Regurgitator
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Quan Yeomans, Ben Ely, Martin Lee |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Asia |
Key people | Quan Yeomans, Ben Ely, Martin Lee, Peter Kostic, Seja Vogel, Shane Rudken |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs |
Regurgitator is an alternative rock group originating from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, established in late 1993 by Quan Yeomans (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Ben Ely (bass, keyboards, vocals), and Martin Lee (drums). Their first full-length album, Tu-Plang, debuted in May 1996. This was followed by Unit in November 1997, which earned triple platinum status. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1998, Unit secured five accolades, including Album of the Year and Best Alternative Album. Their third studio release, ...Art, came out in August 1999.
Two singles from their catalog broke into the top 20 charts: "Polyester Girl" (May 1998) reached No. 14 in Australia and No. 16 in New Zealand; "Happiness (Rotting My Brain)" (July 1999) also attained No. 16 in New Zealand. After Martin Lee's departure late in 1999, he was succeeded by Peter Kostic, known for his work with Front End Loader and the Hard-Ons. Additional contributors over time included Seja Vogel (Sekiden) and Shane Rudken (Ponyloaf).
Their fourth album, Eduardo and Rodriguez Wage War on T-Wrecks (July 2001), marked their final release under Warner before mutually parting ways. Following this, Regurgitator independently issued four albums: Mish Mash!, produced during the satirical multimedia reality show Band in a Bubble; Love and Paranoia, recorded in Rio de Janeiro after licensing the concept for a U.S. adaptation; Super Happy Fun Times Friends, created over three weeks within their home studio; and Dirty Pop Fantasy, recorded in Hong Kong prior to announcing a hiatus in December 2013. The band recommenced live shows by mid-2015.
Recording sessions at Greg's Byron Bay & Wild Mountain Sound studios culminated in their ninth album, Headroxx (2018). Work on new material restarted in 2022, resulting in the release of Invader in April 2024.
In addition to their main output, they launched a side project titled Regurgitator's Pogogo Show, which produced a children's music album released in 2019.
1993–1995: Formation and early development
Regurgitator originated as a three-member indie rock outfit featuring Quan Yeomans on guitar and vocals, Ben Ely handling bass and vocals, and Martin Lee on drums. All three were active participants in various local bands such as Pangaea and Zooerastia before Regurgitator became their primary focus.
Their first release was a self-titled EP issued in October 1994. As Brisbane's underground music scene expanded, major labels like Warner Music Group aimed to broaden their Australian artist lineups. Michael Parisi, an A&R representative initially interested in Ely’s band Pangaea, discovered Regurgitator through demo tapes provided by their manager Paul Curtis. Parisi ultimately chose to sign Regurgitator due to their unique sound that distinguished them from Pangaea.
Early in 1995, Regurgitator secured a deal with Warner, leading to the re-release of their debut EP in February, which climbed to number 45 on the ARIA singles chart. They quickly followed up with the New EP containing radio-friendly tracks such as "Track 1" and "Blubber Boy", which peaked at number 30 on the ARIA charts.
1996: Tu-Plang
Following the success of their EP, the group produced their debut full album in Thailand, utilizing a limited budget at a well-known studio in Bangkok. The album Tu-Plang, which translates to 'Jukebox' in Thai, fused elements of rock and hip hop, prominently showcased in the track "Kong Foo Sing". Additionally, it incorporated influences from techno, musak, surf rock, and dub styles. Yeomans attracted notice for his daring songwriting, particularly with the contentious track "I Sucked a Lot of Cock to Get Where I Am", which encountered attempts at radio bans.
Tu-Plang reached number 3 on the ARIA Charts, achieved platinum status, and secured awards for Best Alternative Release and Breakthrough Artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 1996.
1997–1998: Unit
The band's sophomore album was recorded in a Brisbane warehouse nicknamed "The Dirty Room". Moving away from their previous rock-oriented approach, they adopted a more electronic and pop-infused sound. This transformation was highlighted in the album’s opening song, "I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your New Stuff". The lead single, "Everyday Formula", debuted in October 1997 and climbed to number 41 on the ARIA Charts. Released the following month, Unit peaked at number 4 on the ARIA Charts. Tracks such as "Black Bugs", "Polyester Girl", and "! (The Song Formerly Known As)" received widespread radio rotation. Unit became Regurgitator’s most commercially successful release, earning triple platinum certification across Australia. Despite its success, some original fans were divided over the band’s stylistic evolution.
During the late 1997 tour supporting Unit, drummer Martin Lee mysteriously vanished before a concert at the University of Western Australia. He was later discovered unconscious and remained comatose for a week. Jon Coghill from Brisbane’s Powderfinger stepped in to complete the tour dates. However, this substitution led to friction between the two bands due to contrasting social backgrounds.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 1998, Unit received five accolades, including Album of the Year and Producer of the Year.
