Totally Unicorn

Last updated

Totally Unicorn
Origin Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Metalcore, mathcore, post hardcore
Years active2010–present
Associated actsHospital the Musical, Tanned Christ, Broken Season, Snakes Get Bad Press, Ohana, We Lost the Sea, Robotosaurus
Website totallyunicornmusic.bandcamp.com
MembersDrew Gardner
Aaron Streatfeild
Adam Myers
Dean Podmore
Past membersRobert Mudge
Clancy Tucker
Tim McMahon
Michael Bennett
Kerim Erkin
Lee Nielson

Totally Unicorn is an Australian metal band originally from Wollongong, New South Wales. Forming in 2010, the band are best known for their highly energetic and unpredictable live shows, which often feature partial or complete nudity, jumping off the stage or other raised platforms and interacting with individual audience members. The band's live reputation has brought them to several high-profile tours and support slots; including shows with Kvelertak, La Dispute, The Chariot, Frenzal Rhomb, Rosetta, Cancer Bats and Tonight Alive.

Contents

History

2010–2014: Early EPs

Totally Unicorn were formed in 2010 following the split of the band Hospital the Musical, which featured vocalist Drew Gardner, original drummer Michael Bennett and original guitarist Clancy Tucker. The three were joined by bassist Robert Mudge, formerly of Thirroul band Ohana. An EP, Horse Hugger, was released on 3 December 2010.

March 2011 saw the departure of Mudge from the band, as he left to pursue a teaching career overseas. His final show with the band was opening for Frenzal Rhomb in the band's hometown of Wollongong. Mudge was then replaced by Tim McMahon. The band ended 2011 with a tour featuring Sydney band Gay Paris and Adelaide band God God Dammit Dammit. The three bands contributed two new tracks apiece to a three-way split EP entitled Totally Gay Dammit.

In May 2012, the band went on a national Australian tour as the opening act for Tonight Alive. The band were originally going to be joined by The Dangerous Summer, [1] but they were replaced by UK band Young Guns. [2]

August 2012 saw the band announce the release of their first vinyl release, a penis-shaped record entitled 7 Inches which featured two new songs. [3] The initial release sold out within days and put the band at the top of the best-seller's list on Bandcamp's front page. The vinyl was later re-released as 9 Inches, which, as its title suggests, added two extra inches to the original vinyl.[ citation needed ]

In October 2012, guitarist Clancy Tucker announced via Facebook that he was leaving the band to relocate to Alice Springs and become a nurse. [4] His final show with the band was in Fairy Meadow in December 2012, opening for American punk rock band Pour Habit. It was then announced that the band had enlisted two new guitarists to replace Tucker: Aaron Streatfeild (formerly of Snakes Get Bad Press) and Kerim Erkin.

The band were selected as one of the bands on the first Hits & Pits line-up, a national punk-rock-oriented touring festival. The band played alongside acts such as Mad Caddies, A Wilhelm Scream and The Flatliners. [5]

In April 2013, it was announced that Totally Unicorn would be releasing a split seven-inch with Adelaide band Robotosaurus. [6] The band would also head out on a co-headlining tour, which served as the final shows for Robotosaurus. The vinyl was released independently in July 2013.

The band opened for Norwegian metal band Kvelertak at their headlining show in Sydney in September 2013 [7] before heading out on tour with UK band Rolo Tomassi for the first half of an extensive national tour. [8]

2015–2019: Dream Life & Sorry

It was announced in February 2015 that the band would be opening for Norma Jean on the Sydney leg of their Australian tour. [9] In September 2015, the band announced the departure of bassist Tim McMahon. He was replaced by Lee Nielson, another former member of Snakes Get Bad Press.

In 2015, the band announced their signing to independent Wollongong label Farmer & The Owl. With the signing came the announcement of their first release under the label – a 7-inch vinyl with two brand-new songs, released as a Record Store Day exclusive. The 7-inch, entitled sometimes i sit and drink, and sometimes i just drink, was named in tribute to Courtney Barnett's 2015 album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit . The artwork for the 7-inch also parodied Barnett's hand-drawn album cover.

In June 2016, Totally Unicorn announced the completion and imminent release of their debut album. Entitled Dream Life, the album was released on 29 July. The album features guest vocals from Heavy Heavy Low Low's Rob Smith and High Tension's Karina Utomo.

In February 2017, drummer Michael Bennett announced his imminent departure from the band following a handful of remaining shows. [10] His last came at Sydney's Black Wire Records on 26 March 2017. Bennett was replaced by former Robotosaurus drummer Adam Myers.

In March 2017, it was announced that the band would be going on tour nationally with Frenzal Rhomb. [11] The band also played with The Dillinger Escape Plan in October, playing their second-last Sydney show on their final Australian tour. [12] In December 2017, Erkin announced that he would be leaving the band.

