Insurge

Last updated

Insurge
These are 8 members of iNsuRge that toured with the band for the longest periods.jpg
The above image shows 8 members of iNsuRge that played with the band for the longest periods. From Left to Right: Paul Bianco (percussion), Matt Richmond (drums), Mattieu Macroth (bass), Monique Wakelin (sampler, vocals), Chris Dubrow (guitar, vocals), Darryl Sims (drums), Sean Burnett (percussion), Mark Avery (bass).
Background information
Origin Sydney, Australia
Genres Industrial rock, alternative rock
Years active19942000, 2009 [1]
Labels Pesticide Records
Warner
Chatterbox Records
MembersChris Dubrow
Mark Avery
Sean Burnett
Daryl Sims
Past membersPaul Bianco
Mattieu Macroth
Monique Wakelin (deceased)
Matt Richmond
Adam Logan
Miguel Valenzuela
Jan Sebastian
Websitewww.myspace.com/insurgetheband

Insurge, commonly typeset iNsuRge, were an Australian political industrial rock band founded in 1994 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Chris Dubrow (ex-Soulscraper). Other founders were Mattieu MacRoth on bass guitar, Matt Richmond on drums, Paul Bianco on found Percussion and Monique Wakelin on keyboards. [2] Their debut album Power to the Poison People was released in August 1996, which reached No.16 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Contents

Career

1994–1995: Early years and EPs

The band's first release was the extended play I.M.F released in 1994 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the International Monetary Fund. The song argued the I.M.F. based on its harsh economic measures were having a detrimental effect on the developing world. [3] Initially a demo, I.M.F attracted the attention of prominent Australian music manager John Woodruff (The Angels, Icehouse, Baby Animals, Savage Garden) who helped pull together a distribution deal through EastWest records (Warner Music Australia). The original line up was then solidified with Monique Wakelin playing sampler, Mattieu McRoth on bass, Matt Richmond on electronic and acoustic Drums, and Paul Bianco on found Percussion joining Dubrow's guitar and vocals. [4]

Just prior to the release of the band's second EP there was a shift in the line-up with original percussionist Paul Bianco leaving the band to be replaced by Miguel Valenzuela (who recorded much of the album 'Power to the Poison People') and later Adam Logan.

The band's second release was the EP Political Prisoners in 1995. Insurge worked with producer Kalju Tonuma, ( The Mavis's, 28 Days, Bodyjar, Killing Joke). The title track became the band's breakthrough song, gaining considerable airplay from alternative radio across Australia and New Zealand. The lyrics discussed the inadequacy of modern criminal law, and the idea that most prisoners in western society were political prisoners because the concept of private property was an invention to protect the wealthy. [5] The song went to No. 25 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1995.

1996–1998: "Speculator" and Power to the Poison People

In March 1996, the band released the single "Speculator", which was lyrically based on the anti-democratic power of global currency speculation. [6] The track reached No. 57 on the ARIA singles chart, [7] No. 7 on the 4ZZZ Hot 100 chart and No. 69 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996. The band's debut album Power to the Poison People was released in August 1996, and reached No. 16 on the ARIA albums chart. [7] The singles "Soul 4 Sale", "Time Bomb' and "AK 47" followed.

The band toured constantly across Australia (and once to New Zealand) including tours with Pop Will Eat Itself and White Zombie, and participated in many festivals such as Alternative Nation Festival (1995), the Livid Festival (5 Oct 1996 – the same night Insurge programmed ABC TV's 'rage'), [8] and the Big Day Out (1996, 1997).

In 1998, singer Chris Dubrow went to London to record tracks with Ian Richardson and Nick Coler (known for their work with The KLF). Dubrow also became involved with the Reclaim the Streets movement in both London and Sydney. Over this period the line-up changed again, Mark 'Milli' Avery became the bass player and Daryl Sims (formerly Indecent Obsession) was on drums, and Sean Burnett became the percussionist. This was the line up that recorded the Globalization album.

1999-2000: Globalization and break up

In 1999, the band released "I Hate Stupid People" which achieved national airplay on Triple J, this was followed by the album Globalisation, produced by Kalju Tonuma. The single "Feast or Famine" followed. Insurge announced their break-up in 2000 at their final show at the Newtown Festival, Sydney.

2009-present: brief reunion and dissolution

In 2009, Insurge announced their reformation, albeit for a one-off reunion on December 18, 2009, before being inactive again. [9]

Keyboardist and co-founding member Monique Wakelin died in 2018. [10] [11]

Musical style and themes

Insurge combined samplers and audio loops with layers of acoustic and electronic drums and found percussion (such as old kitchen sinks and other scrap metal) mixed with punk/hard rock influenced guitars. The sound was influenced by alternative, industrial, goth, punk, EDM and Australian pub rock.

The band was known for its outspoken political views which were particularly focused on global issues such as injustice in the developing world, the political influence of corporations and financial markets, and global environmental issues such as climate change. The band's politics were influenced by anarchism, environmentalism, anarcho-punk, political economy, and the anti-globalization movement. [12] The band expressed their political views through their lyrics, interviews and live appearances. [13] [14] Their first album's liner notes contains paragraphs of commentary on various political issues, as well as a list of books and websites favored by the band.

