10 Bands that brought Aussie Rock to the world stage
The Aussie Rock Scene has some of the most unique and diverse artists imaginable, and have helped in contributing to help shape Australian culture over the years. Every so often though, one Australian band will break through into international success, helping to bring Aussie rock to the world stage.
Here's ten such bands that have brought the noise to other nations... this list is by no means complete - there are many Aussie bands who enjoyed great success both within the country and overseas.
AC/DC
AC/DC had their beginnings in the early 1970's, initially formed by the Young Brothers in Sydney, and then solidifying their line-up when Bon Scott from Fremantle, Western Australia, joined the band as vocalist. The band developed an uncompromising reputation in Australia, pushing forth their aggressive hard rock. 1977 saw the band smash onto the international stage, with the release of their album, Let There Be Rock to great acclaim in both the UK and USA. Following the release of their most successful album to that date, Highway to Hell, Bon Scott died in early 1980 after a heavy night of drinking. The band and their fans were shattered, but perservered and stepped forward with Brian Johnson as their new vocalist with the release of Back in Black. The band continues forth to this day, about to release a new album entitled Black Ice.
AC/DC: Highway to Hell
Divinyls
Formed in 1980 in Sydney, Australia; Divinyls was the brainchild of Chrissie Amphlett and Mark McEntee. The band became internationally known when they released a self-titled album in 1991 called diVINYLS - and the single that pushed them to the world stage was called I Touch Myself. Despite line-up changes and extended periods of not recording or performing; the band reformed in 2006 and continue touring Australia.
Divinyls: Pleasure and Pain
INXS
Originally beginning under the name of the Farriss Brothers in Sydney during 1977, INXS eventually took on the band-name that would take them to international fame and released their first self-titled album in 1980, which featured their first Aussie hit, Just Keep Walking. Four years later, the band's single Original Sin from the album The Swing would open the door to worldwide recognition, but their breakthrough release was the album Listen Like Thieves that truly put them on the international stage. INXS, as a band, came to a stop in 1997 when singer Michael Hutchence was found dead in a hotel room. The band did some performances, with a variety of famous singers following Hutchence's passing, but it would be 8 years before the band would decide to take on new singer J.D. Fortune and record new music. INXS are currently working on a new album.
INXS: Original Sin
Billy Thorpe
While hard rock fans often point to artists like AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, and Cold Chisel, it was really Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs that helped shape their eventual sounds - they were one of the first hard rock Aussie bands, forming in 1963, and quickly becoming known as one of the loudest Aussie bands ever. Thorpe would eventually experience some international recognition with the song, Most People I Know, the release of which was followed by the band's famous appearance at the Sunbury 1972 festival. He continued playing music up until the day he died, in 2007, when he suffered a heart attack. As a solo artist, and as part of The Aztecs, Thorpe had etched an incredibly important chapter into the history of Aussie Rock.
Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs: Most People I Know
Rose Tattoo
Rose Tattoo are arguably one of Australia's aggressive rock bands. Cited as a huge influence by bands such as Guns 'N Roses, Skid Row, and LA Guns; Rose Tattoo were fronted by Angry Anderson and were formed in 1976. The band broke out of Australia on a European tour in 1981 and an American tour in 1982. Rose Tattoo went on hiatus after 1986, but reformed in 1992 to perform live as part of the Guns 'N Roses Australian Tour. Though some of the original band members have since passed away, the band continue touring across Australia, notably playing with international acts that have cited them as big influences.
Rose Tattoo: Nice Boys
Australian Crawl
Formed by musician James Reyne in 1978, Australian Crawl would eventually become the band that would represent the '80's Aussie surfing culture. The band would enjoy a majority of their success down under, though songs such as Reckless did receive some international attention. Australian Crawl disbanded in 1986, and lead singer James Reyne moved forward with a successful solo career, and still occassionally performs across the country.
Australian Crawl: Reckless
Silverchair
Silverchair began in Newcastle in 1992 (originally under the name of Innocent Criminals) and formed by Daniel Johns, Chris Joannou, and Ben Gillies. Success in Australia came very quickly to Silverchair, when Triple J FM recorded the band's first single as part of a contest they won in 1994. At the time, the band members were 14 years old. The local success continued when they released their debut album, Frogstomp, quickly becoming a number 1 smash in both Australia and New Zealand. The album was picked up by American distributors and Silverchair hit the Billboard Top 10 - being the first Aussie band to do so since INXS. Over 14 years since their debut, Silverchair continue recording and touring across the world.
Silverchair: Ana's Song
Cold Chisel
Cold Chisel were long regarded as a volatile and aggressive act in Australia, and their contributions to the music scene during the 1970's and 1980's have most certainly become anthemic cultural staples in Australia. Songs such as Khe Sanh are regarded as classics. Fronted by Jimmy Barnes (who would move on later to enjoy a very successful solo career), Chisel would never climb the heights of AC/DC or INXS internationally; but they enjoyed some success in the US when they toured with Cheap Trick and Ted Nugent. The band would break up in 1983, after which each member would pursue solo careers or new band projects. Since then however, the band have taken on two reunions (one in 1998, and then another in 2005), and there always remains the possibility that further reunion tours across Australia would occur.
Cold Chisel: Khe Sanh
Yothu Yindi
Lead by singer and songwriter Mandawuy Yunupingu, Yothu Yindu were one of many great Aboriginal rock bands from Australia - though they were probably the first to experience and enjoy some success on the world stage. Known for their incorporation of traditional Aboriginal cultural music into their rock sound, Yothu Yindi experienced outstanding success in Australia with their album Tribal Voice, but it was the single from the same album, Treaty, that would get them noticed overseas. The band were known for bringing key issues affecting Australian Aboriginals to the forefront of national awareness.
Yothu Yindi: Treaty (Remix)
The Easybeats
One of the first bands to experience international fame from Australia were the Easybeats. Clearly taking their inspiration from The Beatles and other bands of the era, they were formed in 1964 by vocalist Stevie Wright and guitarist George Young (older brother of Angus and Malcom who would move on to create AC/DC). The band began their rise to success with a string of hits in Australia, but it was their 1966 hit, Friday on my Mind that would catapult them to international stardom. The song is remembered to this day as a classic. The Easybeats broke up in 1969, and George Young continued working as a respected songwriter. Stevie Wright, on the other hand, later experienced many dark days - as in the 1970's and 1980's, he fell into an era of long-standing drug abuse.
AC/DC
Divinyls
INXS
Billy Thorpe
Rose Tattoo
Australian Crawl
Silverchair
Cold Chisel
Yothu Yindi
The Easybeats
