Smudge
is an Australian indie / country-rock / power-pop band. Its frontman Tom Morgan is more famous outside Australia as a songwriting collaborator of Evan Dando and his band The Lemonheads. Smudge songs are usually made of ironic, sometimes weird lyrics (note the band's choice of username at myspace, being 'smudgesuck'), easy-catching optimistic (though not euphoretic) harmonies and melodies, and simple sound.
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SMUDGE TICKETS
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History
Smudge was formed in 1991, initially only to contribute a song, "Tea, Toast & Turmoil", to the 1991
Half A Cow 7" compilation,
Slice
(along with Swirl, Jupiter and Studley Lush). The band went on to record a 7" single, "Don't Want To Be
Grant McLennan", which was soon made
John Peel's record of the week. On the back of this success, several more releases followed, then in 1994 bassist Paul Duncan left the band to complete his business studies degree and was replaced by bassist, Adam Yee (ex-Headache).
During 1997-1998 the band had two guitars in line-up - Pete Kelly (ex-Disneyfist, Sea Life Park, Decoder Ring) joined the band on second guitar and helped record the album,
Real McCoy, Wrong Sinatra
, which consequently differs in sound and is closer to
Pavement or
Sonic Youth works.
From late October 1999 till 2002 the band went on an extended hiatus while drummer Alison Galloway went trekking across the world.
The band re-united for a limited number of performances in Sydney and Melbourne at the end of 2004, this was then followed by a tour of the
United Kingdom.
Smudge have recently started recording and playing together again. In October 2008 they performed at the inaugural Sounds of Spring Festival in Brisbane which was followed by two performances in Melbourne the following weekend.
Discography
Albums
- Manilow
- Half A Cow/Domino/Shake (1994)
- You, Me, Carpark...Now!
- Half A Cow (1996)
- Mo' Poontang
- Half A Cow (1997)
- Real McCoy, Wrong Sinatra
- Half A Cow (1998)
EPs
- Love, Lust & Lemonjuice
- Half A Cow (1992)
- Superhero
- Half A Cow/Domino (1993)
- Hot Smoke and Sassafras
- Half A Cow/Domino/Shake/100 Guitar Mantra (1994)
- Big City Poontang
- Half A Cow (1995)
- Mike Love Not War
- Half A Cow (1996)
- Impractical Joke
- Half A Cow/Domino/Shake (1994)
- Slight Return EP
- Half A Cow (1996)
- Eighteen In A Week
- Half A Cow (1999)
Singles
- "Don't Want To Be Grant McLennan" - Half A Cow (1991)
- "Leroy de Foix" - Half A Cow (1992) (promotional release)
- "Outdoor Type" - Domino (1993)
- "Desmond" - The Bus Stop Label (1994)
- "Hot Potato (demo version)" - Blind (1998) (split record)
References