Tumbleweed (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 in Tarrawanna, Wollongong, Australia |
| Headquarters | Wollongong , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Tumbleweed is an Australian rock group that originated in 1990 in Tarrawanna, a suburb located in Wollongong. They achieved notable success with three studio albums entering the ARIA top 50: their self-titled debut Tumbleweed (1992), followed by Galactaphonic (1995), and Return to Earth (1996).
1990–1994: Origins and debut album
Formed in October 1990 in the Wollongong suburb of Tarrawanna, Tumbleweed emerged after the dissolution of The Proton Energy Pills. The initial lineup consisted of the Curley brothers: Dave on lead vocals, Jay handling bass, Lenny playing guitar, alongside drummer Richie Lewis. In December 1990, they recorded their first 7" single, "Captain's Log," produced by Mudhoney's Mark Arm, which was subsequently released in August 1991 through Waterfront Records. Music historian Ian McFarlane characterized them as the quintessential stoner rock band of the 1990s, recognized for their heavy fuzz-laden wah-wah guitar riffs combined with relentless rhythms.
By the time "Captain's Log" was issued, Paul Hausmeister (formerly of Unheard) had joined as lead guitarist; Richie Lewis transitioned to lead vocals replacing Dave Curley, and Steve O'Brien (also ex-Unheard) assumed drumming duties. This ensemble released the "Stoned"/"Holy Moses" single in December 1991 and supported the American grunge band Nirvana during their Australian tour that same month. Following this, they issued a three-track EP titled Carousel (also known as Theatre of Gnomes) in April 1992 and a five-track EP called Weedseed in August 1992, both recorded by John Hresc and mixed by Doug Colson.
November 1992 saw the release of the single "Acid Rain" alongside their debut full-length album Tumbleweed, produced by Doug Colson. The album climbed to No. 48 on the ARIA Albums Chart by December 1992. Subsequent to this release, the band embarked on tours across the United States and Europe.
In January 1993, Tumbleweed performed at Sydney's prominent Big Day Out festival and devoted much of the year to extensive touring within Australia, including a nationwide tour alongside fellow Australian act You Am I during May and June. International touring activities continued thereafter. The band released the EP Sundial in March, which reached No. 35 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Their single "Daddy Long Legs," released in January 1994, attained No. 53.
Throughout 1994, Tumbleweed returned to participate in the national Big Day Out festival and supported Rollins Band during their Australian tour in June. After signing with Polydor under Craig Kamber’s management, they recorded their sophomore album Galactaphonic, produced by Paul McKercher. The lead single "Gyroscope" preceded the album’s release in November 1994.
1995–1998: Galactaphonic era and subsequent releases
Their second studio album, Galactaphonic, launched in June 1995, achieved a peak position of No. 6 on the charts. McFarlane lauded it as a monumental work—a vigorous collection featuring powerful metal-infused boogie rhythms and memorable hard rock elements—drawing inspiration from bands such as Monster Magnet, The Stooges, Sonic Youth, and The Beatles. That January, they toured as part of Big Day Out and followed with the single "Hang Around" in April 1995. By year's end, lineup changes saw Hausmeister replaced by guitarist Dave Achille (formerly of Full Tab) and drummer Steve O'Brien succeeded by Nik Reith from The Celibate Rifles.
Between February and March 1996, Tumbleweed co-headlined an Australian tour with Monster Magnet. Their third album, Return to Earth, was released in September 1996 and reached No. 11 on the charts. Also produced by McKercher, early editions included a bonus disc titled Ready by Wednesday. Singles "Lavabread" and "I Remember" were released ahead of the album. The band conducted a national tour from October to November with Magic Dirt providing support and subsequently issued the single "Silver Lizard".
In early 1997, Tumbleweed made their fifth appearance at Big Day Out. April 1998 saw the release of their single "Fang It!" before entering an extended hiatus lasting approximately one year as members engaged in side projects. During this break, Lewis formed Hot Rollers with Kram from Spiderbait, releasing a self-titled album in July. Meanwhile, Curley and Reith joined Brother Brick alongside Stewart Cunningham (ex-Proton Energy Pills) for an Australian tour.
1999–2001: Mumbo Jumbo and breakup
In 1999, Tumbleweed reunited to collaborate with producer Phil McKellar on a new record. The first single, "Glow in the Dark!", was launched in October 1999, preceding the release of Mumbo Jumbo in March 2000. By this time, Phil Lally had taken over bass duties from Jay Curley. Dan Lander from The Planet of Sound observed that the album represented a "revival of the signature, dense, melodic Tumbleweed sound" with a contemporary edge. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2000, the album received a nomination for Best Adult Alternative Album. The group ultimately dissolved in 2001.
2009–present: The Waterfront Years 1992–94 and Sounds from the Other Side
The original lineup—Jay and Lenny Curley, Hausmeister, Lewis, and O'Brien—reassembled in July 2009 and performed at Homebake in December of that year. Early in 2010, they appeared at Big Day Out events in Sydney and Melbourne, followed by the November release of a two-disc compilation titled The Waterfront Years 1992–94. Critic The Barman commended their heavy riff-driven rock combined with lively blues influences that went beyond conventional 'stoner rock' stereotypes. In November 2012, they participated in Melbourne's first CherryFest.
Their fifth studio album, Sounds from the Other Side, arrived in September 2013. Pete Laurie of The Music highlighted how it struck a balance between innovation and avoiding repetition of earlier material. Richie Lewis told The Age that maintaining creative momentum was essential to staying relevant: "We can't keep playing that same period [of songs] forever... we've got to try writing again." A supporting tour across Australia took place late that year.
Tragically, Jason Curley passed away suddenly on 26 August 2014 at age 42 due to an alcohol-related illness.
In 2020, the band issued a double A-sided single; Richie Lewis described "'Shadowland' as capturing the uncertainty during perilous times when truth is frequently questioned."
December 2021 marked their 30th anniversary, celebrated with a limited-edition deluxe singles box set and a commemorative tour.
Members
Current members
- Richie Lewis – lead vocals (1990–2001, 2009–present), drums (1990)
- Lenny Curley – guitar, backing vocals (1990–2001, 2009–present)
- Paul Hausmeister – guitar, backing vocals (1990–1995, 2009–present)
- Steve O'Brien – drums (1990–1995, 2009–present)
- Jamie Cleaves – bass (2014–present)
Former members
- Dave Curley – lead vocals (1990)
- Jason Curley – bass (1990–1998, 2009–2014; deceased)
- Dave Achille – guitar (1996)
- Nik Reith – drums (1996–1998)
- Alex Lynch – guitar (1996–2001)
- Simon Cox – drums (1998–2001)
- Alex Compton – bass (1998–1999)
- Matt Houston – bass (1999–2000)
- Phil Lally – bass (2000–2001)
External links
- Archived profile of Tumbleweed on the International Music Concepts website, retrieved 19 October 2013.
- Tumbleweed: July 2000 Australian tour profile available at the National Library of Australia, accessed 26 August 2014.