Tambalane
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Founder | Ben Gillies, Wes Carr |
| Defunct | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, extended plays |
Tambalane was an Australian pop rock ensemble originating in late 2003 in Sydney, New South Wales. The project began as a side venture by Ben Gillies (known from Silverchair) who handled drums and backing vocals, alongside Wes Carr on lead vocals and guitar. By 2004, the band expanded to include Greg Royal on bass and Gerard Masters on keyboards. Under the management of John Watson's label, Eleven: A Music Company, Tambalane released their eponymous debut album in August 2005, which featured singles such as "Little Miss Liar" (June) and "Free" (August). The group disbanded later that year when Silverchair resumed their activities. Notably, Carr went on to win the sixth season of Australian Idol in 2008.
History
The formation of Tambalane was initiated by Gillies during Silverchair’s extended break announced in June 2003 following their Diorama tour. Gillies and Carr connected through Silverchair’s manager John Watson and quickly began crafting songs, producing numerous tracks in a short period. By 2004, the band’s roster had grown to include Greg Royal on bass and Gerard Masters on keyboards, establishing a lineup suitable for live shows.
Affiliated with Watson’s Eleven label, Tambalane drew inspiration from bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Early 2005 marked the release of their debut single "Little Miss Liar," followed by the EP Free, both produced by Phil McKellar at Sydney’s Megaphon Studio. Their full-length album, co-produced by McKellar and Gillies, was released on 21 August 2005, featuring additional guitar work by Steve Edmonds and Ben Nightingale.
Critical responses were varied; some reviewers felt the album did not meet the depth anticipated given Gillies’ background with Silverchair, describing it as somewhat overproduced with straightforward lyrics. Despite this, Tambalane embarked on a national tour promoting the album, performing in intimate venues that showcased their dynamic live energy. Critics highlighted Carr’s powerful vocals alongside the group’s instrumental range.
Internal disagreements led to Tambalane’s breakup by November 2005 as Gillies returned to Silverchair to work on their forthcoming album Young Modern. Carr pursued his solo endeavors before achieving victory on Australian Idol in 2008. After Silverchair announced an indefinite hiatus in 2011, Gillies continued developing solo material distinct from Tambalane’s sound.
Albums
- Tambalane (21 August 2005)
Extended plays
- Free (20 June 2005)
Singles
- "Little Miss Liar" (2005)
- "Free" (2005)
External links
- Archived official website retrieved 9 July 2013