Asteroid B-612
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Sydney, Australia |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, compilation albums, extended plays, singles |
Asteroid B-612 was a hard rock group originating from Sydney, Australia, formed in 1992. By 1993, the ensemble featured Michael Gibbons on guitar, Grant McIver handling lead vocals, Scott Nash on bass, Darren Pierce on drums, and John Spittles playing guitar. Their discography includes four studio albums: Asteroid B-612 (1993), Forced into a Corner (1994), Not Meant for this World (1996), and Readin' Between the Lines (2000). The band ultimately disbanded in 2004.
History
Established in Sydney in 1992, Asteroid B-612 released their debut eponymous album through Destroyer Records in 1993. Their music combined a raw Detroit-inspired hard rock sound with gritty 12-bar blues and featured twin lead guitar arrangements. They also contributed a split single titled "I've Had You" alongside Sydney rock band Brother Brick, which was issued by Lance Rock Records.
Towards the end of 1994, Stewart Cunningham—formerly of Proton Energy Pills and Brother Brick—took over guitar duties from Gibbons, while Ben Fox replaced Darren Pierce on drums. This lineup recorded their sophomore album, Forced into a Corner, co-produced by John Spittles, Lindsay Gravina, and Dave Thomas at Birdland Studios in Melbourne. Released on Destroyer Records and distributed by Shock Records, the group later signed with Melbourne’s Au Go Go Records, which put out their EP Teen Sublimation Riffs in 1995. During a US tour supporting garage rock band Gas Huffer, Cunningham departed mid-tour in 1996.
Their third release, Not Meant for this World, arrived in October 1996 and was recorded prior to Cunningham’s exit. This album presented a rougher rock style reminiscent of acts like The Stooges and Blue Oyster Cult. Early in 1997, Ken Watts (ex-Valvolux) joined on guitar. Following McIver’s departure that same year, Grahame Spittles assumed lead vocal responsibilities. November 1997 saw the release of the single "September Crush," followed by the six-track EP Different Licks for Different Chicks in 1999 under Rambling Records.
The fourth album, Readin' Between the Lines, released in 2000 via Full Toss Records and produced by Kent Steadman from Celibate Rifles, broadened their musical palette to include psychedelic and melodic elements alongside their energetic rock foundation. The band ceased activities in 2004.
In late 2019, Golden Robot Records digitally reissued Asteroid B-612’s complete catalogue worldwide—a collaboration stemming from over twenty years of connection tied to Mark Alexander-Erber’s former ownership of Sydney’s Iron Duke Hotel, where the band regularly performed.
Golden Robot has also made available all albums by Johnny Casino (associated with Asteroid / Secrets / Easy Action / Solo) across digital platforms.
Bassist Scott Nash passed away on 28 December 2022.
Members
- Michael Gibbons – guitar (1992–93)
- Grant McIver – lead vocals (1992–97)
- Scott Nash – bass guitar (1992–2004; died 2022)
- Darren Pierce – drums (1992–93)
- John Spittles – lead guitar (1992–2004)
- Stewart Cunningham – lead guitar (1993–96)
- Ben Fox – drums (1993–2004)
- Ken Watts – guitar (1996–97)
- Graham Spittles – lead vocals (1997–2004)
Studio albums
- Asteroid B-612 (1993) – Destroyer
- Forced into a Corner (1994) – Destroyer/Shock Records
- Not Meant for this World (1996) – Au Go Go Records
- Readin' Between the Lines (2000) – Full Toss
Live albums
- The Greenback Blues (2004) – Off the Hip
Compilation albums
- All New Hits (1996) – Lance Rock
- Two Fisted Rock'n'Roll (2005) – Off the Hip
- Not Meant for this World – The Au-Go-Go Years 1994–1996 (2008) – Off the Hip
Extended plays
- Teen Sublimation Riffs (1995) – Au Go Go Records
- Different Licks for Different Chicks (1998) – Rambling Records
Singles
- "I've Had You" (1994) – Lance Rock
- "Crash Landing" (1995) – Brain Salad Surgery
- "Straight Back to You!" (1996) – Broken
- "September Crush" (1997) – Au Go Go Records
- "So Long, Goodbye" (1999) – Full Toss
- "Outcast" (2000) – Full Toss
- "Always Got Something to Lose" (2004) – Bang!
References
- General
- Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
- Specific