Ammonia (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Founder | Dave Johnstone, Alan Balmont, Phil Natt |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Ammonia was an Australian alternative rock group active during the 1990s, known for merging elements of grunge with guitar-driven pop to create a style they described as "pop-metal." Originating in 1992 in Perth, Western Australia, the band’s founding members were guitarist Dave Johnstone (formerly of Hideous Goldsteins), drummer Alan Balmont (previously with Dear Octopus and Cherrytones), and bassist Phil Natt. Following Natt’s exit, Simon Hensworth joined on bass in 1993, prompting the band to adopt the simpler name Ammonia instead of their initial choice, "Glorious Noise Earthquake," a term inspired by a scientific textbook.
Initial Breakthrough
Ammonia’s early rise was fueled by self-funded recordings and strong grassroots support. Their self-titled cassette highlighted Hensworth’s powerful bass lines coupled with Johnstone’s memorable pop melodies. By 1994, after extensive touring in Melbourne and Sydney, they had amassed enough material for a full album. National alternative radio station Triple J’s DJ Richard Kingsmill played their track "Incinerator," significantly increasing their exposure. To reach a wider audience and counter Perth’s remote location, they opted against independent releases in favor of signing with a major label.
In 1994, their live session for Triple J featured the song "Orange Juice," which received frequent airplay and attracted interest from major record companies. That same summer, Ammonia became the inaugural signing on Sony’s Murmur label, preceding the then-unknown Newcastle band Silverchair.
EP Releases and Mint 400
The band’s debut offering was the In a Box EP (1994), combining early tracks with the newly recorded title song. Supported by Triple J airplay, this EP expanded their fan base across Australia and supported a successful touring schedule. Early in 1995, they released the self-produced Sleepwalking EP, which included the first official release of "Orange Juice." Persistent touring helped them transition from alternative radio to commercial stations.
Balancing live performances with studio sessions, Ammonia recorded their first full-length album, Mint 400, featuring ten new tracks alongside revamped versions of "In a Box" and "Sleepwalking." Produced by Kevin Shirley (known for work with Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, and Slayer), the album was completed within ten days at Festival Studios in Sydney, capturing their live sound with minimal overdubbing. Upon release, Mint 400 entered the Australian charts at number 15. Its lead single, "Drugs"—composed in just five minutes during rehearsal—quickly gained traction despite some radio reluctance due to its title, reaching number 12 nationally and securing a spot in Triple J's Hottest 100. This success earned Ammonia a main stage appearance on the 1995/96 Big Day Out festival tour.
Building on their domestic achievements, Epic launched Mint 400 in the United States, where MTV placed the $5,000 video for "Drugs" into heavy rotation—the lowest-budget video ever to achieve such exposure. The band toured extensively across America, the UK, and Europe throughout 1996, surpassing global sales of 100,000 copies. "Drugs" remained their only single to chart in the U.S., peaking at number 29 on the Billboard Modern Rock charts.
Eleventh Avenue
Upon returning to Australia, Ammonia issued the single "Satin Only", which initially failed to attract attention but was later included as a hidden track on their sophomore album. In preparation for this release, the band traveled to New York to record Eleventh Avenue with producer Dave Fridman, known for his work with The Flaming Lips, Mogwai, and Weezer.
This record represented a departure from their previous straightforward rock style, embracing a richer sonic palette that integrated layered harmonies, samples, and psychedelic keyboard elements while preserving the essence of the group's dynamic. Recognizing the difficulty of reproducing this complex sound live as a trio, Johnstone and Balmont invited original bassist Phil Natt back in mid-1997, expanding his role to include guitar, keyboards, and vocals. Prior to the album's launch, they toured as support for Magic Dirt and Silverchair in December 1997.
The album's lead single, "You're Not the Only One Who Feels This Way", quickly gained substantial airplay, followed by the track "Monochrome". Released in 1998, Eleventh Avenue prominently featured these singles on Australian radio stations alongside the subsequent single "Keep on My Side".
Break-up
Extensive touring in support of their second album exacerbated internal strains within Ammonia, culminating in their decision to disband at the close of 1998. To finish their career on a positive note, the band arranged final appearances at major Australian festivals: concluding with a performance at Homebake in Sydney, followed by a final show in Victoria at The Falls Festival, and wrapping up with a headlining slot on the Main Stage at Perth's Big Day Out in January 1999.
Following the split, Johnstone and Natt formed The Peaks alongside Dan O'Halloran and Shaun Lohar, releasing their album Avoca in November 2004. By 2007, Johnstone was involved with The Lazybirds and subsequently released an album with Quick Quick Slow in 2019. As of 2021, he continues to perform under his own name.
In February 2001, Hensworth joined the seven-member showband Potato Stars as bassist for much of that year.
Alan Balmont moved into tour management for The Living End and contributed to Bob Evans' debut album, Suburban Kid.
Personnel
- Dave Johnstone – guitar, vocals (1992–1999)
- Alan Balmont – drums (1992–1999)
- Phil Natt – bass guitar (1992), guitar, keyboards, vocals (1993–1999)
- Simon Hensworth – bass guitar (1993–1999)
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS |
US CMJ | ||
| Mint 400 |
|
15 | 49 |
| Eleventh Avenue |
|
20 | — |
Extended plays
| Title | Information | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| In a Box |
|
78 |
| Sleepwalking EP |
|
86 |
| Limited Live & Rare |
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart rankings | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1995 | "Drugs" | 32 | Mint 400 |
| 1996 | "Ken Carter" | 50 | |
| "Suzi Q" | — | ||
| "Satin Only" | — | non-album single | |
| 1997 | "You're Not the Only One Who Feels This Way" | 83 | Eleventh Avenue |
| 1998 | "Monochrome" | — | |
| "Keep on My Side" | — |
ARIA Music Awards
Since 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements and creativity within the Australian music industry.
| Year | Work | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Mint 400 | Breakthrough Artist - Album | Nominated |
| "Drugs" | Single of the Year | Nominated |