Custard (band)
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | David McCormack, Paul Medew, James Straker, Shane Brunn |
| Defunct | 1999 (initial breakup) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2009, active since |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | David McCormack, Paul Medew, Matthew Strong, Glenn Thompson |
| Products | Indie rock music albums and singles |
Number of employees | 4 (core members) |
| Website | custard |
Custard is an Australian indie rock ensemble that originated in 1989 in Brisbane, Queensland. Often referred to as Custaro due to common mispronunciations, they are chiefly known for their ARIA Award-winning track "Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)".
1989–1993: Formation and initial EPs
Initially named Custard Gun, the lineup included David McCormack (vocals, guitar), Paul Medew (bass), James Straker (guitar), and Shane Brunn (drums). Following personnel changes—most notably Matthew Strong replacing Straker—the band adopted the name Custard in early 1990.
Their debut release was a four-song vinyl EP titled Rockfish Anna in November 1990, promoted with a theatrical stunt featuring an Elvis impersonator who breathed fire.
Although their first album, Buttercup/Bedford, was recorded in 1991, its release faced postponements; when it finally came out in March 1992, CDs were not yet available, prompting the band to distribute cassette copies for free. By late 1992, after securing a deal with Ra Records, Custard issued the EP Gastanked, followed by the Brisbane EP and singles "Casanova" and "Singlette" during 1993. The drummer position saw changes as well, with Shane Brunn succeeded first by Gavin Herrenberg and subsequently by Danny Plant.
1994–1995: Wahooti Fandango and Wisenheimer
The band's first album under a major label, Wahooti Fandango, was released in 1994. Its lead single, "Aloha Tambourinist", was accompanied by a beach-themed music video featuring male models impersonating the band members.
Receiving critical praise, Wahooti Fandango earned a nomination for Best Alternative Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 1995.
October 1995 marked their commercial breakthrough with "Apartment", the lead single from their third album, Wisenheimer. This song secured heavy airplay on triple j and attained the number 7 spot in the Triple J Hottest 100, 1995. Produced by Eric Drew Feldman in San Francisco, Wisenheimer also featured singles such as "Sunset Strip", "Lucky Star", and "Leisuremaster".
Subsequent to this era, Glenn Thompson replaced Danny Plant on drums.
1996–1999: We Have the Technology and Loverama
On 24 November 1996, Custard performed at the Sydney Opera House forecourt during Crowded House's Farewell to the World concert alongside acts like You Am I and Powderfinger, entertaining an estimated crowd ranging from 100,000 to 250,000.
Between 1996 and 1997, Custard toured across Australia with artists including Weezer, Frank Black, Beck, and Presidents of the USA. They then returned to the United States to record their fourth studio album, We Have the Technology.
Singles from this record included "Nice Bird" and "Anatomically Correct", but it was "Music is Crap"—written and performed by Thompson—that entered the ARIA top 100 charts and revitalized public interest.
Their subsequent single, "Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)", became their most successful hit, reaching #52 on the ARIA singles chart and placing third in the Triple J Hottest 100, 1998. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1999, they received Best Video honors for this song. The album Loverama stands as their highest-selling release.
At the close of 1999, Custard took a six-month break before ultimately disbanding.
2000–2008: Band breakup and subsequent ventures
Following the band's breakup, frontman and guitarist McCormack established The Titanics, collaborating with drummer and guitarist Thompson. McCormack's then-spouse, Emma Tom, handled bass duties, while Tina Havelock-Stevens took on drumming responsibilities. The Titanics produced two records, Size Isn't Everything and Love is the Devil, before disbanding.
McCormack embarked on a solo path with The Polaroids, featuring his brother Dylan (from Gentle Ben and his Sensitive Side) on bass, Shane Melder (formerly of Sidewinder) on drums, and Cameron Bruce (associated with Paul Kelly). Their releases included the single "Candy" (2002), the "Save Dave" DVD (2003), the album The Truth About Love (2004), and Little Murders (2009).
In 2004, Strong became part of Lost Gospel alongside Phil Jamieson from Grinspoon, resulting in one album release.
Thompson joined The Go-Betweens in 2001, having collaborated earlier with Forster and Grant McLennan in 1995. He played on The Go-Betweens’ last two albums, Bright Yellow Bright Orange and Oceans Apart, and toured until McLennan passed away in 2006. Thompson released a solo album titled Brighton Bothways under the name "Beachfield" in 2007. Later, in 2010, he formed a duo with Adele Pickvance from The Go-Betweens called Adele & Glenn, releasing their first album in April 2012.
A DVD compilation named The Spaces at the Side of the Road – A Digital History of Custard was issued in 2007.