In October 2018, the band released a new single, "Grub." [13] This was followed by the release of "I'll Be Fine Now" in February 2019, [14] and the release of their second studio album Sorry in April 2019. [15]

2020–present: High Spirits//Low Life

The group's third studio album, High Spirits//Low Life, is scheduled for release on 18 February 2022.

In other media

In 2012, members of the band were featured in an episode of Channel Seven's Border Security: Australia's Front Line as Rob Smith from the band Heavy Heavy Low Low attempted to get into the country to tour. [16] The band also had a beetroot cake named after them in Same Same But Different, a recipe book by Australian chef Poh Ling Yeow; who is the sister-in-law of former drummer Bennett. [17] In August 2014, Brisbane band Violent Soho selected the band's video for "Cool Dads with Cool Sons" for their guest programming of the Australian music video show rage . [18] Totally Unicorn had opened for the band at one of their headlining shows in Sydney the month prior.

Members

Current members

Former members

Former touring members

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum details
Dream Life
Sorry
  • Released: 12 April 2019 [20]
  • Label: Farmer & The Owl (FATO022)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
High Spirits//Low Life
  • Scheduled: 18 February 2022 [21]
  • Label: Farmer & The Owl / BMG
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Extended plays

TitleEPs details
Horse Hugger
  • Released: 3 December 2010
  • Label: Beard Of Bees (BOB 001)
  • Format: CD, DD
Totally Gay Dammit
(with Gay Paris and God God Dammit Dammit)
  • Released: November 2011
  • Format: CD, DD
7 Inches
  • Released: October 2012
  • Format: LP
  • Note: Limited to 200
9 Inches
  • Released: February 2013
  • Format: LP
  • Note: Limited to 200
Together Alone
(with Robotosaurus)
  • Released: 6 June 2013 [22]
  • Label: Monolith
  • Format: LP, DD
  • Note: LP limited to 200
sometimes i sit and drink, and sometimes i just drink
  • Released: April 2015
  • Label: Farmer & The Owl (FATO006)
  • Format: LP, DD

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Customer Service Station" [23] 2016Dream Life
"Old Cute & Putrified" [24]
"Grub" [25] 2018Sorry
"I'll Be Fine Now" [26] 2019
"Prized Pig" [27]
"Like" [28] 2021non album single
"Trust Fund Glee" [29] High Spirits//Low Life
"Yeah, Coach" [30]
"Fri(ends)" [31]

Awards and nominations

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
National Live Music Awards of 2016 [32] ThemselvesLive Hard Rock Act of the YearNominated
National Live Music Awards of 2017 [33] [34] ThemselvesLive Hard Rock Act of the YearNominated

Related Research Articles

Frenzal Rhomb 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.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Band

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in San Francisco in 1995. The band's lineup consists of Spike Slawson, Fat Mike, Joey Cape, and Dave Raun. Chris Shiflett is a former member.

Lindsay McDougall Musical artist

Lindsay McAllister M "The Doctor" McDougall is an Australian rock guitarist and radio presenter. Since 1996, he has been the lead guitarist in punk rock band, Frenzal Rhomb alongside lead singer Jay Whalley. He has co-written songs with fellow band members including their highest charting single, "You Are Not My Friend". During 2003 McDougall organised Rock Against Howard, a compilation album, by various Australian musicians as a protest against incumbent Prime Minister, John Howard's government. It was released in August 2004, before the October federal election; Howard's coalition was nonetheless re-elected. In 2005, with Whalley, he co-hosted the Breakfast Show on national youth radio network Triple J, as Jay and the Doctor. In 2008, after Whalley left, he worked with Robbie Buck and Marieke Hardy. From 2010 to late 2014, he hosted the afternoon drive time programme. Since January 2018, McDougall has fronted the afternoon drive show on the ABC's local radio station in Wollongong, 97.3 ABC Illawarra. He is an animal rights activist and a vegan.

<i>A Mans Not a Camel</i> 1999 studio album by Frenzal Rhomb

A Man's Not a Camel is Frenzal Rhomb's fourth studio album, released in March 1999. The album was arguably the band's most successful, at least in terms of mainstream music culture. Frenzal Rhomb had languished for many years, a staple of Australian punk, but not of Australian music. The singles "You are Not My Friend", "Never Had So Much Fun" and "We're Going Out Tonight" all received considerable play-time on radio and television music video programmes, boosting the band's reputation. In July 2011, the album was voted 92nd in Triple J's Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time.

Jen Cloher Australian folk rock musician

Jen Cloher is an Australian singer, songwriter, and record producer, currently based in Melbourne, Victoria. Cloher's 2017 self-titled fourth studio album peaked at number 5 on the ARIA Charts. From 2006 to 2010, Cloher recorded and toured with her band Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea and since 2013 has released with Mia Dyson and Liz Stringer music under the name Dyson Stringer Cloher.

