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==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Powderfinger consists of five members, [[Bernard Fanning]] (lead [[vocal]]s, [[guitar]], [[keyboard]]s and [[harmonica]]), [[John Collins (Australian musician)|John Collins]] ([[bass guitar]]), [[Ian Haug]] (guitar, backing vocals), [[Darren Middleton]] (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) and [[Jon Coghill]] ([[drum]]s, [[percussion]]). This lineup has remained since 1992. Prior to this, [[Steven Bishop]] was the group's drummer, who left due to study reasons and [[Alister Donkin]] was the singer and guitarist who left for unknown reasons.<Ref>Rice, R. et al. (2007), [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/faqfile.htm#1p1 The Powderfinger FAQ - Who is in the band?], retrieved on 13 June, 2007.</ref> The band often refers to one another with partial pseudonyms. Most notably, John Collins and Jon Coghill, presumably to avoid confusion, are referred to as JC and Cogsy respectively.<ref>Cashmere, Paul, [http://www.undercover.com.au/idol/powderfinger.html Powderfinger, Interview]. Released 2003. Retrieved [[10 August]], [[2007]].</ref>
Powderfinger consists of five members, [[Bernard Fanning]] (lead [[vocal]]s, [[guitar]], [[keyboard]]s and [[harmonica]]), [[John Collins (Australian musician)|John Collins]] ([[bass guitar]]), [[Ian Haug]] (guitar, backing vocals), [[Darren Middleton]] (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) and [[Jon Coghill]] ([[drum]]s, [[percussion]]). This lineup has remained since 1992. Prior to this, [[Steven Bishop]] was the group's drummer, who left due to study reasons.<Ref>Rice, R. et al. (2007), [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/faqfile.htm#1p1 The Powderfinger FAQ - Who is in the band?], retrieved on 13 June, 2007.</ref> The band often refers to one another with partial pseudonyms. Most notably, John Collins and Jon Coghill, presumably to avoid confusion, are referred to as JC and Cogsy respectively.<ref>Cashmere, Paul, [http://www.undercover.com.au/idol/powderfinger.html Powderfinger, Interview]. Released 2003. Retrieved [[10 August]], [[2007]].</ref>


The group has collaborated with few artists, but have had legendary session pianist [[Benmont Tench]] play pianos, and keyboards for their 2007 album ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence''.<ref>Triple J (2007), [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1898994.htm New Powderfinger Album Details], retrieved on July 9, 2007.</ref> For their second album, ''Tim Whitten'', the group enlisted American expatriate [[Nick Didia]] as their producer, and recorded with him at [[Sing Sing Studios]] in [[Melbourne]].<ref>Powderfinger Central (2002), [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/discog/inter.htm ''Internationalist'' Details], retrieved on August 11, 2007.</ref> Satisfied with the work with him, the group called upon him again for the following two albums, effective making Didia the producer for the group's three most awarded albums. The group decided to break the streak in 2007 when they called upon [[Rob Schnapf]], producer for [[Beck]], to produce their sixth studio effort in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>[[Triple J]] (2007), [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s1932552.htm Dream Days at the Hotel Existence: Triple J Music Reviews], retrieved on May 28, 2007.</ref>
The group has collaborated with few artists, but have had legendary session pianist [[Benmont Tench]] play pianos, and keyboards for their 2007 album ''Dream Days at the Hotel Existence''.<ref>Triple J (2007), [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1898994.htm New Powderfinger Album Details], retrieved on July 9, 2007.</ref> For their second album, ''Tim Whitten'', the group enlisted American expatriate [[Nick Didia]] as their producer, and recorded with him at [[Sing Sing Studios]] in [[Melbourne]].<ref>Powderfinger Central (2002), [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/discog/inter.htm ''Internationalist'' Details], retrieved on August 11, 2007.</ref> Satisfied with the work with him, the group called upon him again for the following two albums, effective making Didia the producer for the group's three most awarded albums. The group decided to break the streak in 2007 when they called upon [[Rob Schnapf]], producer for [[Beck]], to produce their sixth studio effort in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>[[Triple J]] (2007), [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s1932552.htm Dream Days at the Hotel Existence: Triple J Music Reviews], retrieved on May 28, 2007.</ref>

