Amyl and The Sniffers: The Hot Rock



It’s a question that people have been asking since the late 1950’s: What the hell happened to Rock and Roll? As a music genre, it was derived from various forms of the Blues and Country music. The earliest Rock records basically fell into one of three categories, which were looking for love, forever love and lost love. It had an overinflated sense of drama and silliness at times, and in contrast to other forms of popular music, was simple, basic and catchy.

The Beatles, of course, were one of the primary drivers of this change in the mid-1960’s. Even with things getting strange, heavy and serious, there was still always room for a band that either knowingly or just by sheer dumb luck realized that the best and most loved Rock and Roll is fun. Case in point: Amyl and The Sniffers, which aren’t going to be the next big thing, because to their small and rabid fan base that is growing faster than E-coli at a fast food restaurant, they already are.

Amyl and The Sniffers, backstage at Glastonbury, 2018. Back row: (l-r) Gus Romer, Bryce Wilson and Dec Martin. Front: Amy Taylor. Photo by Jenn Five for the NME.

Consisting of Gus Romer on bass, Bryce Wilson on drums, Dec Martin on guitar and lead vocals by frontwoman Amy Taylor, they hail from Australia’s second largest city, Melbourne. Musically, they are partially derived from a subculture called the Sharpies, which were sort of the Down Under version of the 1970’s Punk movement. Simply stating that would leave their other obvious influences, such as new wave, thrash and metal, even though they probably would never admit the latter.

They wrote and recorded their first release in their apartment in just 12 hours. Their high energy live shows drew attention, especially since the band is a true rarity: a female-fronted hardcore group that showcased what they could do given an opportunity. Another EP and a single followed, with the band releasing their first full length self-titled LP just three months ago in May 2019.

“One of the only shows I’ve ever been nervous for was the first time my parents came and watched, but they loved it!”

amy taylor, lead vocals, amyl and the sniffers

What sets Amyl and The Sniffers apart from the pack? It the same trick that all of the most celebrated Rock artists have used for decades. They play it like they invented it. If Rock is dead, then bend over Beethoven.

Amy and The Sniffers Playlist

  • Gacked On Anger, Amyl and The Sniffers, 2019
  • 70’s Street Munchies, The Big Attraction EP, 2017
  • Cup of Destiny (live), Burger Boogaloo Festival, 2019
  • I Got You (live), Burger Boogaloo Festival, 2019
  • Monsoon Rock, Amyl and The Sniffers, 2019
  • Westgate, The Big Attraction EP, 2017
  • Mandalay, Giddy Up EP, 2016
  • Pleasure Forever, Giddy Up EP, 2016
  • Shake Ya, Amyl and The Sniffers, 2019
  • I’m Not A Loser, The Big Attraction EP, 2017

Finale

  • Some Mutts Can’t Be Muzzled, original 7″ A-side single mix, 2018

Love to you all.

Ben “Bear” Brown Jr., owner
Host, Producer, Audio Engineer and Writer

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