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Australian

Starforge

The story of Starforge began in the year 2007 when Andy Suppradit decided it was time to unleash his own brand of melodic death metal upon the Australian metal scene. Inspired by the sounds of the Scandinavian scene and elements from Thrash, Death, Black and Power metal, Andy spent 2008 composing what would be Starforge's first demo 'Infinite'. Before the songs had been written, Josh Mcmaster was chosen to be the vocalist. This was a natural choice as Josh and Andy have been working together musically since 2004 through many projects including grindcore band Mutant On A Forklift.

Peabody

The Australian Peabody is documented below with the American Peabody following. Starting in the mid-90s fresh out of high school, Sydney, Australia three-piece Peabody chose the road less traveled by mixing smart suits, Rickenbacker guitars, classic pop melodies and good old Australian pub sweat. The band recorded and self-released two EPs and also delivered literally hundreds of live shows before recording their debut album for Nonzero Records. Following the success of that album, Professional Againster, Peabody impressed again with the release of their second album, The New Violence.

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Front End Loader

Based in Sydney, Australia, Front End Loader are self-described as "Australia's least popular, relatively well known band". Formed in 1991 FEL have always been a difficult band to categorize. Undeniably a hard rock band, they have avoided the traditional tattoos and hair of hard rock and as musicians, they tend closer to cock or math rock without the earnestness. Front End Loader have been supported by the likes of Regurgitator, The Superjesus and Shihad plus many others. They have a reputation for ferocious live performances and not holding their collective tongue.

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Ash Grunwald

Ash Grunwald is an Australian blues musician.

While it’s true that his music is steeped in the Delta blues tradition of the legendary acoustic musicians who proliferated in pre-World War II America’s deep South and the giants of electric blues who shaped rock and roll, it’s the young Victorian’s willingness to combine these influences with grooves and sounds common in contemporary music that sets him apart.

A soulful singer and guitar player, Grunwald immediately drew attention with the release of 2002’s ‘Introducing … Ash Grunwald’ a collection of originals and blues standards that included ‘Smokestack Lightnin’ (Howlin’ Wolf) ‘The Sky Is Crying’ (Elmore James), and ‘Rolling and Tumbling’ (Robert Johnson) recorded live with only acoustic guitar and foot percussion consisting of a stomp box and tambourine.

The positive response to Grunwald’s debut resulted in two Victorian Blues awards for Emerging Talent and Album of the Year.

The following year he scored two Australian Blues awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Best New Talent in addition to the MBAS’ Blues Performer of the Year. He also reached the final of the International Blues Performer of the Year in Memphis.

In 2004 Grunwald released his follow up album, I Don’t Believe, once again recorded solo and live.

Since his initial release he’d been made aware of two Tom Waits albums, Swordfishtrombones and Bone Machine. In a daring move he emulated Waits’ experimental bang and clang percussion using hammers, spanners, pots, etc, in addition to a boss loop station as a bed for his lap steel, dobro, and acoustic guitars.

The album included six originals, two of Waits’ compositions, "Going out West" and "Jesus Gonna Be Here" (a-cappella with handclaps) and blues standards "Walking Blues" and "Cross Roads" (Robert Johnson), "Empire State" (Son House), and "How Many More Years" (Howlin’ Wolf).

On the strength of this release Ash won an ARIA award nomination for Best Blues And Roots Album, and the Victorian Blues award for Male Vocalist Of The Year (equal with Lloyd Spiegel) and in 2005 the MBAS Vic / Tas award for Solo / Duo Of The Year (equal with Dave Hogan).

For the ‘Live At The Corner’ album (songs from his first two releases plus Willie Dixon’s ‘Spoonful’ featuring Ian Collard on harmonica) Ash won the 2005 MBAS Vic / Tas and Australian Blues award’s Album Of The Year in addition to being nominated once again for the Best Blues And Roots album at the ARIA’s.

Ash has built a substantial following performing at countless live venues around the country and at major festivals including Byron Bay, Port Fairy, Falls, Apollo Bay, Fremantle, Cockatoo Island and Margaret River.

In May 2005, Ash was invited to take over the reins as host of Triple J’s popular Thursday night show Roots ‘N All.

Ash Grunwald continues to forge his own identity with the release of twelve original songs on album number four, ‘Give Signs’ recorded on his own label Delta Groove Records. As usual it will be live and solo. And as usual, it is another terrific offering from this talented performer.
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The Cruel Sea

The Cruel Sea is a multi-ARIA Award winning 90s Australian rock/blues outfit. Originally an instrumental band focused on surf sounds, the addition of vocalist Tex Perkins (also a member of The Beasts Of Bourbon and a solo artist) proved an inspired decision. Combining the charismatic Perkins with the highly talented musicians created an unstoppable force through much of the 90s. Members of the band continue to perform, though with the exception of Perkins, most activity is fairly low key.

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Old Man River

Old Man River is one of Australia’s most unique artists. An incredible, inspiring artist who’s live show - a mix of western and eastern infuences - includes a blend of sitars, guitars and grooving rhythms. In 2008 Old Man River toured his show to India, Japan, Italy, Germany, Israel, UK and the US - as well as sharing stages in Australia with THE VIOLENT FEMMES, IRON AND WINE, JOSH PYKE, THE SLEEPY JACKSON, DAMIEN RICE AND NEWTON FAULKNER.

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Romeros

Jack Perry-Brown faked his death in 1980 under his stage name ‘John Bonham’, travelled to Australia and 28 years later joined Matt and Dougy’s quest in search of the sacred ‘jade monkey’, failing this, they recruited Maddii Corey and made a shitty Indie/Noise band.

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