Grinderman

Grinderman

Company type	Rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	2006 in London, England
Founder	Nick Cave
Headquarters	London , England
Area served	International
Key people	Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn P. Casey, Jim Sclavunos
Products	Music albums, live performances

Grinderman was a rock ensemble with Australian-American roots, established in London in 2006. The group consisted of Nick Cave (vocals, guitar, organ, piano), Warren Ellis (tenor guitar, electric mandolin, violin, viola, guitar, backing vocals), Martyn P. Casey (bass, guitar, backing vocals), and Jim Sclavunos (drums, percussion, backing vocals).

Initially conceived as a side venture from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and originally named Mini Seeds, the project was initiated by Cave as an outlet to "break free from the pressures of The Bad Seeds." The band's name was drawn from the song "Grinder Man Blues" by Memphis Slim, which Cave started singing during early rehearsals. Their first album, Grinderman (2007), was met with widespread critical praise. This success was followed by their sophomore and final record, Grinderman 2 (2010), which also received favorable reviews.

Following an extensive tour supporting Grinderman 2, the band dissolved after their performance at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria, Australia, in December 2011 to concentrate on forthcoming projects with The Bad Seeds. Jim Sclavunos later expressed ambiguity regarding the band's continuation. Grinderman regrouped for both weekends of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in Indio, California, in April 2013. In July 2019, Nick Cave hinted on his Red Hand Files platform about a potential third album as part of an incomplete trilogy.

2006–2008: Formation and debut album

Following a 2005 tour with The Bad Seeds supporting their double release Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus, frontman Nick Cave began writing new material on guitar that featured a more unrefined sound compared to The Bad Seeds’ style. To develop this fresh material, Cave assembled Grinderman with fellow Bad Seeds members Warren Ellis, Jim Sclavunos, and Martyn P. Casey. This group had previously worked together on demos for Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus. Their initial demos were recorded at Metropolis Studios in London and laid the groundwork for their self-titled debut album. Production was handled by longtime collaborator Nick Launay in April at RAK Studios, with mixing completed later that year back at Metropolis Studios.

The first single, "Get It On", was released on 8 January 2007. This was followed by the second single "No Pussy Blues" on 19 February to build anticipation ahead of the album launch. Released in March 2007, Grinderman garnered acclaim for its raw intensity reminiscent of Cave’s earlier post-punk band The Birthday Party. At the same time, the band introduced their official website featuring The Grinderman Podcast, a series highlighting recording sessions; however, only five episodes were made available. Grinderman’s live debut took place at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival in Somerset the following month. On 30 April, they issued their third single from the album, "(I Don't Need You To) Set Me Free". The group appeared on the BBC program Later... with Jools Holland on 11 May performing "Honey Bee (Let's Fly to Mars)" and "No Pussy Blues." Their UK promotional activities concluded with a singular show at The Forum on 20 June.

Grinderman made their first appearance on US network television performing "Honey Bee (Let's Fly to Mars)" on the CBS Late Show with David Letterman on 23 July 2007. The following day they supported The White Stripes at Madison Square Garden before continuing performances in Chicago and San Francisco. Subsequently, they toured Australian venues opening for a Nick Cave solo show featuring the same band members. In 2008, Grinderman headlined the Roskilde Festival.

In addition to their albums and tours, Grinderman contributed two original tracks—"Dream (Song for Finn)" and "Song for Frank"—to Wim Wenders' film Palermo Shooting released in 2008. Moreover, "Honey Bee (Let's Fly to Mars)" was used during the closing credits of HBO’s True Detective, Season 1, Episode 4 ("Who Goes There?"), which aired on 9 February 2014.

2009–2011: Grinderman 2 and disbandment

Following the members' involvement with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds' fourteenth studio album, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (2008), the group went on hiatus. After completing The Bad Seeds' 2008 tour, Cave confirmed plans for a second Grinderman record, highlighting that it would feature a markedly different style. In an interview with XFM, Cave emphasized that Grinderman intended to adopt a more earnest tone, prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial appeal. By September 2009, Warren Ellis revealed that Grinderman 2 was finalized, characterizing it as a blend of "stoner rock meets Sly Stone through Amon Düül," offering a rich and psychedelic variety.

A European tour was scheduled for autumn 2010, including dates across the UK, Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia, followed by a North American tour during winter 2010. The album Grinderman 2 was released in September 2010, with its lead single "Heathen Child" premiering on 6 September.

In January 2011, Grinderman performed at the Big Day Out festival and MONA FOMA. Additionally, they were chosen by Portishead to appear at the ATP I'll Be Your Mirror festival held at Alexandra Palace in London in July 2011.

On 11 December 2011, after their set at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria, Nick Cave announced on stage that Grinderman had come to an end: "that's it for Grinderman. It's over. We'll maybe see you all in another ten years." Later, Jim Sclavunos told FasterLouder that their time as Grinderman had concluded and they were refocusing on The Bad Seeds, leaving the band's future uncertain.

2013–present: Reunion and prospects

Grinderman reunited to perform during both weekends of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California on 12 and 19 April 2013, sharing the lineup with The Bad Seeds. Earlier that year, Cave explained the reunion via Twitter: "Every other shitty band is doing it, why not someone who's actually good".

In 2025, drummer Jim Sclavunos spoke about the possibility of another reunion: "I think me and Warren are very keen. It’s down to Nick if he dares, if he’s man enough, if he’s Grinderman enough! It remains to be seen, but it’s an awful lot of fun to play in a small ensemble. Grinderman compels you to play differently as a four-piece compared to a large band like the Bad Seeds. Both are great but distinct. I hope we do it again."

Discography

• Grinderman (2007)
• Grinderman 2 (2010)

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual event organized by the Australian Recording Industry Association.

! |- |2011 | Grinderman 2 | Best Adult Alternative Album | | |-

J Awards

The J Awards are yearly Australian music awards initiated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth radio station Triple J in 2005.

|- | 2010 | "Heathen Child" | Australian Video of the Year |