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[7]
Power to the Poison People
  • Released: September 1996
  • Label: EastWest, Warner (0630156192)
  • Format: CD
16
Globalization
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: Chatterbox (CB011)
  • Format: CD

EPs

TitleDetails
I.M.F.
  • Released: 1994
  • Label: Pesticide (4509969832)
  • Format: CD
Political Prisoners
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Pesticide (0630-11445-2)
  • Format: CD

Singles

TitleYearChart peak positionsAlbum
AUS
[7]
"I.M.F. (Remixes)"1994I.M.F
"Political Prisoners"1995Political Prisoners
"Speculator"199657Power to the Poison People
"Soul 4 Sale"
"Time Bomb"
"AK-47"1997
"I Hate Stupid People"1999102Globalization
"Feast or Famine"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frenzal Rhomb</span> Australian punk rock band

Frenzal Rhomb are an Australian punk rock band that formed in 1992 in Sydney. Three of the group's albums have entered the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart: A Man's Not a Camel (1999), Hi-Vis High Tea (2017) and Smoko at the Pet Food Factory (2011). Hi-Vis High Tea reached 9th position in the charts. The group has supported Australian tours by The Offspring, Bad Religion, NOFX, and Blink-182. Frenzal Rhomb have also toured in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Israel and Taiwan. The band has undergone several line-up changes, with lead vocalist Jason Whalley serving as the band's sole constant member.

28 Days are an Australian punk rock band, which formed in 1997, by mainstay members Jay Dunne as lead vocalist, guitarist Simon Hepburn, and bassist Damian Gardiner. Their second studio album Upstyledown, peaked at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their singles, "Rip It Up", "Say What?" and "What's the Deal?", all reached the associated ARIA Singles Chart top 40. After declining popularity following their 2004 album, Extremist Makeover, the band released a greatest hits album 10 Years of Cheap Fame before separating later that year. They reformed in 2009 to support long time friends Bodyjar on their End is Now Tour. 28 Days have released no new material since "Unmarked Graves". Their drummer, Scott Murray, died after being struck by a car in November 2001, aged 22.

The Sharp were a Melbourne three-piece pop, rockabilly band which formed in 1991 with Allan Catlin on double bass and lead vocals, Piet Collins on drums and Charlie Rooke on guitar and lead vocals. They issued two studio albums, This Is the Sharp (1993) and Sonic Tripod (1994). Their highest-charting single, "Alone Like Me" (1994), reached the ARIA Singles Chart top 20. They disbanded in October 1995.

Deadstar were an Australian pop rock band formed in August 1995 by Peter Jones on drums and percussion; Caroline Kennedy on lead vocals and guitar; and Barry Palmer on guitar and bass guitar. They released three studio albums, deadstar, Milk and Somewhere Over the Radio. Two singles reached the top 100 on the ARIA Singles Chart, "Run Baby Run" and "Deeper Water", both in 1999. The group were nominated for three ARIA Music Awards. The group disbanded in 2001.

The Hot Lies were an alternative rock band based in Australia. The band formed in Adelaide, in early 2004. Their line-up consisted of lead vocalist Pete Wood, rhythm guitarist Benjamin Pix, drummer Jared Brown, lead guitarist Luke Szabo and former I Killed the Prom Queen bassist Leaton Rose. The Hot Lies released two EPs and a full-length album, Ringing in the Sane, which reached the top 40 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullet (Superheist song)</span> 2001 single by Superheist

"Bullet" is the second single from the debut album The Prize Recruit, by Australian nu metal group Superheist. It is a reworked version of "Bullet for You", a B-side from the previous single "Crank the System". It exceeds the original in quality and bombast. "Bullet" which was co-written by band members, Richard William "DW" Norton, Roderick "Burger" McLeod, and Fetah Sabawi. climbed to No. 45 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The album and single were produced by Kalju Tonuma

<i>The Prize Recruit</i> 2001 studio album by Superheist

The Prize Recruit is the debut full-length album from Australian nu metal band Superheist. It was recorded at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne by Superheist and producer Kalju Tonuma and released on 15 April 2001. It peaked at No. 12 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2001, Tonuma was nominated for Producer of the Year and Engineer of the Year for the album.

<i>Heart Attacks and Callous Acts</i> 2005 EP by The Hot Lies

Heart Attacks and Callous Acts is the second release by Australian band The Hot Lies. The two radio play singles and video clips of this release are 'Promise Me' and 'Tell Me Goodnight'. It was recorded, mixed and produced by Kalju Tonuma.

<i>Upstyledown</i> 2000 studio album by 28 Days

Upstyledown is the second studio album by Australian punk band 28 Days produced by Kalju Tonuma. It was released in July 2000 and debuted at No. 1 on the Australian ARIA Charts and was certified platinum.

