Motor Ace
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Patrick "Patch" Robertson, Damian Birchall Costin, Matt Balfe, Dave Ong |
| Defunct | 2005 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 2005; reunited in 2018 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Motor Ace is an Australian alternative rock group that originated in Melbourne around 1998, emerging from the former band Snowblind. The lineup consists of Patrick "Patch" Robertson (vocals/guitar), Damian Birchall Costin (drums), Matt Balfe (bass), and Dave Ong (guitar).
1998–2000: Formation and early releases
In April 1999, Motor Ace recorded their initial self-titled EP under the guidance of producer Paul McKercher, recognized for his collaborations with You Am I and The Cruel Sea. They were among the young Australian artists signed to Festival Mushroom Records' Sputnik imprint, which launched in 1999. This EP included songs such as "Chairman of the Board" and "Chromakey." The band received significant airplay on Triple J, which bolstered their touring efforts. Throughout 2000, singles like "Death Defy"—which later became the theme for The Secret Life of Us—alongside "American Shoes" and "Hey Driver," were released, all entering the ARIAnet top 100 and gaining traction on Triple J.
2001–2004: Releases of Five Star Laundry and Shoot This
The band's first full-length album, Five Star Laundry, arrived in March 2001, produced by Craig Harnath and Chris Dickie at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne. Despite facing difficulties caused by a heatwave and power failures during recording, the album debuted at number 4 on the Australian ARIA Chart. Vocals were finalized just prior to mixing sessions in London with Chris Sheldon, known for his work with Foo Fighters.
Their sophomore album, Shoot This, was released in July 2002, debuting at number one and earning gold status. Singles such as "Carry On" and "Keeping Secrets" secured spots within the ARIA top 30. After extensive touring that included performances in Japan, the band took a break in 2003 due to pressures affecting Robertson, who manages Crohn's disease. During this hiatus, Costin established Fat Guy Management; Robertson concentrated on songwriting and production from Fitzroy; Ong pursued a country-inspired solo project under the name Joni Lightning. Despite the pause, management confirmed that Motor Ace had not officially split.
2005: Release of Animal and disbandment
Following the release of lead single "Tomorrow's Gone" in May 2005, Motor Ace put out their third album, Animal, in August 2005. The follow-up single "A Little Closer" was released on 12 September 2005. The album reached number 21 on the ARIA Charts.
In September 2005, the group announced plans to disband by the end of the year, wrapping up their career with farewell concerts held in Melbourne and Perth during December.
2006–2017: Activities after disbanding
After disbandment, members remained on good terms. Robertson moved into professional composition for film and television and collaborated with Aesop. Ong occasionally performed with his Joni Lightning project before shifting to work on oil rigs. Costin continued within the music sector by founding 123 Agency. Balfe played guitar with Melbourne’s Five Mile Sniper while also working for Yarra Valley Water. Both Robertson and Costin became part of Nighthawk, a band formed in 2016.
2018: Reunion
In August 2018, Motor Ace announced plans to reunite for a tour scheduled between March and April 2019 featuring original members Robertson, Ong, Costin, and Balfe. Concurrently, they reissued vinyl editions of Five Star Laundry and Shoot This, along with releasing an online compilation titled B-Sides & Demos.
In March 2022, Motor Ace unveiled "Knock Knock," marking their first single release in seventeen years.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia |
New Zealand | |||
| Five Star Laundry |
|
4 | — |
|
| Shoot This |
|
1 | 40 |
|
| Animal |
|
21 | — | |
Compilations
| Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Demos and B Sides |
|
Video albums
| Title | Release Information |
|---|---|
| The Time the Place |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Motor Ace |
|
Singles
| Title | Year Released | Highest AUS Chart Position | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "American Shoes" | 2000 | 66 | Five Star Laundry |
| "Death Defy" | 2000 | 66 | Five Star Laundry |
| "Hey Driver" | 2001 | 53 | Five Star Laundry |
| "Carry On" | 2002 | 13 | Shoot This |
| "Keeping Secrets" | 2002 | 30 | Shoot This |
| "Tomorrow's Gone" | 2005 | 41 | Animal |
| "A Little Closer" | 2005 | 99 | Animal |
| "Knock Knock" | 2022 | — | Template:Tba |
ARIA Music Awards
Since their inception in 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements and creativity within the Australian music industry.
| Year | Work | Award Category | Outcome | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Five Star Laundry | Best Rock Album | Nominated | [1] |
| 2002 | Shoot This | Best Rock Album | Nominated | [1] |