Revision as of 06:51, 4 September 2007

Powderfinger

Powderfinger is a rock band based in Australia. The band formed in 1989 in Brisbane, and their lineup since 1992 has consisted of Bernard Fanning, John Collins, Ian Haug, Darren Middleton and Jon Coghill.[3]

Powderfinger is highly successful in the Australian recording industry, being a recipient of the industry's flagship awards, the ARIA Music Awards, a record fourteen times.[4] The group has also topped the Triple J Hottest 100 chart twice with seventeen entries in the list in total.[5] Of the group's six studio efforts, four have placed at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, with one also peaking at #2. The group has also contributed music for several films, including the Australian film Two Hands,[6] and the Australian based Mission: Impossible II.[7]

Powderfinger went on a three-year hiatus after releasing their first "greatest hits" album, Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000, in 2004. During this time, the group's lead singer Bernard Fanning released a solo album Tea and Sympathy which, like the group's albums, was lauded with ARIA awards and received successful airplay and sales figures in Australia. Darren Middleton also produced an album, The Way Out, with his band Drag, whilst Ian Haug and John Collins released an EP, "Pick Up the Pace", with their side project The Predators.

History

Powderfinger formation and early EPs (1989-1994)

Main articles: Powderfinger (EP) and Transfusion (EP)
File:BlueEP Front.jpg
The cover art for the band's first EP; Powderfinger.

After individual work in several other bands,[8] Powderfinger formed in 1989 as a high school band, the original members of which were Ian Haug (Vocals, Guitar), John Collins (Bass) and Steven Bishop (Drums).[9] The band began looking for another guitarist and recruited Bernard Fanning whom Haug met in his university economics class. Eventually, Haug passed the vocal duties over to Fanning. Bishop later left the band, to be replaced with Jon Coghill. The final line-up was almost complete, but they decided to seek out another guitarist to replace Donkin. Darren Middleton, guitarist from the band 'Pirate', filled the position in 1992.[10]

Powderfinger initially performed cover versions of other artists' songs, gradually developing their own material.[10] In 1992, the group self-funded a recording of their early works and released them as a self-titled EP Powderfinger, otherwise known as The Blue EP.[11] The EP quickly became successful and the group was signed to Polydor Records. At this time, the group had again funded their own recording for their second EP Transfusion, but it was released under the Polydor label. In 1993, Transfusion reached #1 spot on the Australian Alternative Music Chart.[12]

Early albums (1994-1997)

Main articles: Parables for Wooden Ears, Mr Kneebone, and Double Allergic

Powderfinger's music in this period was predominantly rock, though ranged from soft, bluesy-rock to hard-rock. In this style, the group wrote their first full length studio album Parables for Wooden Ears. With Polydor in 1994, Powderfinger released this debut album, though it charted poorly and failed to launch the band. Following this, the band released several singles and an EP which launched a national tour, appearing in Livid and Homebake music festivals.[13] Three singles were released from the album: "Tail", "Grave Concern", and "Save Your Skin". "Sink Low", another song from the album, was included in Powderfinger's first best-of compilation, Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000. Parables for Wooden Ears was regarded by many as Powderfinger's worst album, and its poor reviews are indicative of this.[14] Reviews generally stated that "At this point, Powderfinger had the raw talent, but not the experience to turn it into a great record."[15] Following the release of Parables for Wooden Ears, the group recorded another EP entitled Mr Kneebone in 1995.

