Not Enough Rope
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Not Enough Rope was a folk-rock ensemble consisting of five members, originating from Perth, Western Australia, and active between 1994 and 2001.
Biography
Established in 1994 at Perth’s Kalamunda Hotel, Not Enough Rope rapidly grew from a trio to a quintet, holding rehearsals primarily in the orchard packing shed owned by their original bassist, Adrian Conti. The band’s initial recognition came through supporting Things of Stone and Wood in 1995, and they notably shared an impromptu onstage moment with Jewel following her headline performance that evening.
The band’s name, Not Enough Rope, was conceived during a practice session in Kealley’s garage. It was inspired by a broken makeshift rope clothesline, reflecting the group’s unique musical identity and approach.
Critics early on drew parallels between their sound and that of The Pogues, highlighting its blend of melancholy and wistfulness tempered with subtle sweetness.
Their recorded works feature the 1996 debut EP I'll Tell You When I See You, followed by the 1998 album Fingerpistol alongside the My Way EP, and culminating with the 2001 album Paying Off My Radials, which includes a rendition of The Triffids’ "Wide Open Road".
After disbanding, members embarked on diverse artistic and professional ventures: Matt Kealley became part of the acoustic folk rock group Jigger; Matt Galligan transitioned into professional photography; Todd Lynch and Michael D. Lane formed King Brown and Shanks Pony, with Lynch continuing his involvement. Michael Lane performs regularly as a solo artist in Fremantle and contributes as a community music facilitator. Byron Mavrick shifted to a career as a Chartered Accountant based in Perth and led a team during the 2012 Rottnest Channel Swim.
Members
- Matt Galligan – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin
- Matt Kealley – drums, percussion, harmonica, backing vocals
- Todd Lynch – accordion, piano organ, didgeridoo
- Byron Mavrick – lead guitar (founding member)
- Adrian Conti – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin (founding member)
- Mike Lane – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin
- Steve Bow – audio engineer
Albums
- Fingerpistol (1998)
- Paying Off My Radials (2001)
EPs
- I'll Tell You When I See You (May 1996)AUS #97
Singles
- "My Way" (24 May 1998)