The Gingers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Pop punk music, EPs |
The Gingers were a Melbourne-based Australian pop punk ensemble established in early 2005, comprising Etta Curry (drums, vocals), Nellie Jackson (lead and rhythm guitar, vocals), and Chelsea Wheatley (lead vocals, bass, keyboards). They secured a deal with Illicit Records and issued their five-song EP Love You Long Time in May 2006.
History
After attending the 2003 Falls Festival, the group formed and made their live debut at The Tote in February 2004. Initially known as The Gingerettes, they soon abbreviated their name. All members were teenagers finishing secondary education and had previously been part of the band Postal.
In 2004, Ralph Carr of Illicit Records discovered their demos online and signed them. Early critiques praised their energetic performances and the commanding presence of their lead vocalist. By November that year, they had supported the well-known band Spiderbait at Melbourne's Forum Theatre.
In March 2006, The Gingers appeared at Push Over alongside prominent Australian bands such as Grinspoon and Frenzal Rhomb. Music journalist Craig Mathieson characterized their style as "a spiky brew of punk daubed with electro impulses."
Their debut EP Love You Long Time, produced by Lindsay Gravina and mixed at Birdland Studios, featured catchy, accessible pop-rock tunes that helped cultivate a loyal following. They toured along Australia's east coast and made appearances on national television and radio outlets including Triple J. The single "Evening Rose" received airplay on music video platforms and was used in a commercial for Jay Jay's.
During 2006 and early 2007, The Gingers supported international acts like Pennywise, The Queers, Against Me!, and Hoobastank, as well as touring with local groups including Ground Components and The Go Set.
In 2007, Stephen Lavery joined as lead guitarist and vocalist, leading Jackson to transition to rhythm guitar. That September, they issued a split EP with Sydney surf rock outfit Goons of Doom, distributed through Waves Magazine during a shared East Coast tour.
Towards the end of 2007, Curry left to pursue studies in the arts; Christopher Kelly took over drumming duties by early 2008. That same year, "Evening Rose" was incorporated into the Victorian Certificate of Education curriculum for Music: Group Performance. The band also supported Juliette Lewis and the Licks and recorded new tracks with Indra Adams from Ground Components; however, this EP was never released. By late 2008, The Gingers had disbanded.
Afterwards
Beginning in 2009, Curry occasionally performed as a DJ under the name Etta Curry Suppression Ring, including appearances at Sandcastles Festival in January 2010 and Leaps and Bounds Festival in July 2013.
By early 2011, Curry and Jackson formed the punk duo Chaos Kids, releasing the song "My Mind" along with a self-titled four-track EP on 10 February 2011 through Jackknife Music.
In January 2013, Jackson collaborated with Joe McGuigan (formerly of Ground Components) and Eamon Stewart (Shoot The Sun) to create Joseph Paul, a project combining electronic rhythms, synthesizers, and ska elements.
Chelsea Wheatley embarked on a solo career under the stage name Chela, releasing the EP Romanticise via Kitsuné. Focusing on electro pop, she has also contributed vocals to dance tracks by Clubfeet, Viceroy, and Goldroom.
Members
- Etta Curry – vocals, drums
- Nellie Jackson – rhythm guitar, lead guitar, vocals
- Chelsea Wheatley – bass guitar, lead vocals
- Stephen Lavery – vocals, lead guitar
- Christopher Kelly – drums
Extended plays
- Demo - Melbourne Records (2005)
- Love You Long Time (2006)
- The Goons of Doom Split The Gingers Giant Panda (4 September 2007)