In September 1996, the band released their second album, Double Allergic. The album was highly successful, reaching double platinum status in Australia.[16][17] Four singles were released from the album; "Pick You Up", "D.A.F.", "Living Type" and "Take Me In", which was also released as a video-single featuring several other music videos by the group. Double Allergic debuted at #7 on the Australian charts and remained in the Top 10 for over two months.[18] Double Allergic was rated much higher then its predecessor, Parables for Wooden Ears. In their review of the album, FasterLouder commented that "when Double Allergic was released in 1996, it showed the band were here for the long haul to become arguably one of the best of the decade."[19]. F

Critical acclaim and chart success (1998-2002)

The album art for Internationalist, which won the ARIA Award for Best Cover Art in 1999
Main articles: Internationalist (album) and Odyssey Number Five

In 1998 Powderfinger released Internationalist. It propelled Powderfinger to a prominent position on the Australian music scene, reaching #1 on the charts, and selling over 280,000 copies.[20] It went over 5 times platinum domestically, and reached European audiences for the first time.[21] The album featured mainly melodic rock, with vocals often compared to the band's declared inspiration, Neil Young. The name 'Powderfinger' is from the title of a Neil Young and Crazy Horse song.[10][22] The band received much praise, and criticism, for the political views in several songs on Internationalist. In an interview with Benedict Watts, guitarist Ian Haug said that the political messages in "The Day You Come" were not something preached about, but were something they saw as a responsibility.[23] In a different interview, Bernard Fanning said the band would never "try and preach, we would only ever try and suggest things to people as possibilities."[24] Internationalist was the first Powderfinger album to win ARIA Awards - in 1999 it won Album of the Year, Best Rock Album, and Best Cover Art, whilst "The Day You Come" won Single of the Year. It was also nominated for several awards in 2000.[25]

The album art for Odyssey Number Five, which won the ARIA Award for Best Cover Art in 2001

Odyssey Number Five was released in September 2000, shortly after Powderfinger were asked to write songs for the soundtracks of two films; Two Hands and Mission: Impossible II. The song "These Days" was written for Two Hands,[26] whilst "My Kind of Scene" was written for Mission: Impossible II.[27] Odyssey Number Five was Powderfinger's most successful album to date; selling 350,000 copies.[28] "My Kind of Scene" was also released as a single off the album, as were four other songs; "My Happiness", "Like a Dog", "The Metre", and "Waiting for the Sun" (which was released as a B-side of "The Metre"). Odyssey Number Five won ARIA Awards for Album of the Year, Highest Selling Album, Best Rock Album, Best Cover Art, and Best Group in 2001. "My Happiness" was also awarded Single of the Year, and several other songs were nominated for various awards.[29][25]

Rock resurgence and compilation releases (2003-2005)

The album art for Vulture Street, featuring model Eva Herzigová, which won the ARIA Award for Best Cover Art in 2003
Main articles: Vulture Street; These Days: Live in Concert; and Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000

Powderfinger's 2003 studio album Vulture Street, which was named after the Brisbane street where Powderfinger's band room was, headed off in a more aggressive direction, though remaining ballad oriented and melodic in style.[28] Reviewer Bernard Zuel described the album as "a rawer, louder, but by no means unrefined, album," and commented that it featured "Darren Middleton and Ian Haug dominating in a way they haven't since their 1994 debut, Parables for Wooden Ears."[28]

Four singles were released from Vulture Street; "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind", "Since You've Been Gone", "Love Your Way", and "Sunsets." "Stumblin'," another song on the album, was released as a promotional single from These Days: Live in Concert - Powderfinger's first live album. Like the two prior albums, Vulture Street won several ARIA Awards. In 2003, it won Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album, and Best Cover Art.[25] Several songs on the album were also nominated for awards, in 2003 and 2004.

These Days: Live in Concert was the first live release by Powderfinger. Both the CD and DVD versions were released in late 2004. One single was released from the album; "Stumblin'", a song which originally appeared on Vulture Street. In fact, most of the songs on the album were taken from Powderfinger's previous album. The DVD version of These Days: Live in Concert included the Marvin Gaye cover "Inner City Blues". Following the release of These Days, Powderfinger also released a best of album weeks later, entitled Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000. It included many of the band's singles to date, but also included unreleased songs including "Thrilloilogy", "Belter" and "These Days", which was never a commercial single, but did receive radioplay when initially released. The album also included two new songs; "Bless My Soul" and "Process This", although only "Bless My Soul" was released as a single. Following the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, Powderfinger appeared at the WaveAid fundraising concert in Sydney, to raise funds for aid organisations working in the disaster affected areas.[30] Following this performance, the group announced their decision to take time off to pursue solo and side projects.

