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The Smith Street Band
The Smith Street Band at Rocken am Brocken Festival in Germany 2016
The Smith Street Band at Rocken am Brocken Festival in Germany 2016
Background information
Also known asWil Wagner & The Smith Street Band (2010–2011), Lee Hartney Sex Drive
OriginMelbourne, Australia
GenresPunk rock, indie rock, folk punk, pub rock
Years active2010–current
LabelsJackknife Records, Poison City Records, Asian Man Records, SideOneDummy Records, Uncle M Music, Banquet Records, Pool House Records, Specialist Subject Records
MembersWil Wagner
Lee Hartney
Michael "Fitzy" Fitzgerald
Jess Locke
Matt Bodiam
Past membersTom Lawson
Jimi O'Loughlin
Chris Cowburn
Lucy Wilson
Websitethesmithstreetband.com

The Smith Street Band are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, Victoria, in which the titular Smith Street can be found. The band have released five extended plays and five studio albums, No One Gets Lost Anymore (2011), Sunshine and Technology (2012), Throw Me in the River (2014), More Scared of You than You Are of Me (2017) and Don't Waste Your Anger (2020).

History

Early history (2010–2011)

The band formed in 2010, composed of singer/lyricist/guitarist/keyboardist Wil Wagner, guitarist/backing vocalist Tom Lawson, guitarist Lee Hartney, bassist Jimi O'Loughlin and drummer/backing vocalist Chris Cowburn. Initially named Wil Wagner and The Smith Street Band — an allusion to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band — the band changed its name in 2011 to signify a change to a whole-band songwriting style.[1]

Their debut EP, South East Facing Wall, was released on Jackknife Records in January 2011 and was reissued in 2013.[2] The band's debut album, No One Gets Lost Anymore was released shortly after, in July 2011, on Poison City Records. Both albums received critical acclaim in Melbourne.[3]

Poison City Records years (2012–2015)

In 2012, the group announced their Young Drunks tour to promote their new album, Sunshine and Technology, which ran from January through March, with Bomb the Music Industry! and The Bennies as support acts.[4][5][6][7][8]

In March 2013, Wagner announced All Tomorrow's Shoeys, a three-day music festival held at Hobart's Brisbane Hotel. Curated by Wagner, the festival included Luca Brasi, The Bennies, Grim Fandango and Lincoln Le Fevre.[9] Later that month, the band participated in the "Tram Sessions" program that involves the recording of live performances on Melbourne tram routes. The program organisers explained: "One day we asked ourselves, hmm, if only there was a band who' s name encapsulated an iconic Melbourne street which also happened to be along an iconic Melbourne route who had a typically route 86 sound... And then it came to us. The Smith Street Band!"[10]

In August 2013, the Don't Fuck with Our Dreams EP was released. The EP's title track was inspired by the events prior to a show from the Young Drunks tour in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia, in which the guitarist from The Bennies was the victim of a near-fatal stabbing. The song was performed to end the band's show at The Fest event in Gainesville, Florida, US in late 2013.[11]

In June 2014, The Smith Street Band announced Jeff Rosenstock from Bomb the Music Industry! would produce their third album, being recorded in July 2014 in the small town of Forrest, Victoria.[12] The album is titled Throw Me in the River and was released on 31 October 2014.[13]

In January 2015, the band released an EP titled Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, which was inspired by the actions of then-Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his government, particularly its stance on asylum seekers.[14] The EP was released on 7" vinyl and as a download, with proceeds from its sales until the end of February going to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.[14] The song directly impacted sales of the band's album Throw Me in the River, which rose to number 105 on the Australian Albums Chart.[15] At the end of January, the band toured across Australia on the 26-date Get High, See Everyone tour alongside PUP, Great Cynics and Apart From This.[14]

Pool House Records, More Scared of You than You Are of Me and Don't Waste Your Anger (2016–present)

In November 2016, the band premiered "Death to the Lads" on Triple J, as the first single from their then-forthcoming album. A series of shows were announced as a promotional tour for the single, with bands The Nation Blue, Grim Rhythm and FOREVR.[16] The single made it to #21 on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2016.

The following day they announced that they would be leaving Poison City Records to start their own label, Pool House Records.[17]

In February the band sent out a series of birthday cards directing fans to a website which went live on Valentines Day and debuted the second single, "Birthdays", as well as officially announcing their fourth studio album, More Scared of You than You Are of Me, confirming that it would be released through Pool House Records and produced by Jeff Rosenstock.[18] Exclusive retailer should be Specialist Subject Records, an independent record label and shop based in Bristol, UK.

The album was promoted by Triple J in April as their feature album,[19] and a number of solo shows by Wil Wagner around the country, officially being released on the 7th. The band performed the entire album in full at a launch party, which was livestreamed via Facebook.[20] An Australian album tour was announced with A.W., Ceres and Joyce Manor.

