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Powderfinger

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Powderfinger
Company typePrivate
IndustryMusic
Founded1989
Headquarters
Brisbane
,
Australia
ProductsRock music, albums, singles, DVDs
Number of employees
5 (band members)

Powderfinger was an Australian rock group that originated in Brisbane in 1989. The ensemble's lineup from 1992 until their disbandment in 2010 featured lead singer Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill. Their third studio release, Internationalist, climbed to No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart in September 1998. This achievement was followed by four straight albums reaching the top spot: Odyssey Number Five (2000), Vulture Street (2003), Dream Days at the Hotel Existence (2007), and Golden Rule (2009). Notable top-ten singles included "My Happiness" (2000), "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind" (2003), and "Lost and Running" (2007). Powderfinger earned eighteen ARIA Awards, placing them second only to Silverchair. Ten of their albums and DVDs achieved multi-platinum status, with Odyssey Number Five certified eight times platinum for shipments exceeding 560,000 copies.

After releasing their initial DVD, These Days: Live in Concert (2004), along with the compilation album Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994–2000 (2004), the band declared a hiatus in 2005. In 2007, they embarked on the national Across the Great Divide tour alongside Silverchair, supporting the album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. Powderfinger also took part in charitable initiatives, performing at the 2005 WaveAid event to assist those affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and a 2007 fundraiser at the Sydney Opera House for breast cancer awareness. The Across the Great Divide tour further advocated for Reconciliation Australia, drawing attention to health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. In April 2010, citing artistic satisfaction, they announced their dissolution after completing the Sunsets Farewell Tour. Their closing performance occurred on 13 November 2010. Subsequently, in November 2011, rock writer Dino Scatena collaborated with Powderfinger to produce the biography Footprints: the inside story of Australia's best loved band.

On 23 May 2020, Powderfinger reunited briefly for a single live-streamed charity event titled One Night Lonely.

1989–1993: Formation and early releases

Powderfinger was established in 1989 by Steven Bishop (formerly of the Eternal) on drums, John Collins (also from the Eternal) handling bass duties, and Ian Haug (previously with the Vibrants and the Fossils) on guitar and vocals. All members attended Brisbane Grammar School and initially performed as a cover band focusing on pub rock standards. The band's name was inspired by Neil Young’s track "Powderfinger." Despite gaining some local traction, they encountered difficulties early on, including being jeered during a heavy metal show in Newcastle in 1990.

After finishing high school, Collins and Haug enrolled at the University of Queensland, where Haug met Bernard Fanning in an economics course. Fanning joined as lead vocalist while also playing guitar and harmonica. Jon Coghill replaced Bishop on drums toward the end of 1990. Bishop later pursued musical projects in London before returning to Brisbane. The lineup was finalized in 1992 when Darren Middleton (formerly of The Pirates) joined as guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist. Initially focused on cover songs, the group gradually transitioned to composing original material.

In August 1992, Powderfinger independently released a seven-track self-titled EP—also referred to as the Blue EP—through their Finger label with distribution by MDS. Produced by Leroy Bath and Ian Taylor at Broken Toys Studios in Brisbane, it featured an early version of "Save Your Skin," which would later appear as a single from their debut album Parables for Wooden Ears released in 1994. Their second EP, titled Transfusion, came out in September 1993 under Polydor Records. At this point, they had not secured a full recording contract but were actively pursuing major label interest.

The Transfusion EP contained "Reap What You Sow," which reached number one on the ARIA Alternative Singles Chart, overtaking Nirvana’s "Heart-Shaped Box." The band produced their first music video for this song, directed by David Barker who continued to direct many of their subsequent videos. Following the success of this EP, Powderfinger signed a deal with Polydor Records.

1994–1998: Initial Releases

In January 1994, Powderfinger took part in the Big Day Out Tour. Their first album, Parables for Wooden Ears, was launched on 18 July through Polydor. Australian rock expert Ian McFarlane characterized the album as "intricate, carefully constructed rock" but also "heavy and serious," noting it did not live up to the potential shown in their earlier efforts. The production was handled by Tony Cohen (known for work with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and The Cruel Sea), yet the album struggled to gain significant radio exposure. Lead singer Fanning later referred to this era as the band's "dark dark days." To promote the album, they embarked on extensive touring, including appearances at Livid and Homebake festivals, and supported American metal group Pantera on their Driven Downunder Tour '94 alongside Silverchair. Despite releasing three singles—"Tail", "Grave Concern", and "Save Your Skin"—none managed to enter the ARIA Top 50.

