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
Tom Jackman (drums, 1 month tour, 1992)

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 1990-1993) 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.[1][2][3][4]

The band was colloquially known as "Custaro" due to frequent misreadings of its name.[5]

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,[6] having first played in the band in 1995.[7] Thompson played on The Go-Betweens' last two albums, Bright Yellow Bright Orange[8] and Oceans Apart;[9] he also toured with the band until Grant McLennan's death in 2006.[10] Thompson then released his first solo album, Brighton Bothways, under the name "Beachfield" in 2007.[11][12] In 2010, Thompson formed a duo with Adele Pickvance from The Go-Betweens, called Adele & Glenn, and launched a debut album in April 2012.[13]

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.[14][15]

Since reforming the band have played one or two gigs per year.[16] 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.[17]

Custard performed at the 2011 Brisbane Festival.[18][19]

McCormack has not ruled out the possibility of new material, stating that "If the vibe's there we could do it".[19]

Discography

Albums

Compilations

EPs

Singles

References

  1. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=1995&alltime=0
  2. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=1997&alltime=0
  3. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=1998&alltime=0
  4. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=1999&alltime=0
  5. ↑ Sennett, Sean; Groth, Simon (2010). Off the Record. University of Queensland Press.
  6. ↑ Hocking, Steven (11 June 2003). "The Go-Betweens". dB Magazine ed No. 306.
  7. ↑ McKenzie, Simon (1995). "The Australian Go-Betweens Show: Forster Interview". Time Off Magazine.
  8. ↑ Dwyer, Michael (20 June 2003). "The Go-Be twins". The Age.
  9. ↑ Blackman, Guy (10 July 2005). "Happy families". The Age.
  10. ↑ Fazio, The Hon. Amanda (9 May 2006). "Death of Mr Grant Mclennan". Parliament of New South Wales.
  11. ↑ F, D (9 November 2007). NME http://www.nme.com/reviews/beachfield/9229. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ Beachfield (26 March 2012). "Beachfield". myspace. Myspace LLC. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  13. ↑ themusic.com.au (11 April 2012). "Adele & Glenn launch Debut Album". themusic.com.au. Street Press Australia Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Q150 Celebration Highlights Proclamation Day". Queensland Government. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  15. ↑ Mengel, Noel (10 October 2009). "Powderfinger and Custard pay homage to Queensland music". Brisbane Courier Mail. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  16. ↑ Alexander, Mitch (2011-02-01). "Custard". Rave Magazine. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
  17. ↑ Scott Thompson (2011-02-09). "Float On". Time Off (1513): 45. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
  18. ↑ Williams, Rohan (2011-08-24). "Custard: Popping The Cherry". Scene (910): 24. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Bell, Steve (2011-08-24). "Prodigal Sons". Time Off (1541): 16.

External links