The era of side projects (2005–2007)

Powderfinger had a period of hiatus after the 2005 release of Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000. During that time, several band members pursued other individual pathways, some musically, while some took the time to relax. Jon Coghill was the only member to not release any music in this time as he decided to dedicate the time towards starting a family. Both of the group's guitarists Ian Haug and Darren Middleton both also had children in this time, though both released music as well.

The album art for The Way Out, the debut album for Middleton's side project Drag.

Darren Middleton and his side project Drag released their debut album,[31] a follow-up to their 2002 EP Gas Food Lodging. The debut album, entitled The Way Out, was released on July 10, 2005.[32] Haug and bassist John Collins also took their cue from this and formed the group The Predators with Powderfinger's former drummer Steven Bishop on drums and lead vocals. The group released a six-track EP; Pick Up the Pace, in 2005 and performed a small tour in Australia.[33]

Powderfinger's singer Bernard Fanning released his solo album, Tea and Sympathy, on 30 October, 2005,[34] reaching the top of the Australian charts and earned Fanning the coveted ARIA Music Award for Album of the Year.[35] The lead single from Tea and Sympathy, "Wish You Well", was voted number one in the 2005 Triple J Hottest 100.[36] "Watch Over Me", the only physical single released from the album, reached number 16 on the ARIA singles chart.[37] Fanning also sang for The Wrights when the group performed "Evie Part II: Evie" at WaveAid and released it as a single, with the proceeds from the sale also going to tsunami related fundraising.[38]

Return from hiatus (2007-present)

Main article: Dream Days at the Hotel Existence

Dream Days at the Hotel Existence was released on 2 June, 2007, and became the band's sixth studio album. It debuted at #1 on the ARIA chart,[39] and broke the Australian digital sales record.[40] Reviewers, however, did not rate it as highly as its predecessor; Vulture Street, with the majority of reviews describing it as "consistent".[41] On June 12, 2007, Powderfinger and Silverchair announced a 9 week tour entitled Across the Great Divide Tour, an effort to promote reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. The tour appeared in all state capital cities and 14 regional centers across Australia.[42]

The first single from the album, "Lost and Running", was released on May 12, 2007, and reached #5 on the ARIA singles chart on May 21, 2007.[43] A second single, "I Don't Remember," was released on August 4, 2007. A song from the album, "Black Tears", was amended following concerns it could prejudice a trial over the Palm Island death in custody case. Powderfinger's lead singer, Bernard Fanning, said in a statement another version of the song would now feature on the album, as a result of the claims.[44].

Personnel

Powderfinger consists of five members, Bernard Fanning (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards and harmonica), John Collins (bass guitar), Ian Haug (guitar, backing vocals), Darren Middleton (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) and Jon Coghill (drums, percussion). This lineup has remained since 1992. Prior to this, Steven Bishop was the group's drummer, who left due to study reasons.[45] The band often refers to one another with partial pseudonyms. Most notably, John Collins and Jon Coghill, presumably to avoid confusion, are referred to as JC and Cogsy respectively.[46]

The group has collaborated with few artists, but have had legendary session pianist Benmont Tench play pianos, and keyboards for their 2007 album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.[47] For their second album, Tim Whitten, the group enlisted American expatriate Nick Didia as their producer, and recorded with him at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne.[48] Satisfied with the work with him, the group called upon him again for the following two albums, effective making Didia the producer for the group's three most awarded albums. The group decided to break the streak in 2007 when they called upon Rob Schnapf, producer for Beck, to produce their sixth studio effort in Los Angeles.[49]

Discography

Main article: Powderfinger discography
Studio albums

Awards, accolades and nominations

Main article: Powderfinger awards
Award Number received Nominations
ARIA Awards 14 36
APRA Awards 3 5