By 2008, Medew was part of The Purple Hearts.
2009–2011: Reunion
On 10 December 2009, Custard reunited to commemorate Queensland's sesquicentennial celebration, sharing the stage with Powderfinger and other local performers. Since then, they have performed intermittently at events such as the 2010 Meredith Music Festival and headlined the Float On: A Brisbane Flood Relief Benefit in February 2011, which supported those affected by the 2010–2011 Queensland floods. In 2011, Custard also appeared at the Brisbane Festival.
2015–2019: Releases of Come Back, All Is Forgiven and The Common Touch
On 6 November 2015, Custard unveiled their first new album since 1999's Loverama, entitled Come Back, All Is Forgiven, released through ABC Music.
They followed up in 2017 with The Common Touch, featuring singles like "In the Grand Scheme of Things" and "2000 Woman".
Ahead of a September 2018 tour, Custard issued The Band: Live in the Basement, a live album recorded during their 9 November 2017 show at Sydney's Basement venue.
2020–present: Releases of Respect All Lifeforms and Suburban Curtains
On 19 March 2020, Custard dropped the single "Funky Again" while announcing their eighth studio album, Respect All Lifeforms, which was released on 22 May.
In September 2023, the band revealed they were entering pre-production for their ninth album. On 15 August 2024, they debuted "Molecules Colliding," the lead single from Suburban Curtains, accompanied by plans for a supporting tour set for November 2024.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions |
Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| Buttercup/Bedford |
|
— | |
| Wahooti Fandango |
|
89 | |
| Wisenheimer |
|
55 | |
| We Have the Technology | 36 |
| |
| Loverama | 19 |
| |
| Come Back, All Is Forgiven | 71 | ||
| The Common Touch |
|
— | |
| Respect All Lifeforms |
|
33 | |
| Suburban Curtains |
|
— |
Live albums
| Album Title | Release Information |
|---|---|
| The Band (Live in the Basement) |
|
Compilation albums
| Album Title | Release Details | Chart Peak Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Wacked Not Wacky |
|
— |
| Goodbye Cruel World |
|
64 |
| Brisbane 1990–1993 |
|
— |
| The Essential |
|
— |
| 98 Demos |
|
— |
Extended plays
| Title | EP information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Rockfish Anna |
|
— |
| Gastanked |
|
200 |
| Brisbane |
|
153 |
Singles
| Title | Release Year | Peak chart positions |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| "Casanova" | 1993 | 177 | non-album single |
| "Singlette" | 173 | Wahooti Fandango | |
| "Aloha Tambourinist" | 1994 | 124 | |
| "Pack Yr Suitcases" | 149 | ||
| "Alone" | 1995 | 113 | |
| "Apartment" | 105 | Wisenheimer | |
| "Lucky Star" | 1996 | 118 | |
| "Sunset Strip" | 107 | ||
| "Leisuremaster" | 115 | ||
| "Nice Bird" | 1997 | 108 | We Have the Technology |
| "Anatomically Correct" | 140 | ||
| "Music Is Crap" | 73 | ||
| "Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)" | 1998 | 52 | Loverama |
| "Hit Song" | "1999" | "60" | |
| "Ringo (I Feel Like)" | "1999" | "118" | |
| "The New Matthew" | "1999" | "98" | |
| "Monday / What Am I Gonna Do" | "2015" | "—" | — non-album single" |
| "We Are the Parents (Our Parents Warned Us About)" | "2015" | "—" | "Come Back, All Is Forgiven" |
| "Rice & Beans" | "2016" | "—" | "Come Back, All Is Forgiven" |
| "In the Grand Scheme of Things (None of This Really Matters)" | "2017" | "—" | "The Common Touch" |
| "2000 Woman" | "2017" | "—" | "The Common Touch" |
| "Funky Again" | "2020" | "—" | "Respect All Lifeforms" |
| "The Min Min Lights" | "2020" | "—" | "Respect All Lifeforms" |
| "Couple's Fight" | "2020" | "—" | "Respect All Lifeforms" |
| "Take the Skinheads Bowling" | "2020" | "—" | "Respect All Lifeforms" |
| "Molecules Colliding" | "2024" | "—" | "Suburban Curtians" |
| "Someday" (featuring Serena Ryder) | "2024" | "—" | "Suburban Curtians" |
| "Heart Attacks" | "2024" | "—" | "Suburban Curtians" |
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and creativity within the realm of Australian music each year. Custard has earned one win out of three total nominations.
|- | 1995 | Wahooti Fandango | Best Alternative Release | |- | 1996 | Wisenheimer | Best Independent Release | |- | 1999 | Andrew Lancaster & David McCormack for the video "Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)" by Custard | Best Video |