Amyl and the Sniffers
Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian pub rock and punk rock band based in Melbourne, Australia, consisting of vocalist Amy Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Dec Martens, and bassist Fergus Romer.[1] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their debut, self-titled record won the Best Rock Album category.
Amyl and the Sniffers | |
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![]() Amyl and the Sniffers performing at The Piece Hall in Halifax, 27 June 2019 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
Genres | |
Years active | 2016–present |
Labels | |
Website | amylandthesniffers |
Members | Amy Taylor Bryce Wilson Dec Mehrtens Gus Romer |
Past members | Calum Newton |
Background
The band was formed by housemates Taylor, Wilson, and Martens and former band member Calum Newton (AKA Candy) in Balaclava, Melbourne. The four wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, in a span of 12 hours.[2] Calum left the band to pursue solo music and was replaced by Fergus Romer. They take their name from the Australian slang for amyl nitrite, also known as poppers.[3] Amy Taylor compared their music to the drug in an interview with Paul Glynn of the BBC: "In Australia we call poppers Amyl. So you sniff it, it lasts for 30 seconds and then you have a headache – and that's what we're like!".[3] Their sound has been compared to 1970s hard rock groups such as Iggy Pop and The Stooges and The Damned.[2] However, Taylor has cited a number of varying influences including Minor Threat, Ceremony, AC/DC, Sleaford Mods, Dolly Parton, and Cardi B.[3]
The band was signed to Homeless Records in July 2017 and Big Attraction/Giddy Up was released on 12 January 2018. Big Attraction/Giddy Up reached #8 on the UK Top 40 (Vinyl Charts) in March 2018. The band was signed to Rough Trade Records later in 2018, and went into the studio to record their debut album with producer and former Add N to (X) drummer Ross Orton.[4] The result was the self-titled Amyl and the Sniffers, which was released on 24 May 2019 and has received generally positive reviews including a 7.2 from Pitchfork[2] and 4 out of 5 stars from NME[5] and Allmusic.[6] In light of the album's release, Happy Mag placed the band at no.9 on their list of "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now", praising front-woman Amy Taylor for being "one of hardest rocking people on the face of the planet."[7]
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Amyl and the Sniffers won the Best Rock Album category.[8][9][10] In February 2020, the self-titled album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize of 2019.[11]
Discography
Albums
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|
AUS [12] |
UK [13] | ||
Amyl and the Sniffers |
|
22 | 91 |
EPs
Title | Details |
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Giddy Up |
|
Big Attraction |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Balaclava Lover Boogie" | 2018 | Big Attractions |
"Cup of Destiny"[14] | Amyl and the Sniffers | |
"Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled)"[15] | ||
"Monsoon Rock"[16] | 2019 | |
"Got You"[17] | ||
"Gacked On Anger"[18] |
References
Specific
- "AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS". Damagedgoods.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- "Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- Smith, Thomas. "Amyl and The Sniffers – 'Amyl and The Sniffers' review". NME. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- "Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now". Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- "ARIA Awards 2019: Tones and I wins big & Human Nature Hall of Fame". MediaWeek. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Amyl & the Sniffers | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- "Cup of Destiny - single". Apple Music. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- "Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled) - single". Apple Music. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- "Monsoon Rock - single". Apple Music. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- https://open.spotify.com/album/7gQ10W3O5qHc9OTaLeAvOa?si=mqdviZsuTJOyGETFpZdEIw
- https://open.spotify.com/album/7pMDEJWbwTZC7nGdbfXtFw?si=frOSKho8QIONvw4Fk72KYg
General
- Trimboli, Isabella (24 May 2019). "Amyl and the Sniffers review – turning pub rock bravado into punk mayhem". Theguardian.com.
- "Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers". Pitchfork.com.
- Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.com.
- "Daily Dose: Amyl and The Sniffers, "Gacked on Anger"". Pastemagazine.com.
- "'Mon the Sniff: Amyl and the Sniffers". Diymag.com.
- Dwyer, Michael (23 May 2019). "Here's trouble! Amyl and the Sniffers spray it like it is". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". Theguardian.com.
- Desk, BWW News. "Amyl and The Sniffers Critically Acclaimed Debut S/T Album Out Today". BroadwayWorld.com.
- Smith, Thomas. "Amyl and The Sniffers – 'Amyl and The Sniffers' review". NME.
- Skinner, Tom (6 March 2019). "Amyl and the Sniffers announce debut album with feral first single, 'Monsoon Rock'". NME.
- Bassett, Jordan (26 September 2018). "Aussie punks Amyl and the Sniffers – almost literally – tore apart London's beloved Moth Club last night". NME.
- "Amyl and the Sniffers 'Giddy Up' & 'Big Attraction' Compilation LP reissue".