Australia’s Top 25 Bands/Artists 2006
And here we go, the second annual Australia’s Top 25 Bands & Artists list. Last year Augie March won…will they hold on to number 1 this year? 2006 saw 179 (!!!) bands nominated from 28 lists by 28 Australian music fans…it was a bit insane actually. It was a LOT more competetive this year and no band in the top 25 appeared on fewer than five lists. Points were awarded to each band as follows: a first place vote receieved 25 points, a second place vote received 24 points… and so on. In addition, each band was awarded 3 points for each list they appeared on in order to reward bands that appeared on more people’s lists.
This year many MANY Australian music bloggers sent in lists, along with some DJ’s at FBi and some friends who go see tons of shows. So thank you to ALL OF YOU, especially for your comments (some of which appear in the list): Dave and Levins at FBi, Amanda Mocking Bird, Mike Monachilada, Dan Boudist, Dave Sympathetic Stupid, Jerry Who The Hell, Wayne Oceans, Hutch, Marc, and Chucky SClubbers, Peter Open Eyes, Pix and Chris Whiteboy, Stove Reverb, Angus 12 Major Chords, Jonny Cardigan, Matt Fortune Grey/FBi, Geoff Get Big, Sean 100 Scenes, as well as Lucy, Adam, Beefy, Subby, Warandie, Mintie and the other ateasers. Now, to the list!
25: Howling Bells
“I always did had a soft spot for Waikiki, and this is even better.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
24. Wolf & Cub
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 25
23. My Disco
“The album doesn’t capture how intense they are live.”
Download: Perfect Protection
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
22. Art of Fighting
“Over their EPs and albums they’ve developed the ability to make beautiful explosions – the first time I heard Two Rivers self combust I almost cried.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 18
21. Sarah Blasko
“Her new one is simply stunning. So dark and sweet.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 19
20. Gerling
“The bestest and funnest live band around.”
“It amazes me that these guys aren’t massive worldwide, but at the same time it’s good to know they’re our best kept secret.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 11
19. The Presets
“This duo was never worthy of a midday slot at the Big Day Out, I would have them headlining over Mylo. Pfft Mylo can drop the pressure all he wants, The Presets will just bring it back to boiling point.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 13
18. Expatriate
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 10
17. The Paper Scissors
“We. don’t. walk. WOOOOOAAAAAAoooaAAAooooooH.”
Download: We Don’t Walk
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
16. Belles Will Ring
“How on earth can such a horrible café scene like the Blue Mountains create an environment where such a flower like this can spring?”
Download: Mad Love and Nightflower
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
15. Red Riders
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
14. Midnight Juggernauts
“They’ve been responsible for some of the most killer dance floor stompers both of their doing and remixing the work of others.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
13. Young and Restless
“They have a raw energy which is solely their own.”
Download: Satan
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
12. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
“Same reason as last year – he’s NICK FUCKING CAVE!”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 4
11. Dirty Three
“What’s to be said? Impressionistic, visceral, amusing, melancholy, and other superlatives.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 6
10. The Sleepy Jackson
“Lovers is one of the best Australian albums in recent times.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
9. Gotye
“Inspiration for truly independent artists everywhere.”
Download: Learnalilgivinanlovin
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
8. Snowman
“Hard to classify: zombie/surfie/western rock? Original.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
7. Bluebottle Kiss
“Doubt Seeds was a colossal achievement.”
Download: Running Into Doors
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 3
6. Architecture In Helsinki
“Quirky and hooky.
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 8
5. The Crayon Fields
“Kinda dreamy.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: n/a
4. The Grates
“Pop brilliance.”
“Fun epitomized.”
Download: Sukkafish
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 12
3. Augie March
“Considered, articulate and often extremely moving.”
“An incredible band, and one that you can proudly show to the naysayers when they complain about a lack of talented musicians in this country.”
“Poetry put to music.”
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 1
2. The Drones
“The brightest hope in the australian music scene and they have one of the most kick arse live shows around.”
“The hardest working band in Australia.”
“Maybe the only truly world-class act in Australia.”
“Jezebel. My God.”
Download: I Don’t Ever Want to Change and This Time (live)
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 20
“The most exciting band in the country and always entertaining live.”
