Rocket Science (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | June 1, 1998 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Alternative rock music, studio albums, live albums |
Rocket Science is an alternative rock group originating from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, established in June 1998. During their initial period, they produced four studio albums: Welcome Aboard the 3C10 (2000), Contact High (2002), Eternal Holiday (2004), and Different Like You (2008), with the final album released shortly before their disbandment. The band reunited in 2014 and has since delivered two additional albums: Snake (2019) and Push Play (2023).
Both Contact High and Eternal Holiday achieved positions on the ARIA Albums Chart, peaking at numbers 60 and 67 respectively. Additionally, the single "Being Followed" from Contact High reached number 91 in the triple j Hottest 100 of 2002.
1998–2003: Formation and Early Releases
Rocket Science was formed in Melbourne in June 1998, featuring Dave Gray (The Hogs) on semi-acoustic bass, Paul Maybury (Freeloaders) handling guitar duties, Roman Tucker (The Martians) as lead vocalist and keyboardist, and Kit Warhurst (Velvet Tongue) on drums. Their first single, "Burn in Hell," came out in 1999.
Their debut album, Welcome Aboard the 3C10, was launched on 1 May 2000 through Modular Recordings. The album included several tracks recorded during their initial rehearsal sessions.
Their sophomore effort, Contact High, released on 11 February 2002, climbed to No. 60 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Michael Dwyer from The Age praised it as a polished evolution of their distinctive sound that merges elements of campy horror and quirky sci-fi cinema with garage punk and retro keyboard tones. Carmine Pascuzzi of MediaSearch highlighted the enhanced production quality that emphasized robust rock rhythms alongside electronic influences, noting the band's drive to create catchy yet authentic rock 'n' roll tunes.
2004–2007: Challenges and Eternal Holiday
By April 2004, Rocket Science had completed recording their third album; however, Roman Tucker experienced a severe fall resulting in a ten-day induced coma, leading to the postponement of scheduled shows until June. For their appearance at the 2004 Fuji Rock Festival, guitarist Paul Maybury was substituted by Andre Warhurst—Kit Warhurst’s brother—due to Maybury sustaining a broken leg. Andre Warhurst also featured in the music video for the single Eternal Holiday, which was filmed during their visit to Japan. Released on 15 September 2004 and produced by Jim Diamond, this album reached No. 67 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Following his recovery, Tucker had limited recollection of events but expressed admiration for the completed album when he heard it played back. Reviewer Dwyer observed a noticeable evolution with Warhurst contributing more significantly to songwriting and harmonies, resulting in a sound that was more melodic and accessible. The title track, serving as the lead single, was characterized by FasterLouder as an upbeat tune despite its dark inspiration.
After parting ways with their record label, Rocket Science independently crafted their fourth album, Different Like You, which was released on 26 July 2008. Engineered and produced by Maybury at his personal studio, BMA Magazine regarded it as a refinement of their established style rather than a departure—delivering intense and focused Rocket Science energy. Music Feeds commended its raw, energetic compositions infused with theremin and classic rock & roll elements, reinforcing the band's reputation as an outstanding live act.
Leading up to this album’s release was the single "Psychic Man," which Mess+Noise praised for its vigorous combination of gritty Seeds/Stones influences alongside their signature Farfisa organ sounds. By August 2008, Mickey Heartbreak (The Dead South) had joined as guitarist. The band dissolved later that year.
2014–present: Reunion and Recent Work
Rocket Science reassembled in 2014. In October of that year, they performed a benefit show for Mick Blood of Lime Spiders at The Tote Hotel in Collingwood. They also appeared at the Leaps and Bounds Festival in July 2015.
In April 2018, they unveiled "Lipstick Red," their first new single in over ten years, which was part of an upcoming fifth studio album then unnamed. This album, titled Snake, was released in August 2019 and promoted with singles such as "I Hate Hate" and "Cheers Pinger." In July 2020, Rocket Science issued their inaugural live album titled Live 2020. Their sixth studio release, Push Play, arrived in September 2023.
Line up
Current members
- Dave Gray – bass guitar
- Paul Maybury – guitar, backing vocals
- Roman Tucker – lead vocals, keyboards, theremin
- Kit Warhurst – drums, backing vocals
Former members
- Mickey Heartbreak – guitar (2008)
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Welcome Aboard the 3C10 |
|
— |
| Contact High |
|
60 |
| Eternal Holiday |
|
67 |
| Different Like You |
|
— |
| Snake |
|
— |
| Push Play |
|
— |
Live albums
| Album Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Live 2020 |
|
Singles
| Single Title | Release Year | Corresponding Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Burn in Hell" | 1999 | Welcome Aboard the 3C10 |
| "Copycat" | 2000 | |
| "One Robot" | 2001 | Contact High |
| "Being Followed" | ||
| "Heavy Traffic"/"Going Away" | 2002 | |
| "Run Like a Gun" | 2003 | |
| "Sex Call" | 2004 | Eternal Holiday |
| "Eternal Holiday" | ||
| "Psychic Man" | 2008 | Different Like You |
| "Lipstick Red" | 2018 | Snake |
| "I Hate Hate" | 2019 | |
| "Cheers Pinger" | ||
| "Agitation" | 2023 | Push Play |
| "Fashion Emergency" |