Gaslight Radio
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Martin Cooke, Rory Cooke |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Gaslight Radio was an indie rock ensemble originating from Australia, established in 1995 in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, by siblings Martin (guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Rory Cooke (vocals, guitar). The lineup later expanded to include Simon Piper on drums and briefly Phil Roubin handling bass duties. Over their career, they released three full-length albums: Hitch on the Leaves (1998), Z-Nation (2003), and Good Heavens Mean Times (2006), before their dissolution in 2009.
History
Initially formed as an indie guitar pop outfit, Gaslight Radio garnered early recognition with a four-track demo featuring the song "Tarmac and Line," which secured them a contract with Lonely Guy Records and publishing through Mushroom Publishing. Their first EP, Torchin' Towns, Hankering Homes (1996), produced by Greg Wales, showcased influences from American groups such as The Pixies and Pavement and received favorable critical reviews.
The follow-up EP, ...Our Dolelove (1997), recorded alongside Charles Bickford, included the standout track "The Singer's a Liar" and was supported by an extensive touring schedule. Later that year, they released the EP Is by Bus, produced by Lindsay Gravina; the title track achieved notable radio rotation. Following lineup adjustments, the band moved their base to Melbourne.
Their debut album, Hitch on the Leaves (1998), was met with critical acclaim for its fusion of shoegaze textures and indie rock sensibilities. In 1999, under Silvertone Records, they issued the EP Sleeveful of Slight featuring new members; production was primarily handled by Tim Whitten. The title track was praised for its infectious pop melody paired with abstract lyrical content.
In 2002, the EP Chapter 6: The Hard Luck Knights was released through Love + Mercy / Inertia Records, continuing to reflect the band's distinctive sound. Their sophomore album Z-Nation (2003), produced by Gravina along with Alonso and Berry, presented a richer sonic palette. Frontman Rory Cooke described this album as one they felt comfortable with despite receiving mixed critical responses.
Gaslight Radio performed alongside notable artists including The Breeders, Teenage Fan Club, Pavement, Spoon, Pulp, and The National. They also appeared at prominent Australian music festivals such as Big Day Out and Meredith Festival. Their 1997 music video for "Is By Bus" was directed by filmmaker Garth Davis; meanwhile, the video for "Change the Ending" was helmed by Ryley Brown, who served as director of photography on Hollywood’s Zero Dark Thirty.
Stephen Malkmus from Pavement was seen sporting a Gaslight Radio T-shirt during their US tours. In 2007, New Zealand’s Cut Off Your Hands covered "Is by Bus" during Triple J's Like a Version segment.
Following their disbandment in 2009, Martin Cooke went on to form Forty Thousand Sisters while Rory Cooke established the Eliza Band. Subsequent members included Nick Treweek (drums), Matt Davis (keyboards), Emily Fullerton (keyboards), Alex Jarvis (guitar), Peter Mclean (guitar), Michael Regan (bass), Cameron Teys (drums), and Matt Bailey (keyboards).
In June 2015, Emporio Armani selected "Change the Ending" from the album Good Heavens Mean Times for use in an advertising campaign—discovered through YouTube—with negotiations managed by Martin Cooke. This track was co-written by the Cooke brothers.
Martin Cooke currently leads Singer Mattress Cat; his forthcoming LP Subtropical Personality (2025) serves as a tribute to their former government housing community in Burleigh Park. Cooke highlighted that Gaslight Radio consistently valued artistic authenticity over commercial success and expressed satisfaction with the renewed attention their work has received.
Studio albums
- Hitch on the Leaves (September 1998) – Released through Lonely Guy Records / MDS (GUY004)
- Z-Nation (2003) – Issued by Love + Mercy/Inertia (Briar004)
- Magic Castle Broke Songs (compilation, August 2004) – Self-released (GR001)
- Good Heavens Mean Times (July 2006) – Distributed via Love + Mercy (Briar013)
EPs
- Torchin' Towns, Hankerin' Homes (August 1996) – Lonely Guy Records (GUY001)
- ...Our Dolelove (June 1997) – Lonely Guy Records / MDS (GUY002)
- Is by Bus (November 1997) – Lonely Guy Records / MDS (GUY003)
- Sleeveful Of Slight (December 1999) – Silvertone Records (SILV002)
- Chapter 6: The Hard Luck Knights (2002) – Love + Mercy/Inertia (Briar001)
- One Kid (2004) – Independently released
Singles
- "Guillotine Sun" (2009)
External links
- archived as of 28 August 2007
- "Gaslight Radio LinerNotes" archived from original on 3 March 2016
- "Gaslight Radio – Rediff Pages" archived from original on 2 January 2014
- "Gaslight Radio – Z-Nation" archived from original on 4 February 2005
- http://flavorwire.com/151955/fandom-hall-of-fame-musicians-wearing-other-musicians-t-shirts
- https://marlonwinterbourne1.bandcamp.com/album/merry-go-round-on-the-moonTemplate:Fix/category[permanent dead link]