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Spiderbait

From Alfawiki
Spiderbait
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1989 in Finley, New South Wales, Australia
FounderJanet English, Mark Maher (Kram), Damian Whitty
Headquarters
Finley, New South Wales
,
Australia
ProductsAlternative rock music, albums, singles

Spiderbait is an alternative rock group originating from Finley, New South Wales, Australia, established in 1989 by bassist and vocalist Janet English, drummer and vocalist Mark Maher (known as Kram), and guitarist Damian Whitty. Their 2004 rendition of Lead Belly's "Black Betty" in a hard rock style reached the number one position on the ARIA Charts. The band boasts five albums that entered the top 20: The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake (1995), Ivy and the Big Apples (1996), Grand Slam (1999), Tonight Alright (2004), and Greatest Hits (2005). Among their accolades are two ARIA Music Awards: Best Alternative Release for Ivy and the Big Apples in 1997 and Best Cover-Art for the single "Glockenpop" in 2000. In November 2013, they issued their first studio album after a nine-year hiatus, titled Spiderbait.

1989–1994: Formation and early development

The formation of Spiderbait dates back to 1989 when Janet English (bass and vocals), Mark Maher, also known as Kram (vocals and drums), and Damian Whitty (guitar) began collaborating musically. All three members hail from Finley, New South Wales, where Kram and Whitty had been playing together since their school days. Kram was instrumental in teaching English how to play bass. Their initial performances included an unnamed set at a friend's gathering and a combined 21st birthday celebration under the name Candy Spuds. They briefly adopted the name Spiderbaby before ultimately choosing Spiderbait due to conflicts with existing band names.

In 1990, the group moved to Melbourne as Kram pursued studies at the Victorian College of the Arts School of Music. Immersed in Melbourne's punk scene, they performed at venues such as The Tote Hotel. Early influences included fellow alternative rock band The Meanies, who also assisted them in securing gigs and a recording deal. After signing with Au-Go-Go Records, Spiderbait released their debut single "Circle K" in 1991. This was followed by the seven-track EP P'tang Yang Kipper Bang Uh! in January 1992, which displayed a thrash-influenced hardcore punk sound. That same year, they supported American acts Rollins Band and Beastie Boys during their Australian tours.

Their first full-length album, Shashavaglava, was launched in February 1993. The title translates roughly to 'crazy head' or colloquially 'dickhead' in Serbian. The album compiled material from their earlier EP and included singles like "Old Man Sam," notable for its distinctive video, as well as a cover of The Goodies' "Run". The album received descriptions highlighting its intense and aggressive style that could be taxing for listeners. Later in 1993, singles "Run" and "Jesus" were released. In 1994, Spiderbait supported the American band Primus during their Australian tour.

1995–1998: Signing with a major label, Ivy & The Big Apples era, and side ventures

In 1995, Spiderbait secured a deal with Polydor Records via Craig Kamber, who had previously worked with bands such as Powderfinger and Underground Lovers. Their sophomore album, The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake, was released in October that year and climbed to number 14 on Australian charts. Singles like "Monty" and "Jesus" enjoyed heavy rotation on Triple J. The album's title alludes to an incomplete community project near Finley involving an artificial lake featuring a replica sailing ship. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996, this album garnered nominations for 'Best Alternative Release' and 'Best Cover Art'.

October 1996 saw the release of their third studio album, Ivy and the Big Apples, which reached number three on the charts and earned double Platinum status from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments exceeding 140,000 copies. The single "Buy Me a Pony" received significant airplay on Triple J, ultimately becoming the top listener-voted track in the Triple J Hottest 100, 1996, making Spiderbait the first Australian act to achieve this distinction. Later that year, they toured Canada as well as major cities across the United States. Another single from this album, "Calypso", peaked at number 13 on the ARIA Singles Chart in June 1997 and was featured in the film 10 Things I Hate About You released in 1999. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997, Spiderbait earned seven nominations and secured the award for 'Best Alternative Release' for this album.

In early 1998, Janet English collaborated with her then-partner Quan Yeomans from Regurgitator to form a side project named Happyland. Their sole album, Welcome to Happyland, was released via Polydor in September of that year. English also contributed artwork for covers and created animated videos associated with Regurgitator's releases. By the year 2000, Happyland had disbanded. Additionally, in 1998 Kram joined forces with Richie Lewis from Tumbleweed to establish another side project called Hot Rollers, named after their mothers’ occupation as hairdressers. Their only release was an eponymous album issued through Polydor in July.

1999–2004: From Grand Slam to Tonight Alright

In June 1998, Spiderbait reunited to produce their album Grand Slam. Following this, they toured Japan in October 1998 and opened for the Beastie Boys in February 1999. The album, produced by Paul McKercher—renowned for his work with You Am I and Cold Chisel—was released in April and entered the charts at number 10. The track "Shazam!" reached the top 50, gained exposure through a 2001 episode of Sex and the City, and was later utilized in promotional campaigns for the A-League. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1999, Spiderbait secured five nominations.

Although singles "Stevie" (released in May) and "Glokenpop" (January 2000) received radio play, neither managed to enter the top 50. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2000, the band earned two nominations, with English winning 'Best Cover Art' for "Glokenpop". Their 2001 release, The Flight of Wally Funk, which incorporated dance elements and was primarily recorded in Whitty's living room, reached the Top 40 but did not match the success of previous albums.