Soulscraper were an Australian alternative electronic-rock band based in Melbourne. The band formed circa 1991 by ex-members of an alternative / industrial influenced band called The Prostitutes.

The Mavis's were an Australian rock band formed in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1987. Founding mainstays are Becky Thomas on vocals and keyboards, her brother Matt Thomas on guitar and vocals, and Andrea Vendy on drums. They were joined by Nick Gill on guitar in 1990, and Josh Alexander on bass guitar in 1994. They released three studio albums: Venus Returning, Pink Pills – which reached No. 12 on the ARIA Albums Chart – and Rapture. Their synth-driven single, "Cry", peaked at No. 13 on the ARIA Singles Charts and was listed on the Triple J Hottest 100 for 1998. The band also performed the song on Hey Hey It's Saturday. They disbanded in December 2001 after a farewell tour of Australia.

The 15th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 30 October 2001 at the Capitol Theatre. Rock band Powderfinger won the most awards with six from eight nominations. Leading the nominations were dance, electronic group, The Avalanches, with nine nominations: they won four.

<i>Pink Pills</i> 1998 studio album by The Maviss

Pink Pills is the second studio album by Australian pop band The Mavis's. It was released in April 1998 by record label Mushroom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puberty Song</span> 1998 single by The Maviss

"Puberty Song" is a song by Australian alternative rock group, The Mavis's. The song was released in December 1998 as the fourth and final single from their second studio album, Pink Pills (1998). The single peaked at number 92 on the ARIA Charts

<i>Rapture</i> (The Maviss album) 2003 studio album by The Maviss

Rapture is the third studio album by Australian pop band, The Mavis's, which was released in March 2003 by their record label, Festival Mushroom Records. It was produced by Kalju Tonuma, who had also worked on their previous two studio albums. The album's lead single, "Coming Home", peaked at No. 72 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The second single, "Happiness", was released in February 2001, which reached the top 100 on the ARIA Singles Chart and No. 9 on the related ARIA Alternative Singles Chart.

<i>White Noise</i> (The Living End album) 2008 studio album by The Living End

White Noise is the fifth studio album by Australian punk rock band The Living End, first released in Australia on 19 July 2008. It was the band's first album released on the record label Dew Process. A limited edition bonus DVD, recorded at ACDC Lane in Melbourne, was also released, featuring six live songs, four of which were songs from White Noise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trial Kennedy</span> Australian rock band

Trial Kennedy were an Australian rock band formed in 2002, in Melbourne, Victoria. The band released two albums, both peaked in the Australian top 50. In 2012, the band announced their break-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monique Brumby</span> Musical artist

Monique Brumby is an Australian Indie pop/rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. Her debut single, "Fool for You", peaked into the top 40 in the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) ARIA Singles Charts, and provided an ARIA Award for Best New Talent at the ARIA Music Awards of 1996. Her single, "Mary", won an ARIA Music Awards of 1997 for ARIA Award for Best Female Artist.

Effigy were an Australian three-piece indie pop/synth band, formed in Perth in 1994. The band originally consisted of Peter Hardman, and Annie Beckerling (bass), and Jason Stacey (drums). The band signed to US label, Roadrunner Records, one of the label's first Australian signings, and relocated to Melbourne.

<i>Kid Indestructible</i> 1999 EP by 28 Days

Kid Indestructible is the debut extended play album by Australian punk/rock band 28 Days. It was the first release on the newly created Sputnik Records; after being signed to Mushroom label in late 1998. Kid Indestructible was released in May 1999 and peaked at number 69 on the ARIA Charts. The tracks "Kool" and "La Tune" received radio promotional release.

References

  1. "INsuRge lineup, biography".
  2. iNsuRge I.M.F. EP (1994) Liner Notes
  3. iNsuRge I.M.F. EP (1994). Liner Notes behind CD tray say in part: "In 1994 the I.M.F. has become an economic exploitation vice, appropriated by the wealthy, squeezing the life out of the third world, forcing poor countries to produce for export markets before feeding themselves and to cut spending on struggling or non-existent services such as health care an education"
  4. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'iNsuRge'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop . St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  5. iNsuRge Political Prisoners EP (1995). Liner Notes and Lyrics.
  6. iNsuRge Speculator (1996). Liner Notes and Lyrics.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  8. 'rage (TV program)', “Guest Programmers & Specials. 1996.”. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  9. "iNsuRge music, videos, stats, and photos". Last.fm. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  10. "R.I.P. Monique Wakelin | News | Loud". www.loudmag.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  11. https://www.facebook.com/insurgemusic/posts/545117319260071 [ user-generated source ]
  12. iNsuRge, Power to the Poison People (1996) Album liner notes contains 3000 word essay of political issues and influences list.
  13. Wheeler, Warren. "The Art and Politics of iNsuRge", ' 'Tertangala' ', University of Wollongong, Issue 7, September 1996, Page 45. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  14. 'Semper Floreat'. “INSURGE, A State of Mine", ' 'Semper Floreat' ', University of Queensland, Issue 6, 1996, Page 43. Retrieved 2 June 2015.