Moler
| Company type | Indie band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Helen Cattanach, Julien Poulson |
| Defunct | 2001 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2018 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music recordings (albums, EPs) |
Moler, originally called Snuff, is an Australian indie power pop ensemble established in Melbourne in 1993 by Helen Cattanach (bass, lead vocals) and Julien Poulson (lead guitar). The lineup included a rotation of drummers and occasionally a keyboard player. Their sole studio album, Golden Duck, was launched in October 1997 through Infectious/Mushroom Records, with production by Lindsay Gravina. Prior to their breakup in 2001, they issued eight EPs.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 1998, Golden Duck earned a nomination for Best Rock Album. That November, Moler appeared at the Mushroom 25 Live event. According to Australian music historian Ian McFarlane, the band "generated excitement within the local indie circuit through their blend of distorted guitar fuzz, driving rhythms, bold pop hooks, and Cattanach's vocals that alternated between gentle purring and assertive delivery." Moler reunited in 2018, releasing a new EP and performing intermittently since.
1993–1995: Snuff
The band started as the indie guitar pop trio Snuff in Melbourne in 1993, composed of Helen Cattanach (bass, lead vocals), David Peacock (drums), and Julien Poulson (lead guitar). Prior to this, Cattanach (formerly of T-Bones) and Poulson (ex-Snappers) played together in the Stiff Kittens, a group that toured Melbourne before moving to Hong Kong where they formed Kick House. In 1992, they revived Stiff Kittens in London with Rob "Viva" Lastdrager (drums, vocals) and Richard Webb (lead vocals, guitar), releasing the EP As You Walk on Psychic Records. After returning to Australia, Snuff put out their five-track EP Driven in 1994 via Fat Buddha Records with Lindsay Gravina as producer.
1995–2001: Moler
In early 1996, Snuff changed their name to Moler while retaining the same members and signed with Infectious/Mushroom Records. Their five-track EP On Special was released in June 1996, featuring the standout single "Shopping Trolley." A second five-track EP titled Coaster followed in September. The band toured alongside local groups such as Snout and Magic Dirt and supported international acts including Weezer, Everclear, Ash, and Garageland. Steve Boyle replaced Peacock on drums in early 1997; over time, the band underwent several drummer changes.
May 1997 saw the release of their fourth EP, Infatuation, containing four tracks; its title song received significant airplay on national youth broadcaster Triple J. Reviewer Marta from Tharunka observed that Boyle introduced a funkier rhythm to their catchy suburban style. Their debut album Golden Duck was released in October through Infectious/Mushroom/Sony with Gravina producing. Music writer Jeff Jenkins described it as "very good," highlighting its "blend of contrasts: partly power-pop, partly dreamy and melancholic; partly laid-back, partly ambitious."
After the album's release, Neil Lynch took over drumming duties from Boyle, and Matt Heydon (formerly of Nick Barker and the Reptiles) joined as keyboardist. At the 1998 ARIA Music Awards, Golden Duck was nominated for Best Rock Album. That November, Moler performed at Mushroom 25 Live. In early 2000, Mike Glenn (ex-Hoss) became their drummer prior to a U.S. tour in March. The band released their eighth EP Red & White Stripes in 2001 before disbanding later that year.
2001–2018: Subsequent Years
In 2007, The Stiff Kittens issued a compilation titled Greatest Trips through Killer Music. This collection included works by Cattanah and Poulson, featuring various line-ups with members such as Greg Baxter (bass, vocals), Lastdrager (drums, vocals), James McHugh (bass, vocals), and Webb (vocals, guitar).
2018–present: Reunion Period
Moler came together once more to celebrate their 25th anniversary with a performance on 23 November 2018 at The Curtin Hotel in Carlton, Melbourne. Alongside Cattanach and Poulson, Boyle and Peacock alternated duties on drums. In October 2019, the band released a digital EP titled Work, consisting of three tracks, and they have maintained occasional live appearances since then.
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Golden Duck |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Driven (credited to Snuff) |
|
| On Special |
|
| Coaster |
|
| Infatuation |
|
| Invite Me To Your Party |
|
| Red Light Disco |
|
| Delicious |
|
| Red & White Stripes |
|
| Work |
|
ARIA Music Awards
Since their inception in 1987, the ARIA Music Awards—organized by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)—honor outstanding achievements and innovation across all sectors of Australian music.
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| 1998 || Golden Duck || Best Rock Album || ||
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