In April 1995, Powderfinger recorded a five-track EP titled Mr Kneebone with producer Lachlan "Magoo" Goold (Regurgitator) at Melbourne’s Metropolis Studio.

Their sophomore album, Double Allergic, arrived on 2 September 1996 and marked their commercial breakthrough by reaching No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart. By 2007, it had achieved triple platinum status with shipments exceeding 210,000 copies. Co-produced by Tim Whitten alongside the band, this release presented a more assured and layered sound that cemented their standing within Australia’s alternative rock scene alongside contemporaries such as You Am I, Spiderbait, and Silverchair. Music journalist Ed Nimmervoll noted its move toward accessible rock built on melodic rhythms, highlighting its lasting appeal for both the band and listeners. Four singles were issued: "Pick You Up", "D.A.F.", "Living Type", and "Take Me In"; notably, "Take Me In" was accompanied by a video single featuring several other band videos. The album’s Canadian release in 1997 was supported by a tour across North America.

1998–2003: Acclaim and Commercial Triumph

On 7 September 1998, Powderfinger released their third studio album, Internationalist, which reached No. 1 and remained within the ARIA Top 50 for 101 weeks. Produced by Nick DiDia (known for work with Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam), it received praise from AllMusic's Jonathan Lewis for its lead single "The Day You Come", although he regarded much of the album as inconsistent. By 2007, shipments surpassed 350,000 units, earning five times platinum certification in Australia and extending into European markets. Internationalist was Powderfinger’s first album to secure ARIA Music Awards, winning "Album of the Year", "Best Rock Album", "Best Cover Art" (credited to Kevin Wilkins), and "Single of the Year" for "The Day You Come" at the 1999 ceremony. The single "Passenger" later garnered three nominations in 2000. The band’s politically charged messages within Internationalist drew both acclaim and criticism; guitarist Ian Haug underscored their commitment to addressing such topics responsibly.

Their fourth studio effort, Odyssey Number Five, released on 4 September 2000, also attained No. 1 on the charts. While Entertainment Weekly lauded its exploration of guitar-driven rock, AllMusic offered a more mixed assessment. This became their most commercially successful album to date, shipping 560,000 copies and achieving eight times platinum certification by 2004. It also reached No. 15 on New Zealand charts. At the 2001 ARIA Awards, it earned multiple honors including "Album of the Year", "Highest Selling Album", "Best Rock Album", "Best Cover Art" (Wilkins), and "Best Group".

Two tracks from Odyssey Number Five were featured on film soundtracks: "These Days" appeared in Two Hands (1999), while "My Kind of Scene" was included in Mission: Impossible 2 (2000). Singles released from this album comprised "My Kind of Scene", "My Happiness", "Like a Dog", and a double A-side release "The Metre / Waiting for the Sun". The track "My Happiness" peaked at No. 4 in Australia and No. 7 in New Zealand, becoming their highest-charting single in both countries. It won "Single of the Year" at the ARIA Awards, with additional nominations for other songs.

Powderfinger’s music consistently featured in Triple J’s annual Hottest 100 countdowns: in 1999 they placed four songs—"These Days" (#1), "Already Gone" (#25), "Good-Day Ray" (#68), and "Passenger" (#100); in 2000 they had two entries—"My Happiness" (#1) and "My Kind of Scene" (#3). In Triple J’s Hottest 100 of all time compiled in 2009, both "These Days" (No. 21) and "My Happiness" (No. 27) ranked among Australia’s top tracks behind only artists like Hilltop Hoods and Hunters & Collectors.

2003–2005: Revival of Rock

Powderfinger's album Vulture Street, released on 4 July 2003, marked their third chart-topping album in Australia and achieved a peak position of No. 17 in New Zealand. The recording sessions took place in early 2003, with the album's title referencing their original studio space located in Brisbane's West End. Bernard Zuel from The Sydney Morning Herald commended the album for its "grittier, louder" tone infused with "genuine energy," highlighting the significant contributions of Haug and Middleton. Simon Evans of musicOMH emphasized its "raw live atmosphere." Middleton explained that the band sought to evoke a 1970s rock essence, drawing inspiration from artists like Bowie, Zeppelin, and Kiss by utilizing vintage amplifiers, guitars, and analog tape recording techniques to achieve an authentic sound. Vulture Street earned four ARIA Awards in 2003: "Album of the Year," "Best Group," "Best Rock Album," and "Best Cover Art" credited to Steven Gorrow. The album featured singles such as "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind", "Since You've Been Gone", "Love Your Way", and "Sunsets", with multiple tracks receiving ARIA nominations across 2003 and 2004.