“The most creative and exciting band going round in Australia at the moment.”
“Always fun, catchy, inventive, and melodic.”
Download: Within Hours
MySpace :: Hype Machine :: Last FM
2005 position: 2
Til next year!
November 12th, 2006 10:22
Nice work Sean!
November 12th, 2006 10:32
That’s one pretty fine list. It’s good to see Dappled came in first cause after hearing their latest album I regretted putting them only at #3 (I should have known). I’m glad somebody bothered to do this. Thanks Sean!
November 12th, 2006 10:58
No problem guys.
I was surprised at how high The Crayon Fields and Showman ended up.
November 12th, 2006 11:37
agree with geoff, would have taken alot of work, glad to see DCF number one, i was pleased for crayon fields to place so highly, was surprised to see no wolfmother, not that i’m complaining about that. thought redsunband might have showed up, guess they have been quiet of late
November 12th, 2006 12:06
of the nearly 30 lists i received, wolfmother appeared on just 1.
November 12th, 2006 12:09
Oh yeah, and I was happy to see Young and Restless so high.
November 12th, 2006 14:07
Did my list not make the cut? Ahhh now I know how Wolfmother feels!
November 12th, 2006 15:16
[...] Sean from a-reminder.org has compiled his second annual top 25 Australian bands list – a dream, undoubtedly, for any music geek raised on High Fidelity and/or the Commitments. 12 months ago I followed his first list with a blog comment about notable omissions, so this year I got a vote. It’s harder than it looks. Try and come up with your favourite (still operational in some sense) bands from this country – post them below – the first 10’s easy, then it gets tougher and tougher. [...]
November 12th, 2006 16:53
That one vote for Wolfmother must’ve been me. How quickly tastes move on after a little success…
But there’s some good bands on the list. Well done to Dappled.
November 12th, 2006 18:04
Marc…sorry! I forgot to add your name. Your list was counted don’t worry!
And I agree Dan, it’s a pretty good list. A nice mix of old and new….although it is still all rock/indie. The Herd were the highest hip hop act and didn’t miss the list by all that much.
November 12th, 2006 18:37
No worries Sean!
November 12th, 2006 20:35
well done crayons, restless and DCF!
as for the herd, theyre the only oz hop i can lsten to without a condescending smirk. epic live show too.
work seany
November 12th, 2006 21:24
A top five I’d probably agree with for the most part.
I’m kind of interested by the fact AIH have improved their rankings. Any particular reason for a rise this year?
November 12th, 2006 21:48
im not unhappy the list doesn’t solely reflect the bands i wanted.
but i mean guys… no Van She?… im stunned.
did u all forget or something?
November 12th, 2006 22:03
You had Van She as number 1 right Pix? I know someone did.
Oz: not sure why AiH rose this year. They did just release that remix LP but I doubt that accounts for the rise.
What I find kinda funny is that DCF won before any/most of us had heard the album…thank god it’s great.
November 12th, 2006 23:10
hey sean, sorry i thought it was the worst 25 morning tv presenters, so no wonder “koche” made no sense.
Well done on the list though. DCF deserved winners.
My list (in my head) had Young & Restless and The Motifs at the top, so it was way too inconsistent to make any sense anyway!
November 13th, 2006 08:59
good work Sean
i thought my disco were from NZ .. ? damn.. otherwise they would have made my list and finished a little bit higher.. oh well. bigs to dcf .. much deserved
November 13th, 2006 14:41
What a great list. Will have to set a reminder to get my picks in for next year.
November 13th, 2006 16:21
I could not think of 2 better bands at 1 or 2.
I have seen The Drones 3 times this year and every performance blows me away. Gareth Liddiard is an unlikely genius with his flannel shirt and unruly stubble. Also Gala Mill was such a strong follow up to Wait Long By The River. In fact, I think I like their new album better
November 13th, 2006 16:27
lol yeh i did have van she at one, i thought surely their sublime efforts as van she tech would have kept them recent enuf for a spot at the least. still diversity is why i love this game!
and what happened to icehouse sandwich clubbers hahahaha????
ya used me skinner ya ussssed me!!!