See also

References

  1. ^ AOL Music (2007), Powderfinger on AOL Music, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  2. ^ MP3.com (2007), Powderfinger on mp3.com, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  3. ^ Rice, R. et al. (2007), The Powderfinger FAQ - Who is in the band?, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  4. ^ ARIA Awards, ARIA Awards History. Retrieved 8 August, 2007.
  5. ^ "Powderfinger awards". English Wikipedia. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  6. ^ "Two Hands Soundtrack". Soundtrack Collector. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  7. ^ "M:I-2 Soundtrack". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  8. ^ Powderfinger Central (2007), Powderfinger History, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  9. ^ BBC (2002), Powderfinger - The Band, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  10. ^ a b c Rockdetector (2006), Powderfinger, retrieved on 13 June, 2007. Cite error: The named reference "rockd" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ Lyrics Freak (2007), Powderfinger Biography, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  12. ^ McPherson, M. (1994), Powderfinger, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  13. ^ Lawrence, A. (1996), Make mine a double, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  14. ^ "Powderfinger: A Rock Band That Have Withstood The Test Of Time". Pubs and Clubs Australia. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  15. ^ "Powderfinger - Parables for Wooden Ears". James Bishop. Sputik Music. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  16. ^ Budden, M. (1996), Powder To Pick Up To Cure All Your Allergies, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  17. ^ An Interview with Bernard Fanning, retrieved 13 June, 2007.
  18. ^ Blythe, P. (1996), I Is Not Me, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  19. ^ "Powderfinger - Double Allergic". FasterLouder. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  20. ^ "The Powderfinger FAQ". Powderfinger Central. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  21. ^ Six, N. (1998), Day Dream Believers, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  22. ^ Munro, K. (2001), Internationalists, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  23. ^ Watts, B. (1998), The Beckoning Finger, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  24. ^ Johnson, N. (1998), Talkin' Politics?, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  25. ^ a b c "Australia ARIA Award Winners". ALLdownunder.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  26. ^ Soundtrack Collector (1999), Two Hands Soundtrack, retrieved on 12 June, 2007.
  27. ^ ""My Kind of Scene"". Hindley Site. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  28. ^ a b c "Powderfinger, Vulture Street". Bernard Zuel. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  29. ^ "Powderfinger / Odyssey Number Five". Sanity. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  30. ^ "WaveAid @ Sydney Cricket Ground". FasterLouder. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  31. ^ "Artist feature: Drag". ninemsn Music. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  32. ^ "Drag". Dew Process. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  33. ^ "Interivews: The Predators". Australian Music Online. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  34. ^ "Tea & Sympathy - Bernard Fanning". Last.fm. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  35. ^ Australian-Charts.com (2007), Tea and Sympathy, retrieved on August 8, 2007.
  36. ^ "Triple J Hottest 100 - 2005". Triple J. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  37. ^ "Watch Over Me - Bernard Fanning". Australian-Charts.com. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  38. ^ Cashmere, P. (2005), Nic Cester Supergroup Christened To Wrights, retrieved 10 June, 2007.
  39. ^ Australian-Charts.com (2007), Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, retrieved on July 9, 2007.
  40. ^ Powderfinger (2007), Powderfinger Newsletter - June 13 2007, retrieved on June 13, 2007.
  41. ^ Herald Sun Hit (2007), Dream Days at the Hotel Existence review, retrieved on June 13, 2007.
  42. ^ The Dwarf reports on Across the Great Divide Tour.
  43. ^ Australian Music Charts (2007), Australian charts - 21/05/2007 to 27/05/2007, retrieved on 8 August, 2007.
  44. ^ AAP (2007), New Powderfinger Lyrics Okay, retrieved on 4 May, 2007.
  45. ^ Rice, R. et al. (2007), The Powderfinger FAQ - Who is in the band?, retrieved on 13 June, 2007.
  46. ^ Cashmere, Paul, Powderfinger, Interview. Released 2003. Retrieved 10 August, 2007.
  47. ^ Triple J (2007), New Powderfinger Album Details, retrieved on July 9, 2007.
  48. ^ Powderfinger Central (2002), Internationalist Details, retrieved on August 11, 2007.
  49. ^ Triple J (2007), Dream Days at the Hotel Existence: Triple J Music Reviews, retrieved on May 28, 2007.
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