In September 2004, Powderfinger unveiled their inaugural live album, These Days: Live in Concert, initially released on CD and subsequently as a two-disc DVD in October. Accompanying this was the live single "Stumblin'". Later that month, they presented the compilation Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994–2000, which compiled singles from their first four albums alongside non-single tracks "Thrilloilogy" and "Belter", a reissued version of "These Days"—which had topped Triple J's Hottest 100 of 1999—and two new songs: "Bless My Soul" (also released as a single) and "Process This".

After the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in late 2004, Powderfinger took part in the January 2005 WaveAid benefit concert held in Sydney to support relief efforts. At this event, Fanning also performed lead vocals with The Wrights on "Evie, part 2". The Wrights subsequently issued this track as a single in March, with proceeds directed toward tsunami aid.

2005–2006: Individual Endeavors

Following their involvement in WaveAid, Powderfinger entered a hiatus starting early 2005. During this break, members engaged in separate musical projects; personally, Haug and Middleton welcomed children into their families, while Fanning began a relationship with his future spouse. Middleton’s band Drag had previously released the EP Gas Food Lodging in 2002, which was praised for its well-crafted jangly pop tunes and ballads. Their first full-length album, The Way Out, recorded in March 2005 and launched on 10 July, received mixed critiques—described as predominantly mid-tempo pop-rock with tasteful arrangements but lacking the impact of their earlier EP. Collins and Haug formed The Predators, alongside former Powderfinger drummer Steven Bishop; they released a six-track EP titled Pick Up the Pace in July 2006 and toured throughout Australia.

In October 2005, Fanning debuted his solo album Tea & Sympathy, which reached number one on Australian charts and climbed to No. 11 in New Zealand. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006, he secured four awards including "Album of the Year" for Tea & Sympathy and "Best Video" for its lead single "Wish You Well". This single also topped Triple J’s Hottest 100 poll for 2005. Towards the end of 2006, Fanning toured both the UK and North America prior to Powderfinger concluding their hiatus. He noted that unlike his work with Powderfinger where guitar parts were performed by other band members, he personally handled all guitar work on his solo record, emphasizing that “Powderfinger remains my primary commitment and I am eager to return.”

2007–2008: Comeback After Hiatus

In January 2007, Powderfinger commenced work on their sixth studio release, Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, which was officially launched on 2 June. The album debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, marking their fourth straight chart-topping record, and set a new benchmark for Australian digital sales with over 3,000 copies sold online. Critics regarded the album as less groundbreaking compared to its predecessor, Vulture Street. Cameron Adams from the Herald Sun HiT described it as "steady" rather than transformative, while Zuel labeled it "Powderfinger's first uninspiring album" but conceded their position as "the nation's foremost rock group." The lead single "Lost and Running" climbed to No. 5 in May, followed by "I Don't Remember" in August. Due to legal sensitivities surrounding the 2004 Palm Island death in custody case, the song "Black Tears" underwent modifications. On 18 August, the band performed in Karratha as part of Triple J's AWOL Series, sharing the stage with The Grates, Muph N Plutonic, and regional performers. During their stay, members Fanning and Coghill connected with Gumala Mirnuwarni, a local school dedicated to Indigenous education.

In June 2007, Powderfinger teamed up with Silverchair to launch the nine-week Across the Great Divide tour, which aimed to foster reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. From August through October, they toured all Australian state capitals along with fourteen regional towns and four concerts in New Zealand. The extensive tour comprised 34 shows across 26 locations and attracted approximately 220,000 attendees. On 1 December, a triple-DVD set capturing live performances in Melbourne alongside backstage footage was released under the tour's title. Each concert featured a supporting act followed by Silverchair and Powderfinger closing out the night; however, joint performances were limited to three occasions, including Daniel Johns and Fanning sharing vocals on The Who's "Substitute" in Sydney and Melbourne.

Dream Days at the Hotel Existence earned the ARIA Award for "Best Cover Art" in 2007 and garnered nominations for "Album of the Year," "Best Rock Album," and "Best Group." Its lead single "Lost and Running" was also nominated for "Single of the Year" and "Best Video." Despite these nods, Powderfinger did not take home any awards that year; instead, Silverchair's Young Modern and its single "Straight Lines" swept all five categories. Powderfinger performed "Lost and Running" during the ceremony on 28 October. The album’s third single, "Nobody Sees", was issued in December 2007. On 27 September 2008, they joined forces at the AFL Grand Final to perform "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind" alongside AC/DC's "Long Way to the Top." Additionally, their track "Drifting Further Away" featured in season five of Grey's Anatomy, broadening their international reach.