Spiderbait recorded Tonight Alright in Weed, CA, working with engineers Josh Kiser and Richard Veltrop, under the production of Sylvia Massy, noted for collaborations with Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., and Tool. Songwriting and demos were completed at Whitty's residence in North Melbourne. The lead single, "Black Betty", a rendition of Lead Belly’s 1939 song popularized by Ram Jam in 1977, was released in March 2004. After ten weeks, it climbed to number one on the Australian singles chart, maintaining that position for three weeks and becoming their highest-selling single. By the end of the year, it had attained double Platinum status. In the United States, it reached the top 40 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Singles Chart. The accompanying music video featured a hot rod reminiscent of the ZZ Top album Eliminator. Additionally, the track was included in Electronic Arts games Need for Speed: Underground 2 and Need for Speed: Underground Rivals.

Tonight Alright, released in March 2004, debuted at number 14 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The second single, "Fucken Awesome", entered the top 30 by June. Starting in May, Spiderbait supported Hoodoo Gurus on tour before embarking on headline tours across the UK and US. Interscope Records signed them in 2004 to distribute Tonight Alright internationally. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2004, Kram joined supergroup The Wrights, which included members from prominent Australian bands such as Powderfinger, The Living End, You Am I, and Jet.

2005–2012: Hiatus Period and Live Performances

In March 2005, English welcomed a daughter into her family. Later that year, in September, Spiderbait released a compilation titled Greatest Hits, which debuted at number 6 on the charts. The band observed that many newer listeners were unfamiliar with their work prior to "Black Betty".

In October 2005, Spiderbait performed at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena as part of the Coca-Cola Live'n'Local Tour '05. The following year, in November 2006, they appeared at the Rock the Vote! concert organized by the "Queensland Council of Unions" in Brisbane.

For the 2007 film Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, Spiderbait recorded a cover version of "Ghost Riders in the Sky" as its main theme. Their track "Glokenpop" was featured in the 2009 PlayStation Portable game LittleBigPlanet. Kram launched his solo career with his debut album Mix Tape in March 2009. In 2010, Magnapop covered Spiderbait’s song "Jesus" from The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake on their album Chase Park. In December of that year, Spiderbait supported Guns N' Roses during a Sydney concert. Additionally, they contributed "Rock-a-Bye Your Bear" to the tribute compilation ReWiggled - A Tribute to the Wiggles.

2013–2021: Resuming Activity and Eponymous Release

In February 2013, Kram revealed that Spiderbait was in the process of creating their first album after a seven-year break, highlighting a renewed focus on their metal roots. Their self-titled record, Spiderbait, launched on 15 November 2013, coinciding with a live appearance at the opening event of the Jam Gallery music venue located in Bondi Junction.

2022–Present: Sounds in the Key of J and Live Performances

On 11 March 2022, Spiderbait introduced "My Car's a UFO," marking their first new track in nearly a decade, originally produced for The Flight of Wally Funk. This single led their third compilation album, Sounds in the Key of J, which exclusively features songs with Janet English as the lead vocalist. The album was released on 8 April 2022 and was followed by a supporting tour in July.

On 17 June 2023, Spiderbait made their return to the U.S. stage after more than 25 years at New York City's Aussie BBQ Festival, sharing the bill with artists such as Amy Shark and Budjerah. Later that year in December, they appeared at Good Things, performing alongside Limp Bizkit, Devo, and Fall Out Boy.

The band announced on 15 May 2024 an Australian tour scheduled from August through October to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Black Betty. This tour will feature support from acts including Polish Club, Adalita, Private Function, and Abbe May.

On 20 September 2024, Spiderbait released an EP titled Bunch of Bettys, compiling various versions of "Black Betty" such as live recordings, demos, acoustic renditions, and original takes. Concurrently, their concert at Melbourne's Forum Theatre was fully recorded but has yet to be made available to the public.

Discography

Members

  • Janet English – bass guitar, lead and backing vocals
  • Mark "Kram" Maher – lead and backing vocals, drums
  • Damian "Whit" Whitty – guitar, programming, beats, backing and occasional lead vocals

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards honor outstanding achievement and innovation within all sectors of Australian music. Since their inception in 1987, Spiderbait has received nineteen nominations and secured two wins at the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards.


|- | rowspan="2" | 1996 || The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake || Best Alternative Release || |- | The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake – Janet English, George Stajsic || Best Cover Art || |- | rowspan="7" | 1997 || rowspan="3" | Ivy and the Big Apples || Album of the Year || |- | Best Alternative Release || |- | Best Group || |- | Ivy and the Big Apples – Janet English || Best Cover Art || |- | Ivy and the Big Apples – Phil McKellar || Engineer of the Year || |- | "Buy Me a Pony" || Single of the Year || |- | "Calypso" – Janet English || Best Video || |- | rowspan="5" | 1999 || rowspan="2" | Grand Slam || Album of the Year || |- | Best Alternative Release || |- | Grand Slam – Janet English, George Stajsic || Best Cover Art || |- | rowspan="2" | Grand Slam – Phil McKellar || Engineer of the Year || |- | Producer of the Year || |- | rowspan="2" | 2000 || "Glokenpop" || Best Pop Release || |- | "Glockenpop"– Janet English || Best Cover Art || |- | rowspan="3" | 2004 || Tonight Alright || Best Rock Album || |- | "Black Betty" || Highest Selling Single || |- | "Black Betty" – Paul Butler, Scott Walton (50/50) || Best Video ||

References

General
  • Note: The archived online version offers limited features.
Specific


External links

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