Medew on bass, James Straker (later in The Melniks) on guitar and Shane Brunn (who later formed Hugbubble and Vanlustbader) on drums. After a few shows and line up changes (namely Straker being replaced by Matthew Strong) Custard Gun morphed into Custard. Custard existed for about a decade (albeit with revolving line up of drummers—Gavin Herrenberg, Danny Plant, Glenn Thompson, et al.). The band released five albums (Buttercup/Bedford, Wahooti Fandango, Wisenheimer, We Have the Technology and Loverama), two EPs (Gastanked and Brisbane) a 7" single ("Rockfish Anna"), various CD singles, two compilations of re-issued and rare material (Wacked Not Wacky and Brisbane 1990-1994) and a posthumous greatest hits compilation, entitled Goodbye Cruel World. During its heyday the band was a popular live act, appearing prominently for several years in the Triple J Hottest 100.

The band was colloquially known as "Custaro" due to frequent misreadings of its name.^{[citation needed]}

Post-Custard

After the split, lead singer and guitarist, McCormack, formed The Titanics with drummer, Thompson, also on guitar. Joining them were McCormack's then-wife, Emma Tom, on bass and Tina Havelock-Stevens on drums. The Titanics did not last long, releasing two albums, Size Isn't Everything and Love is the Devil, before the group disbanded.

McCormack has since released three albums and one DVD with David McCormack and the Polaroids and continues to tour throughout Australia with a band that features his brother, Dylan (Gentle Ben and his Sensitive Side) on bass, Shane Melder (ex-Sidewinder) on drums and Cameron Bruce (of comedy trio GUD). Releases include "Candy" (2002), "Save Dave" DVD (2003), "The Truth About Love" (2004) and "Little Murders" (2009).

Strong later joined The Lost Gospel to play bass with the singer of Grinspoon, Phil Jamieson, in 2004, a group that lasted until the end of 2006.

Thompson re-joined The Go-Betweens in 2001,^[1] having first played in the band in 1995.^[2] Thompson played on The Go-Betweens' last two albums, Bright Yellow Bright Orange^[3] and Oceans Apart;^[4] he also toured with the band until Grant McLennan's death in 2006.^[5] Thompson then released his first solo album, Brighton Bothways, under the name "Beachfield" in 2007.^[6][7] In 2010, Thompson formed a duo with Adele Pickvance from The Go-Betweens, called Adele & Glenn, and launched a debut album in April 2012.^[8]

In 2008, Medew was a member of The Purple Hearts.

Reformation

Custard reformed for a one off event on 10 December 2009 to celebrate Queensland's 150th birthday. They supported Powderfinger and were joined by a number of other local acts.^[9][10]

Since reforming the band have played one or two gigs per year.^[11] In 2010 the band performed at the 2010 Meredith Music Festival.

Custard also performed as a headliner act for Float On: A Brisbane Flood Relief Benefit in February 2011, a show presented by Mucho-Bravado and The Hi-Fi to raise money for the victims of the recent floods in Queensland, Australia. Those appearing were Little Scout, Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side, Screamfeeder, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Regurgitator.^[12]

Custard will perform again at the 2011 Brisbane Festival.^[13][14]

McCormack has not ruled out the possibility of new material, stating that "If the vibe's there we could do it".^[14]

Discography

Albums

• Buttercup/Bedford (1991)
• Wahooti Fandango (1994)
• Wisenheimer (1995)
• We Have The Technology (1997)
• Loverama (1999)
• Brisbane 1990 - 1993 (2001)
• Spaces by the Side of the Road DVD (2007)

Compilations

• Quarantine (1994) – Soundtrack to the video game
• Wacked Not Wacky (1996) – Compilation of rare songs and Buttercup album
• Goodbye Cruel World (2000) – Greatest Hits compilation
• Brisbane 1990-1994 (2004) – Compilation of first 2 EPs
• The Essential (2010)

EPs

• Gastanked (1992)
• Brisbane (1993)

Singles

• "Rockfish Anna" [7" vinyl] (1991)
• "Casanova" (1993)
• "Singlette/Flannelette" [Double A-side single] (1993)
• "Aloha Tambourinist" (1994)
• "Pack Yr Suitcases" (1994)
• "Alone" (1995)
• "Apartment" (1995)
• "Lucky Star" (1996)
• "Sunset Strip" (1996)
• "Leisuremaster" (1996)
• "Nice Bird" (1997)
• "Anatomically Correct" (1997)
• "Music is Crap" (1998)
• "Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)" (1998)
• "Hit Song" (1999)
• "Ringo (I Feel Like)" (1999)
• "The New Matthew" (1999)

References

External links

• Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived April 7, 2002)