BAYNH Special: Australian Bands

Well, actually Australian bands that never got the success they deserved overseas. Australian music is a strange beast, some weird stuff has come out of our island nation over the years, it may have something to do with our isolation and proximity to Asia, but it does make life interesting. Sadly, the bizarre beauty of Australian music doesn't always translate internationally and some brilliant acts never really hit outside of native shores. So this is my little effort for my handful of international readers so that they can hear some great music that they may otherwise never come across. 

TISM (This Is Serious Mum) 

Ok, so the song "Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me" did go viral back in the day, but aside from that blip, TISM have never really had much international fame. That's a shame, because the band's lyrical work is stunning and needs closer scrutiny. I'm a little guilty of not paying them as much attention as I should and I aim to fix that once I'm done here. 

Regurgitator 

Yeah, I chose Polyester Girl, this song ruled my life for a good six months in school. Regurgitator was an odd little band that I'd have to call "College Indy", a little like an Australian, Gen X, REM if that makes any sense; weird lyrics, incomprehensible videos and the kind of craziness that can only come from a University background. Once, the band locked themselves in a bubble in Melbourne for a month and made an album; they deserve your confused respect. 

Radio Birdman

Little known fact, one of the first Punk bands started in Brisbane. Radio Birdman is one of those bands that only beardy music types talk about, the kind with 8 track cartridges who roll their eyes when you don't know who Marc Bolan was. Despite this, Radio Birdman are a fantastic act that have influenced generations of music makers both in Australia and overseas. This song (about Hawaii 5-0) makes great use of traditional rock riffs and the frantic vocals of the infant Punk movement. 

These are just some of my picks for underappreciated Australian acts, if you have one or two you want to throw in the comments, I'd love to hear them. 

Hat Guy - Steve, I wanted to thank you...