1999–2000: ...art and Martin Lee's departure
After engaging in side projects during 1998—Quan collaborating with Happyland and Ben Ely reviving Pangaea—the band moved to Wategoes Beachhouse in Byron Bay to work on their third studio album, ...art. Released in August 1999, it attained a peak position of number 2 on the ARIA Chart. Creative tensions surfaced as Lee felt sidelined when Yeomans opted for a different recording setting despite efforts to reconstruct "The Dirty Room" studio. Ely admitted that longstanding conflicts existed, with Lee feeling alienated since the Unit sessions and frequently supplanted by drum machines. Following prolonged absences throughout recording and touring phases, Lee exited the group in late 1999 citing 'creative differences'. Subsequently, he formed The Boat Show alongside Matthew Strong after Custard disbanded. Peter Kostic (known for Front End Loader and Hard-Ons) joined as Lee’s replacement later that year.
2001–2003: Eduardo and Rodriguez Wage War on T-Wrecks and Jingles
The band's fourth studio album, Eduardo and Rodriguez Wage War on T-Wrecks, released in July 2001, shifted towards a hip-hop style and was both recorded and produced by Yeomans and Ely in London. During this era, tensions grew with Warner Music due to the label's difficulty in accepting the band's refusal to pursue mainstream commercial success. Consequently, both parties mutually decided to terminate their contract, which led to the issuance of the compilation album Jingles.
2004–2005: Band in a Bubble, Mish Mash!, and #?*!
In 2004, Regurgitator embarked on the groundbreaking Band in a Bubble project, a reality television-inspired event backed by Australian music channel Channel V. The band created their first release on new label Valve Records within a transparent studio located at Federation Square, Melbourne, where the public could observe them live, and the process was broadcast continuously. Alongside the trio, producer Magoo, engineer Hugh Webb, and Channel V presenter Jabba were also enclosed inside.
The album’s lead single, "The Drop", was issued in October 2004 ahead of the November release of Mish Mash!, which reached number 52 on the ARIA Charts.
In August 2005, they released the #?*! EP containing B-sides from the Mish Mash! sessions.
2006: Hiatus
Regurgitator entered a hiatus in 2006 as Ely focused on his project Jump 2 Light Speed while Yeomans pursued solo endeavors. The Band in a Bubble concept was licensed for adaptation by Initial TV in the United Kingdom. In 2007, Yeomans collaborated with Sydney artist Spod on the EP Blox.
2007–2010: Love and Paranoia and Distractions
The band regrouped in 2007 to record their sixth album, Love and Paranoia, in Rio de Janeiro. Released on 15 September 2007, it peaked at number 74 on the ARIA Charts and marked the addition of keyboardist Seja Vogel. The album embraced an ’80s-inspired keyboard-driven pop rock sound with singles such as "Blood and Spunk" and "Romance of the Damned".
In 2008, Regurgitator toured both the UK and Asia—their first UK tour in five years—while Ely and Yeomans launched individual projects: "Ben Ely's Radio 5" and Yeomans’s solo debut album Quan: The Amateur, recorded in Hong Kong.
By May 2010, Regurgitator revealed intentions to release music progressively instead of traditional albums. They followed up with the single "Making No Sense" in August 2010, then released the four-track EP Distractions in September, followed by another single, "Nrob Bmud", in December.
2011–2013: Super Happy Fun Times Friends and Dirty Pop Fantasy
In July 2011, "One Day" was unveiled as the lead single from their seventh studio album Super Happy Fun Times Friends, which debuted at No. 18 on the AIR chart and No. 91 on the ARIA chart.
June 2012 saw Regurgitator announce their Australian tour titled RetroTech, during which they performed their first two albums, Tu Plang and Unit, in their entirety.
Early in 2013, the band worked on their eighth studio album while based in Hong Kong. Released on 6 September 2013 through Valve Records and streamed beforehand on Deezer, Dirty Pop Fantasy reflected challenges stemming from members living apart—Ely in Melbourne and Yeomans in Hong Kong—which they cited during a keynote at the Big Sound music conference as impacting productivity. On 18 September 2013, they declared an indefinite hiatus following a national Australian and Asian tour concluding in December 2013. This decision was influenced by Yeomans welcoming his first child. Their final performance before this break took place at Beijing’s Converse Rubber Tracks event on 7 December 2013 alongside Chinese band New Pants.
2014–2018: Hiatus and HEADROXX
Following an 18-month break that began in September 2013, Regurgitator announced in May 2015 their upcoming Cheap Imitations tour, which took place across Australia between August and September of that year.
In April 2016, the band performed at the National Gallery of Victoria, presenting a live rendition of the Velvet Underground's debut album, The Velvet Underground and Nico, as part of the Andy Warhol-Ai Weiwei exhibition. The lineup featured Yeomans, Ely, and Kostic, with Seja Vogel contributing on keyboards and vocals, alongside Mindy Meng Wang playing the guzheng. Additionally, on 22 April, they incorporated a cover of Prince's "When Doves Cry" into their performance.