Ball Park Music Australian indie rock band

Ball Park Music are a five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Sam Cromack, bassist and backing vocalist Jennifer Boyce, keyboardist and trombonist Paul Furness, guitarist and backing vocalist Dean Hanson, and guitarist and drummer Daniel Hanson.

San Cisco Australian indie pop band

San Cisco is an Australian indie pop band that formed in 2009 under the original name of King George, in Fremantle, Western Australia. The band are a three-piece, and currently consists of Jordi Davieson, Josh Biondillo and Scarlett Stevens. All members, except Stevens, share duties on keyboards. In November 2011, the band was signed by Albert Productions, but moved to Island Records for the release of its debut album. In October 2012, the band described its 'vibe' as "squelchy, crispy, streamlined, hairy, indie". At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013 the group were nominated for Best Independent Release and Best Dance Release for the album; and Best Video for "Fred Astaire", which was directed by Andrew Nowrojee.

The Smith Street Band

The Smith Street Band are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, Victoria, in which the titular Smith Street can be found. The band have released five extended plays and five studio albums, No One Gets Lost Anymore (2011), Sunshine and Technology (2012), Throw Me in the River (2014), More Scared of You than You Are of Me (2017) and Don't Waste Your Anger (2020).

The Preatures Australian indie rock band

The Preatures were an Australian indie rock band from Sydney, New South Wales, who formed in 2010. The band consisted of lead vocalist and keyboardist Isabella "Izzi" Manfredi, guitarist and vocalist Jack Moffitt, bassist Thomas Champion, and drummer Luke Davison. Vocalist and guitarist Gideon Bensen was a member of the band until 2016. In 2013, the Preatures won the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition with their song "Is This How You Feel?" They disbanded in 2021, following the launch of Manfredi's solo career.

Montaigne (musician) Australian musician

Jessica Alyssa Cerro, who performs as Montaigne, is an Australian art pop singer-songwriter-musician and Twitch streamer. Her debut album, Glorious Heights, was released on 5 August 2016, which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2016 she won Breakthrough Artist – Release for the album and was nominated for three other categories. In April 2016 she was a featured vocalist on Hilltop Hoods' track, "1955", which reached No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart. She was supposed to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with her song "Don't Break Me", until the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, she represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Technicolour", but did not qualify from the semi-final, becoming the first Australian entrant not to qualify to the final since the debut of Australia in 2015.

Gang of Youths

Gang of Youths are an Australian indie rock group from Sydney. The band consists of principal songwriter David Le'aupepe, Max Dunn, Jung Kim, Donnie Borzestowski (drums), and Tom Hobden. Kim is Korean-American, Dunn is from New Zealand, Borzestowski is Polish-Australian, Hobden is British, while Le'aupepe is of Samoan and Austrian-Jewish descent. They are mostly known for their 2017 single "Let Me Down Easy" which became their first top 50 single in Australia. Their debut album, The Positions, peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart in May 2015 and was nominated for multiple ARIA Awards.

Holy Holy (Australian band) Australian indie rock band

Holy Holy are an Australian indie rock band formed by songwriters Timothy Carroll and Oscar Dawson (guitar) in 2011. The pair were later joined by Ryan Strathie (drums), and by touring musicians Graham Ritchie and Matt Redlich. They have released four top-20 studio albums and have been nominated for two ARIA Award.

Client Liaison

Client Liaison are an Australian indie pop duo made up of vocalist Monte Morgan, and keyboardist and producer Harvey Miller. The pair first came to prominence in 2012 after the release of their first music video "End of the Earth", and have gone on to release a self-titled EP in 2014, and studio album Diplomatic Immunity in 2016. Their second studio album, Divine Intervention was released on 1 October 2021.

Citizen Kay is an Australian Canberra-based hip hop artist.

Luca Brasi are an Australian rock band formed in St Helens, Tasmania in 2009. The current line-up of the band features Thomas Busby on lead guitar, Danny Flood on drums, Patrick Marshall on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Tyler Richardson on lead vocals and bass guitar. To date, the group have released five studio albums: Extended Family (2011), By a Thread (2014), If This Is All We're Going to Be (2016), Stay (2018) and Everything Is Tenuous (2021). Stay became their first ARIA top 10.

Angie McMahon Australian musician

Angie McMahon is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician from Melbourne, Victoria. McMahon released her debut studio album Salt in 2019.