On 26 May the band performed the opening show of their More Scared of You than You Are of Me tour, and debuted a new touring line-up; adding label-mate Jess Locke and musician/long-time friend of the band Lucy Wilson.[21]

In May, the band premiered the video for their third single, "Shine", recreating AC/DC's video for "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" with the original director Paul Drane.[22]

In June, it was announced that the band would be opening for Midnight Oil at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, alongside The Living End.

On 17 March 2018, Pool House Records held the inaugural Pool House Party festival at Coburg Velodrome in Melbourne, featuring label mates The Bennies and Jess Locke, local acts like Press Club, WAAX, and Baker Boy, and international guests Astronautalis and Signals Midwest.[23]

In February 2019, lead singer Wil Wagner was accused of harassment and emotional abuse following the circulation on social media of emails and messages sent by Wagner, with support acts subsequently pulling out of the Smith Street Band's upcoming national tour.[24]

In April 2020, the band announced the release of their fifth studio album, Don't Waste Your Anger.[25] The album became the band's first to peak at number one on the ARIA Charts.[26] The album featured more electronic elements the previous albums, showing the band's departure from their previously Punk rock sound. This makes the album sound little like it's predecessors and sound like a new, more synth driven sound.

In March 2021, the band released a live unplugged album which was made up of acoustic versions of previous Smith Street Band songs and a cover of Frightened Rabbit's song 'Poke'.

Band members

Current members

  • Wil Wagner – lead vocals, guitar (2010–present), keyboards (2010–2012, 2017)
  • Lee Hartney – guitar, backing vocals (2010–present)
  • Michael "Fitzy" Fitzgerald – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)[27]
  • Jess Locke – guitar, backing vocals (2018–present; touring member 2017–2018)
  • Matt Bodiam – drums (2018–present; touring member 2017–2018)

Former members

  • Jimi O'Loughlin – bass guitar (2010–2012)
  • Tom Lawson – guitar, backing vocals (2010–2012)
  • Chris Cowburn – drums, backing vocals (2010-2017)
  • Lucy Wilson – backing vocals, keyboards, percussion, acoustic guitar (2018–2021; touring member 2017–2018)
  • Wil Wagner
    Wil Wagner
  • Michael "Fitzy" Fitzgerald
    Michael "Fitzy" Fitzgerald
  • Lee Hartney
    Lee Hartney

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[28]
No One Gets Lost Anymore —
Sunshine and Technology
  • Released: August 2012
  • Label: Poison City (PCR055)
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP
 —
Throw Me in the River
  • Released: 31 October 2014
  • Label: Poison City (PCR100)
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP
 18
More Scared of You than You Are of Me
  • Released: April 2017
  • Label: Pool House (PHR002)
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 3
Don't Waste Your Anger
  • Released: 17 April 2020[25]
  • Label: Pool House (PHR029)
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 1

Live albums

List of live albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[28]
Live at the Triffid
  • Released: March 2020
  • Label: Pool House
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 4
Viva La Rev
  • Released: 6 November 2020
  • Label: Pool House
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 30
Unplugged in Wombat State Forest
  • Released: 5 March 2021[29]
  • Label: Pool House
  • Formats: CD, DVD, cassette, digital download, streaming
 11
[30]

EPs

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title EP details
South East Facing Wall
  • Released: February 2011, November 2018 (streaming)
  • Label: Jackknife Music (JKM#4)
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Don't Fuck with Our Dreams
  • Released: August 2013
  • Label: Poison City (PCR070)
  • Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl
Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face
  • Released: January 2015[31]
  • Label: Poison City (PCR101)
  • Formats: Digital download, vinyl
Little Elephant Session
  • Note: Live session recorded at Little Elephant
  • Released: December 2016
  • Label: Little Elephant
  • Formats: Numbered vinyl
Little Elephant Session 2
  • Note: Live session recorded at Little Elephant
  • Released: December 2017
  • Label: Little Elephant
  • Formats: Numbered vinyl

Singles

Year Title Album
2012 "Young Drunk"[32] Sunshine & Technology
2013 "Ducks Fly Together"[33] Don't Fuck with Our Dreams
2014 "Surrender"[34] Throw Me in the River
2015 "Something I Can Hold in My Hands"[35]
"I Scare Myself Sometimes"
(featuring Lucy Wilson)[36] 		non album single
2016 "Death to the Lads"[37] More Scared of You than You Are of Me
2017 "Birthdays"[38]
"Shine"[39]
"Passiona"[40]
2019 "I Am Nothing / Chips & Gravy"[41] non album single
2020 "Big Smoke"[42] Don't Waste Your Anger
"I Still Dream About You"[25]
2021 "It's OK"[43] Unplugged in Wombat State Forest

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
AIR Awards of 2013[44] Sunshine and Technology Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2015[45] Throw Me in the River' Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2018[46] More Scare of You That You Are of Me Best Independent Hard Rock or Punk Album Nominated