October 2017 saw Regurgitator deliver a unique one-off concert at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre during the EB Games Expo, commemorating the 20th anniversary of their 1997 album Unit. This event was recorded and subsequently released on DVD in 2019.
The band's ninth studio album, Headroxx, was launched in 2018.
2019–2023: Regurgitator's Pogogo Show, Quarter Pounder and Touring
In 2019, Regurgitator introduced a children's music project called Regurgitator's Pogogo Show. Their debut release under this initiative, The Really Really Really Really Boring Album, came out on 1 March 2019 and received a nomination for Best Children's Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019.
Later that year, in October 2019, they issued a greatest hits collection titled Quarter Pounder: 25 Years of Being Consumed, which was supported by a nationwide tour. In May 2023, the band toured Australia marking the 25th anniversary of Unit, sharing the stage with Custard, DZ Deathrays, Butterfingers, and Glitoris. In October 2023, Regurgitator served as the opening act for Weezer during two Australian dates and also supported Kiss at their final Australian performance held at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
2024–present: Invader
Regurgitator released their eleventh studio album, Invader, in 2024. This release was followed by the It's So Invasive Tour, encompassing 23 shows from Hobart in Tasmania to Cairns in Queensland. The tour featured supporting artists such as Party Dozen, the Subculture Clique, Displeasure, Cry Club, Wolfpack, Monster Zoku Onsomb!, and Dubbzone.
Looking ahead to late 2025, the band plans to embark on the Retrospective Singles Tour.
Members
Current members
- Quan Yeomans – vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Ben Ely – vocals, bass, keyboards
- Peter Kostic – drums
Current touring musicians
- Sarah Lim – keytar, guitar, bass
Former members
- Martin Lee – drums
- Seja Vogel – keyboards, backing vocals
Former touring musicians
- Jon Coghill – drums
- Shane Rudken – keytar
Guest musicians
- Tylea – backing vocals on "Feels Alright" and "I Love Tommy Mottola"
- Kram – additional drums on "Strange Human Being" and "I Love Tommy Mottola"
- Shane Rudken – additional keyboards on "Strange Human Being"
- Cameron Potts – drums on Distractions
Discography
- Tu-Plang (1996)
- Unit (1997)
- ...art (1999)
- Eduardo and Rodriguez Wage War on T-Wrecks (2001)
- Mish Mash! (2004)
- Love and Paranoia (2007)
- Super Happy Fun Times Friends (2011)
- Dirty Pop Fantasy (2013)
- Headroxx (2018)
- The Really Really Really Really Boring Album
(as Regurgitator's Pogogo Show) (2019) - Invader (2024)
AIR Awards
Since 2006, the Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) have annually acknowledged and honored achievements within Australia's independent music industry.
|- | 2020 | The Really Really Really Really Boring Album | Best Independent Children's Album or EP | |- | 2025 | Regurgitator | Best Independent Punk Album or EP | |-
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments and creativity across various Australian music styles. Regurgitator has secured 7 wins from a total of 23 nominations.
|- | 1995 || Regurgitator || Best Alternative Release || |- | rowspan="8"| 1996 ||rowspan="4"| Tu-Plang || Album of the Year || |- | Best Group || |- | Breakthrough Artist - Album || |- | Best Alternative Release || |- | Magoo and Regurgitator for Tu-Plang || Producer of the Year || |- | Magoo for Tu-Plang || Engineer of the Year || |- | New (EP) || Highest Selling Single || |- | Rockin' Doodles, Quan Yeomans, Ben Ely for Tu-Plang || Best Cover Art || |- | rowspan="8"| 1998 ||rowspan="3"| Unit || Album of the Year || |- | Best Group || |- | Best Alternative Release || |- | Jeremy Hydnes, George Pinn for "Polyester Girl" || Best Video || |- | Quan Yeomans for "Black Bugs" || Best Video || |- | Magoo and Regurgitator for Unit || Producer of the Year || |- | Magoo for Unit || Engineer of the Year || |- | The Shits for Unit || Best Cover Art || |- | rowspan="4"| 1999 || Unit || Highest Selling Album || |- |rowspan="2"| "! (The Song Formerly Known As)" || Single of the Year || |- | Best Group || |- | Tony McGrath for "! (The Song Formerly Known As)" || Best Video || |- | 2000 || Paul Butler, Scott Walton for "Happiness (Rotting My Brain)" || Best Video || |- | 2019 || The Really Really Really Really Boring Album || Best Children's Album || |}
Helpmann Awards
Since its inception in 2001, the Helpmann Awards, presented by industry organization Live Performance Australia, have celebrated excellence in live performance and performing arts throughout Australia. Note: The ceremonies in 2020 and 2021 were not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
! |- | rowspan="2"| 2011 | rowspan="2"| Regurgitator and Sydney Opera House - Akira | Best Australian Contemporary Concert | | rowspan="2"| [1] |- | Best Original Score | |-
External links
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