2009–2010: Golden Rule Release and Band Dissolution

Starting mid-June 2009, Powderfinger collaborated with producer DiDia on their seventh studio album, Golden Rule, which was released on 13 November. This album reached No. 1 on the ARIA albums chart, representing their fifth consecutive studio release to achieve this feat. The first single "All of the Dreamers" was unveiled in September, followed by "Burn Your Name" in December. That same month marked their return to the Homebake festival after a ten-year hiatus. In late January 2010, they participated in the Big Day Out tour. The third single from the album, "Sail the Widest Stretch", was released in April.

In April 2010, Powderfinger announced their decision to disband after a 21-year career, planning a final series of concerts dubbed the Sunsets Farewell Tour scheduled for September and October.

Drummer Coghill shared with Australian Times that while the farewell tour would be enjoyable, it would also carry an emotional weight. He indicated no immediate plans for forming a new band or pursuing solo work but intended to complete his academic studies and possibly collaborate with other musicians without engaging in extensive touring commitments. Powderfinger’s concluding performance took place at Brisbane’s River Stage on 13 November 2010 before an audience of 10,000; they closed with "These Days."

On 25 January 2011, they released an unreleased track titled "I'm on Your Side" as a charitable effort supporting the Premier's Flood Appeal following severe floods in Queensland. Proceeds were directed through their official website to aid relief operations. Later that year on 8 November, they issued a second greatest hits compilation called Footprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 2001–2011, which included two new songs. A combined two-disc package featuring both Fingerprints and Footprints was also made available. In November, Dino Scatena co-authored an official biography with the band entitled Footprints: the inside story of Australia's best loved band, which he began writing during their Sunsets Farewell Tour.

2010–present: Subsequent Activities

Bernard Fanning, formerly of Powderfinger, embarked on his second solo project Departures in late 2012 while in Los Angeles, collaborating with producer Joe Chiccarelli. Upon its June 2013 release, the album reached the top position on the ARIA Albums Chart. Middleton moved to Melbourne and partnered with Paul Annison of Red Door Sounds, known for producing Children Collide's April 2012 album Monument. By December that year, Middleton reported being "halfway through a new record." His independently issued album, Translations, came out in November 2013. During this period, Coghill pursued journalism on the Gold Coast, and Collins engaged in business ventures within Queensland.

In January 2013, Haug produced the second album for Brisbane folk duo Cole and Van Dijk titled Sins of a Li'l Later Kiss. Subsequently, he joined the Church, stepping in for Marty Willson-Piper, and contributed to their 2014 release Further/Deeper.

On 23 May 2020, Powderfinger reunited for a one-time live-streamed charity event on YouTube called One Night Lonely, with all proceeds directed to Beyond Blue and Support Act. A recording of the performance was issued as an EP on 25 May.

Later that year, on 31 August 2020, the band announced a compilation of previously unreleased tracks entitled Unreleased (1998–2010), which was released on 27 November 2020. The first single from this collection, "Day by Day," was unveiled on 18 September, followed by the release of the second single "Daybreak" on 13 November ahead of the album launch.

Musical style

Powderfinger's music merges elements of hard rock and alternative genres with a grounded, blues-inspired sound characterized by soaring riff-rock reminiscent of the 1970s, enhanced through 1990s studio production techniques. Their incorporation of folk, country, and soulful rhythms facilitated a broad range of stylistic exploration. Music historian Nimmervoll identified them as "one of Australia's most popular radio-friendly rock bands."

Their initial full-length release in 1994, Parables for Wooden Ears, did not receive as much acclaim as their earlier EP Transfusion. The follow-up album Double Allergic in 1996 demonstrated greater assurance and complexity, solidifying their status within alternative rock through accessible melodic grooves.

Middleton remarked in a 2007 interview that some tracks originally planned for Vulture Street bore too close a resemblance to material from Odyssey Number Five, with "Rockin' Rocks" marking a shift in the album's creative direction. This record was characterized as Powderfinger’s most aggressive sound to date. Critics noted that Vulture Street was rawer and louder compared to its predecessor while highlighting Fanning's lyrical strengths alongside guitarists Haug and Middleton’s commanding performances reminiscent of their debut work. Tracks such as "On My Mind" exhibited an AC/DC-style heaviness whereas "Love Your Way" integrated acoustic textures influenced by Led Zeppelin.

