Infusion (band)
| Company type | Group or band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 in Wollongong, Australia |
| Founder | Jamie Stevens, Manuel Sharrad |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Infusion was an electronica group originating from Wollongong, Australia, established in 1995. The band gained recognition primarily for their ARIA Award-winning track "Girls Can Be Cruel" and their album Six Feet Above Yesterday.
1995–2002: Formation and Phrases and Numbers
Jamie Stevens and Manuel Sharrad, the founding members, first crossed paths in 1988 while attending high school in Wollongong. After relocating to Sydney, they were joined by Frank Xavier, also a native of Wollongong.
Their initial release came in 1995 with the single "Smokescreen / Lux" under Dance Pool, focusing initially on remixing work for other artists. By 1999, Infusion had signed with the underground electronic label Thunk Records and launched their debut album Phrases and Numbers in 2000. Their musical style shifted from rave and club influences toward incorporating more conventional pop song structures.
The single "Spike" represented a pivotal moment in their career, marking a move toward a darker, technology-infused sound that diverged from the dominant progressive house style of that era.
2003–2013: Six Feet Above Yesterday, All Night Sun Light, and disbandment
By October 2003, Infusion had moved to Melbourne and secured a contract with Sony BMG. In April 2004, they released "Girls Can Be Cruel", which received considerable airplay on alternative radio station Triple J and earned the ARIA Award for Best Dance Release at the 2004 ARIA Music Awards. Their album Six Feet Above Yesterday (2004) won Best Dance Release at the 2005 ARIA Awards and included charting singles such as "Better World" and "Natural."
In 2009, the band independently released All Night Sun Light through their label Futuresque. Infusion's final live performance took place in 2013 at Sydney's Enmore Theatre alongside Leftfield.
After Infusion
Frank Xavier continues to produce music under the name Francis Xavier on the Australian label Motorik! He is also part of the label’s rotating DJ ensemble, The Motorik Vibe Council, which features members from The Lost Valentinos, The Bang Gang Deejays, and Dreems. His production work includes contributions to Flight Facilities' debut single "Crave You."
Jamie Stevens has pursued solo projects released under his own name across multiple record labels.
2019 reunion
On 16 November 2019, following a seven-year break, Manuel Sharrad and Jamie Stevens reunited as Infusion for performances in Melbourne. They were accompanied by longtime collaborator Phil K, who stepped in for Frank Xavier. The trio performed at a laneway festival held at Bourke Place as well as at nightclub La Di Da, celebrating the organizer Sunny’s 22nd event.
Albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Phrases and Numbers |
|
- |
| Six Feet Above Yesterday |
|
61 |
| All Night Sun Light |
|
- |
Singles
| Track | Release Year | Highest Chart Positions | Source Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| "Smokescreen / Lux" | 1995 | – | Template:Non-album singles |
| "Green" | 1996 | – | Template:Non-album singles |
| "Flinch" | 1999 | – | Template:Non-album singles |
| "Spike" | 2001 | – | Phrases and Numbers |
| "Legacy" | 2001 | – | Phrases and Numbers |
| "Starwater (It's Alright)" | 2002 | – | Phrases and Numbers |
| "Dead Souls / Troika" | 2003 | – | Template:Non-album single |
| "Girls Can Be Cruel" | 2004 | 52 | Six Feet Above Yesterday |
| "Better World" | 2004 | 94 | Six Feet Above Yesterday |
| "The Careless Kind" | 2005 | – | Six Feet Above Yesterday |
| "Natural" | 2005 | 51 | Six Feet Above Yesterday |
| "Dogtown" | 2009 | – | All Night Sun Light |
| "So Soon" | 2009 | – | All Night Sun Light |
| "Try It On" | 2009 | – | All Night Sun Light |
| "Gotta Leave Now" | 2010 | – | All Night Sun Light |
| "2-Player Game" | 2011 | – | All Night Sun Light |
| "Love & Imitation" | 2011 | – | Six Feet Above Yesterday |
ARIA Music Awards
Infusion has secured two ARIA Music Awards out of four nominations, both in the category of Best Dance Release: initially in 2004 for the track "Girls Can Be Cruel" and subsequently in 2005 for the album Six Feet Above Yesterday.
| Year | Work | Award Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Smokescreen" | ARIA Award for Best Dance Release | |
| 2001 | Phrases & Numbers | ARIA Award for Best Dance Release | |
| 2004 | "Girls Can Be Cruel" | ARIA Award for Best Dance Release | |
| 2005 | Six Feet Above Yesterday | ARIA Award for Best Dance Release |