The Drugs
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Matt Downey (Ian Baddley) |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
The Drugs were an Australian five-member alternative rock and concept band established in 1998 by Matt Downey, also known as Ian Baddley, who took on lead vocals and keyboards. Downey, with prior experience in bands such as Drop City and IntrOverse, sought to incorporate his admiration for concept and performance-oriented groups like TISM, Devo, and The Residents into the identity of The Drugs.
Formation
Matt Downey, a former alcoholic turned anti-drug campaigner, deliberately selected the name The Drugs to spark debate and expose societal double standards concerning pharmaceuticals. Centered around themes of political satire, pop culture allusions, and drug-related slang, Downey crafted songs, stage attire, and personas before bringing Tim Paxton (known as David Live), a seasoned Sydney musician and co-frontman, into the lineup. Paxton offered a politically moderate balance to Downey’s left-leaning, punk-inspired approach while enriching the band’s cultural commentary.
Paxton chose to retain his own stage name, which was influenced by his favorite David Bowie album. He also suggested incorporating a dedicated individual responsible for controlling stage visuals and heckling the band from the audience’s viewpoint—an innovative element that set The Drugs apart from comparable concept bands. This position, called John Citizen, was occupied by three different performers throughout the band’s existence.
Signing with a label
Following the production of a four-track demo that included early singles, The Drugs performed only once before securing a contract with Rubber Records through David Vodicka. Vodicka connected them with producer Chris Dickie—known for work with Annie Lennox and Morrissey—which led to the April 2000 release of their single "Pop Song."
The group’s membership shifted over time to include musicians from bands such as Insurge, Klinger, Frenzal Rhomb, and Bluebottle Kiss. Their EP The Only Way Is Up was released in September 2000 and garnered an ARIA Award nomination for Best Comedy Release in 2001. Subsequently, they earned two further ARIA nods in 2002 for their single "The Bold and the Beautiful" and their album Music's in Trouble.
Debut album and recognition
In 2003, The Drugs performed "The Bold and the Beautiful" on Rove Live, featuring Ronn Moss, a cast member from the US soap opera of the same name, miming on bass guitar. The single received an ARIA nomination for Best Comedy Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 2002. Their first full-length album, Music's in Trouble, launched in October 2003 to favorable reviews. It comprised two singles, ten original tracks, two bonus songs from The Only Way Is Up EP, along with four additional filler tracks. A third single titled "Burger King" was made available as a free online download. The album also secured a Best Comedy Release nomination at the ARIA Music Awards of 2003.
During 2003, The Drugs became involved in a high-profile dispute with Melbourne-based rap metal band 28 Days. What began as an online disagreement escalated into a physical altercation at a bar that resulted in over $4,000 worth of equipment damage and prompted police involvement. The conflict originated when frontman Baddley published an open letter accusing 28 Days’ lead vocalist Jay Dunne of homophobic behavior and hateful remarks during that year’s Big Day Out festival.
Later that February, Dunne and another member of 28 Days attended a Drugs performance at the Duke of Windsor Hotel in Windsor, Victoria. According to journalist Patrick Donovan from The Age, during the show cigarette butts were thrown at the band, a drink was spilled on their computer equipment, an amplifier was damaged, and tires on their rental vehicle were slashed. Baddley characterized this assault as "a poorly conceived," "cowardly," and "foolish attack driven by an intellectually deficient 'pack mentality.'"
Second album and disbandment
In 2004, the Drugs contributed the track "I Was a Teenage Voter" to the compilation Rock Against Howard. Their sophomore album, The Very Next Of, was released in September 2004 and included this song alongside two radio-only tracks ("Rogue States" and "Appease Your God"), 15 fresh songs, and seven additional filler pieces. This record marked their final studio release. The band’s concluding live performance took place in 2005 at Sydney's Metro venue. Aside from The Very Next Of and the single "Burger King," their previous recordings were reissued digitally on iTunes in 2006.
The Drugs came together again in 2008 for the We're All Going on Osama Holiday tour, supporting Portland’s The Punk Group, with Tom Riordan (under the alias "Tyler Noll") stepping in for Paxton on bass duties. They ultimately parted ways once more in 2009. In 2010, a trailer for their fictional mockumentary titled Masking Agents appeared on YouTube, followed by the full-length film’s release in 2011, which coincided with a box set featuring both albums and a randomly selected single.
Members
- Ian Baddley (Matt Downey) – vocals, keyboards
- David Live (Tim Paxton) – vocals, bass guitar
- Mark Tracks (Mark Quince and Mike Small) – guitar
- Benny Drill (David Cassell and Andrew Tolhurst) – guitar
- Harry Snow (Andrew Burgess, Daryl Sims, Luke Barling) – drums
- Tyler Noll (Tom Riordan) – guitar, vocals (touring member)
Additional live contributors (Mr. John Citizen):
- Alex Moore
- Clyde Bramley
- Lindsay McDougall
Albums
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| Music's in Trouble |
|
| The Very Next Of |
|
Extended plays
| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| The Only Way Is Up |
|
Singles
- "Pop Song" (April 2000)
- "The Bold and the Beautiful" (2002)
- "Metal vs. Hip Hop" (2002)
- "Burger King" (2002)
- "Was Sport Better in the '70s?" (2003)
- "Rogue States" (2005)
ARIA Music Awards
Since 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements and creativity within Australia's music industry.
! Ref. !! Year !! Work !! Category !! Outcome !! Reference |- | 1 || 2001 || The Only Way Is Up || Best Comedy Release || Nominated || |- | 2 || 2002 || "The Bold and the Beautiful" || Best Comedy Release || Nominated || |- | 3 || 2003 || Music's in Trouble || Best Comedy Release || Nominated ||