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
J Awards of 2017[47] More Scare of You That You Are of Me Australian Album of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
National Live Music Awards of 2016[48] themselves Live Act of the Year Won
National Live Music Awards of 2017[49][50] Lee Hartney (The Smith Street Band) Live Guitarist of the Year Nominated

References

  1. ^ "The Smith Street Band - Interview". Kill Your Stereo. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "The Smith Street Band – South East Facing Wall 7" 2nd pressing out now!"". Jackknife Records. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  3. ^ Wilson, Alex (6 September 2012). "THE SMITH STREET BAND – Sunshine and Technology album review". The Music. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  4. ^ "The Smith Street Band announce 'Young Drunks' tour". ABC Online. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  5. ^ Egging, Kiel (3 December 2012). "The Smith Street Band Australian Tour January–March 2013". Music Feeds. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  6. ^ "The Smith Street Band Announce 'Young Drunks' Tour". AAA Backstage. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  7. ^ "The Smith Street Band tour kicks off tonight". Bombshellzine.com. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  8. ^ "The Smith Street Band Announce More Shows, All Ages and Supports of Young Drunk Tour". Chucking a Mosh. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  9. ^ "All Tomorrow's Shoeys 2013 Lineup Announced". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  10. ^ "The Smith Street Band – Sigourney Weaver | Tram Sessions" (Video upload). Tram Sessions on YouTube. Google Inc. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  11. ^ Mike Plante (2 December 2013). "The Smith Street Band LIVE @ THE FEST 12 3 November 2013" (Video upload). Mike Plante on YouTube. Google Inc. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Jeff Rosenstock to produce new Smith Street Band LP". PunkNews. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  13. ^ "The Smith Street Band release album details, more exclusive footage". FasterLouder. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  14. ^ a b c Baroni, Nastassia (12 January 2015). "The Smith Street Band Tell Tony Abbott To 'Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  15. ^ Cashmere, Paul (17 January 2015). "ARIA Albums: Meghan Trainor Title Is Australia's No 1 Album". Noise11. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  16. ^ "The Smith Street Band Announce 'Death to The Lads' and tour Dates - speakertv". www.speakertv.com. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  17. ^ "The Smith Street Band". Retrieved 4 June 2017 – via Facebook.
  18. ^ "BIRTHDAYS VIDEO". BIRTHDAYS. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  19. ^ "New on triple j: Smith Street Band nab feature album | Music News | triple j". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  20. ^ "The Smith Street Band". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  21. ^ Band, The Smith St (25 May 2017). "Oh yeah! Surprise! We're a 6 piece now! Welcome to The Smithies, Jess Locke and Lucy Wilson!https://twitter.com/sleepyheadstas/status/867788049157038080 …". @smithstband. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  22. ^ "The Smith Street Band Recreate Classic AC/DC Video for 'Shine' Clip". theMusic. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  23. ^ "POOL HOUSE PARTY". POOL HOUSE PARTY. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Singer Georgia McDonald Accuses Smith Street Bands Will Wagner of Harassment". The Guadian. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  25. ^ a b c "The Smith Street Band Drop New Single + Announce Early Album Release". hysteriamag. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  26. ^ "SAINt JHN, The Smith Street Band Rule Australia's Charts". billboard.com. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  27. ^ "The Smith Street Band - Facebook".
  28. ^ a b "Discography The Smith Street Band". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2 April 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ The Smith Street Band Expand 'Unplugged' Tour, Share New Single. Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia, 22 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  30. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face - single". Apple Music Australia. January 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  32. ^ "Young Drunk - single". AIRIT. August 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  33. ^ "Ducks Fly Together - single". AIRIT. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Surrender - single". AIRIT. August 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Something I Can Hold In My Hands - single". AIRIT. June 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  36. ^ "I Scare Myself Sometimes - single". Apple Music Australia. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  37. ^ "Death to the Lads - single". Apple Music Australia. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Birthdays - single". AIRIT. February 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  39. ^ "Shine- single". Apple Music Australia. May 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  40. ^ "Passiona- single". Apple Music Australia. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  41. ^ "I Am Nothing / Chips & Gravy - single". Apple Music Australia. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  42. ^ "Big Smoke - single". Apple Music Australia. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  43. ^ The Smith Street Band Expand 'Unplugged' Tour, Share New Single. Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia, 22 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  44. ^ "Final AIR Awards 2013 Nominations Revealed, $50,000 Prize Announced". tonedeaf. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  45. ^ "1 Dads, Courtney Barnett Lead This Year's Independent Music Award Nominations". MusicFeeds. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  46. ^ "2018 AIR Awards Nominees". 17 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  47. ^ "The J Award 2017". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  48. ^ "Nominees 2016". NLMA. 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  49. ^ "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". NLMA. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  50. ^ "Winners 2017". NLMA. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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