Tracer (band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 in Adelaide, Australia |
| Defunct | February 2018 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Tracer was an Australian rock trio originating from Adelaide in 2004, consisting of Leigh Brown on bass guitar and backing vocals, his brother Michael Brown handling guitar and lead vocals, along with Andre Wise on drums. Leigh exited the group in 2012, with Jett Heysen Hicks stepping in as his replacement in 2013. The band toured extensively across Australia and Europe, gaining notable recognition with their sophomore album, El Pistolero (2013), which secured a position within the top 10 on the BBC Rock album chart. In February 2018, the group officially announced their breakup.
History
Established in Adelaide in 2004, Tracer began as a rock trio featuring Leigh Brown (bass, keyboards, backing vocals), Michael Brown (guitar, lead vocals), and Andre Wise (drums). Prior to forming Tracer, Leigh and Michael performed together as the Brown Brothers before joining forces with Wise.
Their initial release was a three-track EP titled Into the Night in November 2006, co-written by all members. This was followed by a seven-track EP, L.A. ?, in 2008, produced by James Bett at Billy Hyde Recording Studio in Adelaide.
In 2011, Tracer embarked on a European tour supporting Royal Republic and released their first full-length studio album, Spaces in Between, on 3 October through Cool Green Recordings/Mascot Label Group. Recorded in Adelaide and co-engineered by Bett and Evan James, the album featured blues-tinged hard rock characterized by powerful riffs and raw vocal delivery.
Leigh Brown departed early in 2012 and was briefly succeeded by Pat Saracino. The band completed their inaugural UK headline tour in April 2012. That August saw a remix of L.A. ? tailored for the European audience. Later that year, Saracino was replaced by Jett Heysen Hicks. In November, Tracer earned the title of Best New Band at Classic Rock magazine’s Roll of Honour Awards.
Their second studio album, El Pistolero, was released mid-2013 under Mascot Records/Warner Music Australasia, with production led by Kevin Shirley at Revolver Studios in Oakland. The record merged classic Western motifs with hard rock elements and garnered acclaim for its heavy rock sound infused with sludge and grunge influences.
July 2015 marked the release of their third album, Water for Thirsty Dogs, via Odyssey Music Network. Critics highlighted its heartfelt blend of American grunge blues and Australian pop-punk styles. While it was lauded as a commendable tribute to ’90s rock, some reviews mentioned a perceived lack of innovation. The band ultimately disbanded in February 2018.
Members
- Leigh Brown – bass guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2004–2012)
- Michael Brown – guitar, lead vocals (2004–2018)
- Andre Wise – drums, percussion (2004–2018)
- Pat Saracino – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012)
- Jett Heysen Hicks – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–2018)
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Spaces in Between |
|
| El Pistolero |
|
| Water for Thirsty Dogs |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Into the Night |
|
| L.A. ? |
|
Classic Rock Roll Of Honour
The Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards (2005–2016), established by Classic Rock Magazine, honored accomplishments voted on by both the industry and fans.
|-
| 2012
| Tracer
| Best New Band
|
|-
Fowler's Live Music Awards
Between 2012 and 2014, the Fowler's Live Music Awards recognized outstanding original live music achievements in South Australia; from 2015 onward, this event has been continued as the South Australian Music Awards.
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| 2013
| Tracer
| Best Rock Artist
|
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