Private Function

Last updated

Private Function
Origin Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres Punk [1]
Years active2016–present
Labels
  • Marco Chan Records
  • Roolette Records
  • Damaged
  • Still On Top Records
MembersChris Penney
Aidan McDonald
Milla Holland
Anthony Biancofiore
Lauren Hester
James Macleod
Past membersJoe Hansen
PJ Russo
Allan Stacey
Matt Fazio

Private Function are an Australian punk [1] group. They have released four studio albums and are known for their larrikin humor, high-energy live performance style and unorthodox marketing gimmicks. [2]

Contents

History

In 2016, the group released their debut EP Six Smokin' Songs which featured Bryan Curtis, the face of Australia's anti-smoking campaign, portrayed as being at death's door until he heard the band's music. [3]

In 2017 they released a track titled "I Wish Australia Had Its Guns Again", [4] a satirical take on to US gun laws, which became a crowd favourite. [5] The track was used in Warwick Thornton's 2021-2022 vampire TV series, Firebite . [6]

In November 2017, a second EP titled Rock In Roll was released on independent record label Roolette Records.[ citation needed ]

On 16 August 2019, the group released their debut studio album titled, St. Anger with both the title and artwork replicating Metallica's divisive album of the same name. [3]

In June 2020, the group announced the release of their second studio album Whose Line Is It Anyway? [1] The album debuted at number 9 on the ARIA Charts. [7] The release of the album included a limited-edition "Mystery Bag" vinyl variant which purportedly contained small plastic bags of speed pressed inside the clear records. [8]

In July 2021, the group announced the compilation of early EPs titled, The First Two Tapes On a 12". [9]

In October 2021, founding member Joe Hansen was removed from the group. [10] [11] Hansen was replaced with Anthony Biancofiore, who initially filled in to play Santa Claus at Private Function's Christmas Show, Miracle on 69th Street, at The Forum Melbourne, before becoming a permanent member. Later, super-fan Lauren Hester, who the band were familiar with after she directed the video for the track 'Give War A Chance' for her Swinburne Film and Television assignment [12] , was offered a permanent place in the band, replacing Allan Stacey. [13]


In February 2023, the band have announced the release of their third studio album, 370HSSV 0773H, released on 31 March 2023 via their own Still On Top Records. The album was proceeded by the single "I'm This Far Away (From Being the Worst Person You've Ever Met)" and "Seize and Destroy". [13] The first 3000 vinyl copies of the album featured a scratchcard album cover, and was given a government exemption by the then South Australian Minister for Liquor and Gaming to be sold in the state [14] . The winning cover revealed three matching icons and its owner won a signed test pressing of the album, $2999 in cash and a photo of their face printed on all future pressings of the album. [13] The winner of the scratch competition was found in June 2023 as a Queensland man named Mitch. The album debuted at number 11 on the ARIA Charts. [7] The band also released a limited-edition "Gold" vinyl variant of the album filled with the band members' urine, limited to 50 copies. [15] [16]

In May 2025 the band released the album ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ which included a limited-edition "Goopy" scratch'n'sniff vinyl variant scented like Gwyneth Paltrow's vagina. [17]

Members

Current members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[7]
St Anger
  • Released: 16 August 2019 [18]
  • Format: LP, cassette, digital
  • Label: Disdain (DR-1LP / DR-1CS)
—
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
  • Released: August 2020
  • Format: LP, cassette, CD, digital
  • Label: Damaged Record (DRC-002LP / DRC-002CS / DRC-002CD)
9
370HSSV 0773H
  • Released: 31 March 2023 [13]
  • Format: LP, digital
  • Label: Still On Top Records (ZEROZERO1)
11
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
  • Released: 23 May 2025
  • Format: LP, digital
  • Label: Still On Top
43
[19]

Live albums

List of live albums, with selected details
TitleAlbum details
Live On PBS 106.7 FM
  • Released: June 2020
  • Format: cassette
  • Label: Disdain (DR-1CS)
  • Note: Limited to 200 copies

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details
TitleAlbum details
The First Two Tapes On a 12"
  • Released: July 2021 [9]
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Marco Chan Records (MCR-005)
  • Note: Compiling Six Smokin' Songs and Rock In Roll

Extended plays and singles

List of EPs and singles, with selected details
TitleDetails
Six Smokin' Songs
  • Released: 2016 [3]
  • Format: cassette
  • Label: Private Function / Marco Chan (MCR-100)
Frantic
  • Released: March 2017 (erroneously stated as being released in 1994 on disk label)
  • Format: 3.5" Floppy Disk
  • Label: Private Function / Marco Chan (MCR-002)
Rock in Roll
  • Released: November 2017
  • Format: cassette
  • Label: Roolette (RR003)
Six Smokin' Songs: Live on Bin Night
  • Released: July 2018
  • Format: cassette
  • Label: Marco Chan (MCR-003)
  • Note: Limited to 50 copies
Six Smokin' Songs: Live at the 1997 Carols By Candlelight
  • Released: December 2021
  • Format: cassette
  • Label: Marco Chan (MCR-001)
  • Note: Limited to 50 copies

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2024 370HSSV 0773HBest Independent Punk Album or EPWon [20]
Slow Clap for Private Function 370HSSV 0773HIndependent Marketing Team of the YearNominated

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023 Harry Allen – Studio Balcony for Private Function – 370HSSV 0773H Best Cover Art Nominated [21] [22]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023 Private FunctionBest Punk/Hardcore ActNominated [23]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Alex Gallagher (28 June 2020). "Private Function announce new album 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'". NME . Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "Private Function: Still On Top". Rolling Stone Australia. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Tyler Jenke (20 August 2020). "Private Function: Still On Top". Rolling Stone Australia . Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Wallen, Doug (30 March 2023). "Private Function – '370HSSV 0773H' review: gleefully unpredictable and irresistibly fun". NME. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  5. ↑ Jenke, Tyler (27 August 2020). "Private Function: Still On Top". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "New TV Series To Showcase Aussie Artists To Millions Worldwide". The Music . 16 December 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 "Discography Private Function". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  8. ↑ Hansen, Ben (10 July 2020). "Mysterious bags pressed into Private Function's new vinyl, probably speed". Happy Mag. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Private Function have compiled their early tapes for a new vinyl release". Tone Deaf. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  10. ↑ Gallagher, Alex (21 October 2021). "Private Function part ways with guitarist Joe Hansen". NME. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  11. ↑ Feeds, Music (19 October 2021). "Private Function Part Ways With Guitarist Joe Hansen Following Allegations". Music Feeds. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  12. ↑ Jenke, Tyler (1 April 2021). "Song You Need to Know: Private Function, 'Give War a Chance'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Alex Gallagher (3 February 2023). "Private Function announce new album '370HSSV 0773H' with scratchie record sleeves". NME . Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  14. ↑ "Commissioner waives license for punk scratchie". ABC listen (Radio Adelaide, Adelaide Breakfast). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 February 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  15. ↑ Jones, Abby (27 March 2023). "Australian band Private Function releasing vinyl record filled with urine". Consequence. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  16. ↑ "Private Function Release First-ever Urine-filled Vinyl". themusic.com.au. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "Punk band unleashes vinyl that smells like Gwyneth Paltrow's vagina". Consequence. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  18. ↑ "PRIVATE FUNCTION st. anger". Punk Rock Theory. 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  19. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  20. ↑ "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music . 14 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ↑ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds . 21 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "ARIA Awards 2023: the Nominees & Winners as They're Announced". NME Australia . 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music . 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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