Mallrat Australian musician

Grace Kathleen Elizabeth Shaw, known professionally as Mallrat, is an Australian musician, singer, and rapper from Brisbane. Mallrat has released three EPs: Uninvited (2016), In the Sky (2018) and Driving Music (2019). In 2019, her tracks "Groceries" and "UFO" placed at number 7 and 70, respectively, in the 2018 Triple J Hottest 100, in 2020, "Charlie" and "Nobody's Home" placed at number 3 and 59, respectively, in the 2019 Triple J Hottest 100 and in 2021, "Rockstar" placed 13 in the 2020 Triple J Hottest 100.

Glitoris Punk rock band from Australia

Glitoris are a four-piece punk rock band from Canberra ACT, Australia. The band is composed of Keven 007, Malcolm (bass), Mickey (drums) and Andrew.

Yours and Owls is a brand and annual music festival that is held in Wollongong, Australia. It originally started as a coffee shop, then a gallery and restaurant space, then a music venue, then pop-up gigs, a record label, and now holds an annual music festival. in addition to events throughout the year in local venues.

Gabriel Strum, known professionally as Japanese Wallpaper, is an Australian indie pop singer-songwriter and producer. He released his debut single "Breathe In" featuring Wafia on 10 October 2013. The song featured in Zach Braff's film Wish I Was Here. Strum has had three songs feature in the Triple J Hottest 100: "Between Friends" featuring Jesse Davidson at No. 97 (2014), "Forces" featuring Airling at No. 69 (2015) and "In Motion" featuring Allday at No. 44 (2017). He released his debut album Glow on 18 October 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "AMH Network – Tonight Alive Tour with The Dangerous Summer and Totally Unicorn". Alternative Music Hub. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Scott Fitzsimons (11 May 2012). "Tonight Alive Tour Drama – theMusic.com.au". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Jordan Nash (6 August 2012). "Totally Unicorn announce new 7-inch". Killyourstereo. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  4. ↑ Clancy Tucker (17 October 2012). "Facebook – Yo! So I've gone and blown it..." Facebook. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  5. ↑ Tom Mann (19 October 2012). "New punk festival in 2013: Hits and Pits". FasterLouder.com.au. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Totally Unicorn And Robotosaurus Announce Split Single Tour – theMusic.com.au". theMusic.com.au. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Supports Named For Upcoming Kvelertak Tour – theMusic.com.au". theMusic.com.au. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Rolo Tomassi (UK) Australian Tour 2013 w/Totally Unicorn & Stockades – Monolith". Monolith. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Supports Announced For NORMA JEAN April Tour". Rest Assured Zine. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  10. ↑ Michael Bennett (15 February 2017). "To everyone that knows us..." Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  11. ↑ Tom Williams (27 March 2017). "Frenzal Rhomb Announce 2017 National Tour For New Album 'Hi-Vis High Tea'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  12. ↑ "Dillinger Escape Plan + Totally Unicorn @ Bald Faced Stag 18.10.17". From The Pit. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  13. ↑ Rizk, Anwar (18 October 2018). "Totally Unicorn reveal their new single 'Grub'". Metal Obsession. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  14. ↑ Sievers, Alex. "Totally Unicorn embrace numbness with 'I'll Be Fine Now'". KillYourStereo. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  15. ↑ Levin, Darren. "Album Walkthrough: Totally Unicorn 'Sorry'". LNWY.co. Bolster Co. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  16. ↑ Mikey Hamer (5 March 2012). "Rob From HeavyHeavyLowLow on Ch7's Border Security – YouTube" . Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Poh Ling Yeow (10 June 2014). "Totally Unicorn Beetroot Cake >> InDaily Adelaide News". InDailey. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "r a g e – Saturday, August 23, 2014". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Dream Life on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  20. ↑ "Sorry on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "What's new this month? Here are 7 Australian release picks for February 2022". NME Australia . 1 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  22. ↑ "Together Alone (EP)". Apple Music. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  23. ↑ ""Customer Service Station" – single". Apple Music. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  24. ↑ ""Old Cute & Putrified" – single". Apple Music. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  25. ↑ ""Grub" – single". Apple Music. October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  26. ↑ ""I'll Be Fine Now" – single". Apple Music. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  27. ↑ ""Prized Pig" – single". Apple Music. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  28. ↑ "TOTALLY UNICORN RETURN WITH AFFIRMING NEW SINGLE & VIDEO, 'LIKE'". Black of Hearts. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  29. ↑ "Totally Unicorn slam the "Trust Fund Glee" on mosh-ready new single". NME Australia. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  30. ↑ "Totally Unicorn lament societal pressures on intense new single "Yeah, Coach"". NME Australia. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  31. ↑ "Totally Unicorn Unveil "Fri(ends)" with Frenzal Rhomb's Jason Whalley + Announce New Album". Wall of Sound. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  32. ↑ "Nominees 2016". NLMA. 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  33. ↑ "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". NLMA. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  34. ↑ "Winners 2017". NLMA. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.