The album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence showcased a refined yet robust sound aligning with American rock radio aesthetics. Bernard Zuel likened this progression to an athlete gaining strength but sacrificing agility.

AllMusic’s Clayton Bolger observed that this album revisited sonic elements from Internationalist, moving away from the glam-infused style present in Vulture Street. He commended Fanning’s unique vocal delivery, the twin guitar interplay between Middleton and Haug, Collins' inventive bass work, and Coghill's dynamic drumming.

Nimmervoll described Golden Rule as a return to Powderfinger’s core identity following periods of experimentation and international production collaborations. The album was recorded domestically with producer Nick DiDia—who had been involved with their earlier acclaimed albums—and featured collective songwriting efforts with Bernard Fanning contributing most lyrics. The objective was to capture the essence of their live performances within a studio environment.

Philanthropy

Powderfinger consistently engaged in charitable endeavors and philanthropic activities. In 1996, they participated alongside Australian bands Custard and You Am I in Crowded House's farewell concert held at the Sydney Opera House, which supported Sydney Children's Hospital. This event, captured on the live album Farewell to the World, drew an audience estimated between 100,000 and 250,000 people, ranking among the largest live gatherings in Australia’s history.

In response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Powderfinger took part in the WaveAid concert in Sydney in January 2005, contributing to fundraising efforts that amassed A$2.3 million for relief operations—although a significant portion of these funds was allocated to administrative expenses.

The track "Black Tears" from their album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence initially contained lyrics addressing a death in custody case, which posed legal challenges due to potential prejudice toward an ongoing trial involving former Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley. Following intervention by Hurley’s legal representatives and Queensland officials, the contentious lyrics were excised from later releases.

In June 2007, Powderfinger joined forces with Silverchair for the Across the Great Divide Tour, aimed at supporting Reconciliation Australia’s initiatives to enhance Indigenous welfare and close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Later that year, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Powderfinger performed an exclusive concert at the Sydney Opera House for breast cancer patients and survivors alongside Silverchair and Missy Higgins; this event was subsequently aired on Foxtel’s MAX channel.

During their Sunsets Farewell Tour in September 2010, Powderfinger endorsed Yalari, an organization dedicated to providing educational access for Indigenous children. After the Queensland floods of 2010–2011, instead of reuniting for a benefit show, they contributed an unreleased song titled "I'm on Your Side" to support those affected by the disaster.

Final lineup

  • Ian Haug – lead guitar and backing vocals (1989–2010; 2020), lead vocals (1989)
  • John Collins – bass guitar (1989–2010; 2020)
  • Bernard Fanning – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, harmonica (1989–2010; 2020)
  • Jon Coghill – drums and percussion (1992–2010; 2020)
  • Darren Middleton – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1992–2010; 2020)

Other members

  • Steven Bishop – drums and percussion (1989–1992)

Throughout their career, Powderfinger collaborated with various musicians such as pianist Benmont Tench, who contributed to Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. Their touring and session lineup included Cameron McKenzie on guitar; percussionists Alex Pertout and Duane Billings; and keyboardist Lachlan Doley. Producer Tim Whitten was involved with Double Allergic, while American expatriate Nick DiDia produced Internationalist along with subsequent albums. In 2007, producer Rob Schnapf, recognized for his work with Beck, handled production duties for Dream Days at the Hotel Existence in Los Angeles. DiDia returned as producer for Golden Rule. Their debut music video for "Reap What You Sow" (1993) was directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Barker. Additional videos were created by Fifty Fifty Films and Head Pictures.

Awards and Recognitions

Powderfinger garnered notable acclaim within the Australian music scene, securing 18 ARIA Music Awards out of 47 nominations—ranking them third in total wins after Silverchair with 21 and John Farnham with 20. Their most successful year was 2001, when they received six awards from eight nominations for the album Odyssey Number Five and its associated singles. The songs "These Days" and "My Happiness" achieved the number one spot on the Triple J Hottest 100 in 1999 and 2000, respectively, while an additional 21 tracks appeared in the countdown over various years.

In 2009, Powderfinger was honored as one of Queensland’s Q150 Icons, recognized as "Influential Artists." Additionally, their rendition of "Pick You Up" at the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 was later highlighted by Double J as one of the top "7 great performances from the history of the ARIA Awards."

Discography

See also

External links

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