10 MORE 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.
Recently, WallabyDown.com took a look at ten such bands that have brought the noise to other nations... the list is by no means complete - there are many Aussie bands who enjoyed great success both within the country and overseas.
So, we decided to dive back in, and bring you another 10 Aussie bands that brought the music from down under to the rest of the world
Men at Work
Men at Work not only brought their music to the world stage, but they brought the Australian cultural identity along for the ride. Best known for their song, Land Down Under, Men At Work successfully introduced Vegemite to the rest of the world. The band first hit international success with the song, Who Can It Be Now?, which hit #1 in the USA. Down Under was the follow-up single that propelled them to recognition beyond the band members' expectations. Lead vocalist Colin Hay continues his work in a solo career, and currently lives in Montana
Men At Work: Down Under
Birthday Party
While The Birthday Party were not strictly "chart-toppers" in the sense of pop culture, they were (just as importantly, if not more so) a definining and consolidating influence on the evolution of punk, gothic subculture, and alternative music. A dark force onstage, The Birthday Party had their beginnings in Melbourne, Australia - though eventually they moved to London where vocalist Nick Cave came into his own and made quite an impression on the band's (then developing) unique and powerful fanbase. Nick Cave would eventually launch from the ashes of Birthday Party, and into his own work in Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds...
Birthday Party: Nick the Stripper
Wolfmother
While their success has been relatively recent in Aussie music history, there can be no denying that Wolfmother's popularity is continuing to help bring Aussie rock to the world stage. The band's distinct sound is evocative of hard rock from the '60's and '70's - clearly influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Deep Purple. They first got noticed by Aussie rock fans in 2005 when they released their debut self-titled album. From that point, it was inevitable that international recognition was forthcoming, with songs like Woman being eaten up by global rock fans who were, by this stage, sick and tired of the misguided emo movement.
Wolfmother: Woman
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil not only had an impact on people at the international level - they were a key influence on Australian culture itself. Fronted by activist (and now politician) Peter Garrett, the band had their early origins in the 1970's; but became very successful in the late 1980's and beyond. With the ferocious and uncompromising stand on national and international affairs - be they political or environmental; in the journey of their music they helped bring awareness important to Aussies. Perhaps their most well-known example of this is their 1987 song Beds are Burning from the album Diesel and Dust. The song (and the album) focuses on the struggles faced to this day by Australian Aborigines. Midnight Oil will be reuniting for a concert to benefit victims of the recent and tragic bushfires in Victoria.
Midnight Oil: Beds Are Burning
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
While the Birthday Party, as mentioned above, had a clear influence on alternative music; it was in his solo efforts that vocalist Nick Cave would find probably his most defining role as an influential Australian musician, artist, songwriter, and performer. Following the demise of Birthday Party, Cave moved forth with a new band called Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. Their initial efforts continued to consolidate the huge influence Nick Cave was having on the alternative circuit internationally, though it would take several years before he would receive much deserved praise from the Australian mainstream music scene. By 1996, with the release of the album Murder Ballads, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds would be the recipients of three ARIA awards, including Song of the Year for the duet with Kylie Minogue, Where the Wild Roses Grow
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with Kylie Minogue: Where the Wild Roses Grow
Little River Band
Perhaps one Australian band that has had probably the longest lasting success around the world was Little River Band. Formed in the mid-seventies, LRB have had over a dozen top 40 hits in the United States, and have sold over 25 million albums internationally. While the band has had numerous line-ups through the years, the most consistent line-ups were those fronted by Glenn Shorrock (although John Farnham enjoyed some success with the band during his very short tenure as lead vocalist). Their first Billboard top 10 song in the US was Reminiscing. LRB continue to perform onstage and are currently fronted by lead vocalist Wayne Nelson.
Little River Band: Reminiscing
John Farnham
As mentioned above, John Farnham enjoyed a short membership in the Little River Band, notable for the song Playing to Win. Prior to this, Farnham was well known in Australia, where he began a solo singing career during the 1960's. However during the early to mid 1980's, his fame had faded. In 1986, that would change, with the release of the mega-hit Whispering Jack. With his musical career resurrected with songs such as Take the Pressure Down and You're The Voice; and strong follow-up albums like The Age of Reason, Farnham's influence in the Aussie music industy was cemented in history. From his teen pop idol days in the 1960's to his later years following The Age of Reason, Farnham is arguably the most successful solo artist in Australian music history.
John Farnham: You're The Voice
Jet
Like Wolfmother, Jet are also a more recent addition to Aussie music history - and are a band that have had some significant international success. Also based from hard rock roots, Jet had their beginnings in Melbourne, Australia. They released their debut album, Get Born in 2003, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. Jet were already accomplishing much locally at that time, that even in the middle of recording their debut, they were offered the opening slot for the Rolling Stones on their Australian tour!
Jet: Are You Gonna Be My Girl
Radio Birdman
While Radio Birdman never had massive hits internationally, their sheer presence as a band was an integral and crucial part of the development of the Australian music scene. They were a huge influence on the indie scene that would surface down under during the 1980's. Essentially, Radio Birdman was Australia's first "punk" band - led by Denik Tez and formed in 1974 - but the genre label never really seemed to fit them: Radio Birdman was a completely unique style and sound unto themselves, and were a major influence for many acts that would follow in their footsteps.
Radio Birdman: New Race
Crowded House
With members hailing from both Australia and New Zealand, Crowded House was the next chapter of music for artist Neil Finn, following the end of Split Enz. Rounded out by Nick Seymour and Paul Hester (and later joined by Neil's brother, Tim Finn, also from Split Enz), the band found immediate success within Australia upon the release of their debut album, and massive international recognition shortly thereafter. Crowded House enjoyed success around the world for 20 years, and closed off their musical journey with a farewell concert outside the Sydney Opera House in 1996. Later, Paul Hester sadly passed away in 2005, which eventually led to band members reconnecting. Crowded House reunited in 2006, and continue recording and touring.
Men at Work
Birthday Party
Wolfmother
Midnight Oil
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Little River Band
John Farnham
Jet
Radio Birdman
Crowded House