November 13th, 2006 18:17
Nice list. Glad to see DCF take it out. Makes me feel somewhat proud we have great bands in Australia. Maybe should have bought tickets to Homebake :\
November 14th, 2006 08:51
hey dan, not sure about the other voters, but i’m just not into wolfmother, never was. i hoped to see pivot/triosk, saddleback or sun in there somewhere though.
the lack of aust hip hop reflects the voting panel rather than quality of groups. i voted for mnemonic ascent, koolism, curse ov dialect and the herd.
still, cool to see dappled, crayon fields and aih so high.
November 14th, 2006 13:22
great list, DCF deserve the top spot.
i’m really curious to see how the rest of it filled out though…
November 14th, 2006 16:51
I agree on the Van She Tech stuff, Pix. The Around The World remix is ace
November 14th, 2006 22:34
Good work Sean. I’ve only heard of 10 of these bands. I’ll have to watch out for some of bands I haven’t heard of if they make it to NYC.
What, no Jet? Kidding…
November 16th, 2006 10:38
Dang, if you’d done this a few weeks later Art of Fighting woulda been way higher in my list. I think I love Eastbound.
And I’m very disappointed that Sodastream missed out, since they released close to the best album of the year.
In fact, can I maybe detect a touch of Sydney bias in the list?
November 16th, 2006 15:48
Well it’s tough Dave. There seem to be far more Sydney music blogs than any other city. I don’t know any from Perth, Adelaide, or Brisbane. That said I did have some people from Brisbane and Perth helping out with lists. The Top 10 is actually half Melbourne but a lot of the rest is Sydney heavy I guess. Couldn’t be helped. But it is something I am aware of and wish I could change.
November 16th, 2006 19:44
[...] Now that the Top 25 has been kicking around for a few days now I figured I’d post some thoughts as well as the bands that just missed the cut. [...]
November 16th, 2006 21:11
hello there. great work on the top 25, which is an epic achievement. i caught you on FBi tonight. nice accent, too.
November 17th, 2006 09:08
Sean, yeah, I agree that there’s something of a lack of Melbourne mp3 blogs compared to up there. One you should definitely include (for next time) is http://www.melbs.org/ – these guys are great and while they update pretty infrequently, they tend to be on the pulse.
http://www.iamfauxpas.com/blog/ is the man behind Faux Pas and he’s definitely based in Melbourne, though with less of a Melbourne focus.
But that’s about all I got for Melbourne music blogs, unfortunately.
November 28th, 2006 22:07
Nice list Sean. I’m checking out Dapples Cities Fly this Friday. Should be awesome. Glad to see Goyte making the top 10. Wolf and Cub are great live too.
December 2nd, 2006 11:24
[...] Went to see Australian’s best band of 2006 last night at the great Spanish Club. They’ve been getting mentioned all over the blogosphere lately so I thought I’d see what all the fuss is about. A quick summary, they are actually pretty decent, giving off a vibe that resembles US band The Shins. The girls in the crowd certainly got into it jumping on stage and singing along with the band. Posted on Saturday December 2, 2006 in: Photography No Comments [...]
January 6th, 2007 13:00
[...] I’ve been meaning to post this for ages now, but Nothing But Green Lights recently put up the Top 47 British Acts of 2006. Once again an interesting list with a bunch of bands I need to check out. Canada’s version. America’s version. Australia’s version. [...]
May 20th, 2008 21:14
Just wondering if you’ve posted a more recent list for like 2007 & 2008?
May 20th, 2008 22:20
Yep…the 2007 one was done last year. 2008 will be happening later on this year. Just check out the tag:
http://www.a-reminder.org/music/?cat=16
June 20th, 2008 01:53
What about The Waifs? I love ‘em!
September 28th, 2008 12:03
Good list, except your missin a few
INXS
Missy Higgins
Xavier Rudd
and this one is just shameful that you forgot…JOHN BUTLER TRIO
October 6th, 2009 02:46
hey thats a pretty good list. i dont think theres one bad band in that list
October 30th, 2009 13:58
never heard of these bands before but i just checked out bluebottle kiss and i’m liking em so far. thanks for listing em.
January 2nd, 2010 22:12
the beautiful girls
May 31st, 2010 19:55
What about The Living End?