The Orange Humble Band
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Darryl Mather |
| Defunct | 2001 (initially) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 2001, reunited in 2012 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Orange Humble Band is an alternative rock group from Australia, established in early 1995 by guitarist Darryl Mather, formerly of The Lime Spiders and The Someloves. The initial lineup included Anthony Bautovich (Lonely Hearts), American indie producer and singer Mitch Easter, along with Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) as the lead vocalist. The band issued two albums, Assorted Creams in 1997 and Humblin' (Across America) in 2001, before dissolving later that same year. They reunited in March 2012 and subsequently released their third album, Depressing Beauty, in May 2015.
Biography
After a three-year hiatus following the breakup of The Someloves, founder Darryl Mather resumed his musical career in 1994. In early 1995, Mather teamed up with Bill Gibson to create The Orange Humble Band in Sydney. Their first album, Assorted Creams, was partly recorded in Sydney and completed at Mitch Easter’s studios in North Carolina. Easter provided vocals prior to Ken Stringfellow’s addition as the main singer. Released domestically by Half a Cow Records in 1997 and later in the United States in 1998, the album garnered acclaim for its catchy hooks and melodies reminiscent of the 1960s.
The album spawned the single "Apple Green Slice Cut" (1998) and was followed by a five-track EP titled Down in Your Dreams. Additionally, the song "Step on the Gas" was featured on the 1997 compilation Cop It Sweet.
Their sophomore effort, Humblin’ (Across America) (2001), was developed over an eighteen-month period with a lineup comprising Mather, Bautovich, Easter, Stringfellow, drummer Jody Stephens (Big Star, Golden Smog), and bassist Jamie Hoover (The Spongetones). Esteemed musicians Spooner Oldham and Jim Dickinson contributed organ and piano parts. Critics responded positively to the album’s unified country rock and roots music style. The single "Any Way You Want It" was released in 2000 accompanied by three B-sides not included on the album. By late 2001, the band had disbanded.
Following a screening of the documentary Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me at SXSW alongside Stephens in March 2012, Mather reunited with Easter and Stringfellow to revive The Orange Humble Band. Returning to Australia for songwriting, Mather collaborated with Dwight Twilley who provided both songwriting support and backing vocals. Their third album, Depressing Beauty, was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis during October 2012 with Easter as producer. Released on 22 May 2015 through Citadel Records, this edition of the band included Mather, Easter, Stephens, Stringfellow, Jon Auer (The Posies, Big Star), bassist Dave Smith (Cat Power), and keyboardist Rick Steff (Lucero).
Members
- Bill Gibson – bass guitar
- Darryl Mather – acoustic guitar
- Mitch Easter – lead guitar, lead vocals, engineer, mixing, producer
- Ken Stringfellow – lead vocals
- Anthony Bautovich – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Matt Galvin – lead guitar
- Peter Kelly – drums
- Jody Stephens – drums
- Spooner Oldham – Hammond organ, piano, Wurlitzer
- Jamie Hoover – mandolin, backing vocals
- Jim Dickinson – bass guitar
- Jon Auer – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
- Dave Smith – bass guitar
- Rick Steff – piano, keyboards
Albums
- Assorted Creams – released by Half a Cow in 1997
- Humblin' (Across America) – issued through Half a Cow in 2001
- Depressing Beauty – distributed by Citadel on 22 May 2015
Extended plays
- Down in Your Dreams – launched via Half a Cow in 1998
Singles
- "Apple Green Slice Cut" – published by Half a Cow in August 1998
- "Any Way You Want It" – released under Half a Cow in 2000