Powder Monkeys
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Tim Hemensley, John Nolan |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Punk rock, indie rock music |
| Website | www |
Powder Monkeys were a Melbourne-based Australian band known for their fusion of punk and indie rock styles, established in 1991. The group was founded by former Bored! members Tim Hemensley (bass and lead vocals) and John Nolan (lead guitar). Over their active years, they produced three studio albums: Smashed on a Knee (1994), Time Wounds all Heels (1996), and Lost City Blues (2000). The band ceased activities in 2002. Tragically, Hemensley passed away in 2003 due to a heroin overdose.
1980s: Before Powder Monkeys
In 1986, Hemensley initiated the punk outfit GOD, which gained recognition with their 1987 single "My Pal". The band dissolved in 1989 shortly before releasing their debut album. Later that year, both Hemensley and Nolan joined Bored!, contributing to the EP Take It out on You (1990) released by Dog Meat Records, before departing after touring Europe. Subsequently, Nolan became involved with Hoss. Meanwhile, Adyn Hibberd had formed the garage punk group the Philisteins in 1985, relocating the band to Melbourne by 1990.
1991-2002: Powder Monkeys Era
The Powder Monkeys lineup was completed in 1991 with Hemensley, Hibberd, Nolan, Timmy Jack Ray on drums, and Jed Sayers playing harmonica. Their music combined elements of punk, rock'n'roll, and heavy metal, earning them acclaim within punk circles. Their initial single "Yin Yang" was released in 1993 via Dog Meat Records; Hibberd left the band soon after. Their debut album, Smashed on a Knee (1994), captured their raw vigor and established them as key players in the independent music scene.
Throughout 1994, the band intensified their live shows, opening for acts such as Deniz Tek Group and Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. Following Sayers’ exit, they continued as a three-piece ensemble and performed at Big Day Out Melbourne in 1995. That year also saw the release of the EP Straight Until Morning, which was recorded live for Triple J. Between late 1995 and early 1996, they supported Henry Rollins and Radio Birdman on tour.
Their sophomore album Time Wounds all Heels (1996), produced by Chris Thompson, received critical praise as a quintessential representation of their gritty blues thrash sound. During this period, Hemensley and Ray collaborated with Peter Wells Band on the album Go Ahead Call the Cops (1996). Although American Recordings showed interest in distributing their work stateside along with touring plans, no formal agreement was reached.
After a break in 1997, Powder Monkeys returned with the single "Get the Girl Straight". The following year featured extensive touring and the release of a live album titled Blood Sweat & Beers (1999), which was launched in Spain and the UK. Their support slot for Swedish garage rock band the Hellacopters led to a European tour in 1999 during which they recorded split singles alongside the Hellacopters.
The third studio album Lost City Blues, produced by Fred Estby and released on their White Jazz label in 2000, was not distributed within Australia. Additionally, an EP named Talk Softly & Carry a Big Shtick was recorded and issued exclusively in Spain. After Ray’s departure from drums, Todd McNear took over percussion duties. In 2001, Nolan endured a life-threatening heart attack linked to heroin use but recovered sufficiently to contribute to the soundtrack for Dirty Deeds and perform final shows supporting The Dictators and Dead Moon in 2002.
Hemensley’s untimely death from a heroin overdose at age 31 in 2003 marked a significant loss for Melbourne’s rock community. Posthumously, their remaining recordings were compiled into Outta Control Rock'n'Roll (2005), which included live performances from Greenway's wake alongside covers such as the Stooges’ "Cock in My Pocket." In tribute to Hemensley’s legacy, Nolan and Ray briefly revived Powder Monkeys in 2013 with guest vocalists.
John Nolan died in December 2021.
Studio albums
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Smashed on a Knee |
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| Time Wounds all Heels |
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| Lost City Blues |
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Live albums
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Blood Sweat & Beers |
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| Live...Live...Live |
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Extended plays
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Straight Until Morning |
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| The Supernova That Never Quits |
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| Talk Softly & Carry a Big Shtick |
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| Outta Control Rock'n'Roll |
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