Amyl and the Sniffers

Australian pub rock and classic punk band

  • Pub rock
  • punk rock
Years active2016–presentLabels
  • ATO
  • Flightless
  • Rough Trade
MembersAmy Taylor
Bryce Wilson
Declan Martens
Gus RomerPast membersCalum Newton
Sam McPherson
Stelios Kostogiannis
Aaron Moss
Daniel BredaWebsiteamylandthesniffers.com

Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian pub rock[1] and punk rock band based in Melbourne, consisting of vocalist Amy Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Martens, and bassist Gus Romer.[2] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their self-titled debut record won the Best Rock Album category.

History

2016–2017: Giddy Up and Big Attraction

Vocalist Amy Taylor in a live recording 2017

The band was formed by housemates Taylor, Wilson and Martens and former band member Calum Newton (AKA Candy) in Balaclava, Melbourne. The four wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, in a span of 12 hours.[3] Calum left the band to pursue solo music and was replaced by Gus Romer. They take their name from the Australian slang for amyl nitrite, also known as poppers.[4] Amy Taylor compared their music to the drug in an interview with Paul Glynn of the BBC: "In Australia we call poppers Amyl. So you sniff it, it lasts for 30 seconds and then you have a headache – and that's what we're like!"[4] Their sound has been compared to 1970s hard rock groups such as Iggy Pop and The Stooges and The Damned.[3] However, Taylor has cited a number of varying influences including Minor Threat, Ceremony, AC/DC, Sleaford Mods, Dolly Parton and Cardi B.[4] A second EP Big Attraction was released in 2017.

2018–present: Amyl and the Sniffers and Comfort to Me

In 2018, the band went into the studio to record their debut album with producer and former Add N to (X) drummer Ross Orton.[5] The result was the self-titled Amyl and the Sniffers, which was released on 24 May 2019 and has received generally positive reviews including a 7.2 from Pitchfork[3] and 4 out of 5 stars from NME[6] and AllMusic.[7] In light of the album's release, Happy Mag placed the band at No. 9 on their list of "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now", praising front-woman Amy Taylor for being "one of hardest rocking people on the face of the planet."[8]

Amyl and the Sniffers in 2021

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Amyl and the Sniffers won the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album.[9][10][11] In February 2020, the self-titled album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize of 2019.[12]

On 7 July 2021, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album Comfort to Me, alongside lead single "Guided by Angels".[13] Later in July, the band released another single, "Security". Three days prior to the release of the album the band released a final single, "Hertz", alongside a complementary music video.[14] The full Comfort to Me album was initially scheduled for release in early October 2021,[15] but was pushed up and released on 10 September.[16] The album was recorded at Sound Park, in Melbourne.[17]

In June and July 2022, the band opened for Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Green Day on the European leg of the Hella Mega Tour.[18] In April 2023, the band toured with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.[19]

Discography

Albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[20]
BEL
(WA)
[21]
GER
[22]
IRE
[23]
SWI
[24]
UK
[25]
US
(Sales)
[26]
Amyl and the Sniffers 22 91
Comfort to Me
  • Released: 10 September 2021[13]
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, LP
  • Label: B2B, Rough Trade, ATO Records
2 83 22 88 98 21 18

EPs

Title Details
Giddy Up
  • Released: 24 February 2016[28]
  • Format: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl And The Sniffers
Big Attraction
  • Released: 15 March 2017[29]
  • Format: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl And The Sniffers

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Balaclava Lover Boogie"[30] 2018 Big Attraction
"Cup of Destiny"[31] Amyl and the Sniffers
"Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled)"[31]
"Monsoon Rock"[32] 2019
"Got You"[33]
"Gacked on Anger"[34]
"Guided by Angels"[13] 2021 Comfort to Me
"Security"[15]
"Hertz"[14]

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Comfort to Me Independent Album of the Year Nominated [35][36]
Best Independent Punk Album or EP Won

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.[37]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019[38] Amyl and the Sniffers Best Rock Album Won [38]
Amyl and the Sniffers Best Cover Art Nominated
2022 Comfort to Me Album of the Year Nominated [39][40]
Best Group Won
Best Rock Album Won
"Hertz" by Amyl and the Sniffers, John Angus Stewart Best Video Nominated
Comfort to Me Tour 2022 Best Live Act Nominated
Amyl and the Sniffers & Dan Luscombe for Amyl and the Sniffers Comfort to Me Producer – Best Produced Album Nominated

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. They commenced in 2005.[41]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Amyl and the Sniffers Australian Music Prize Nominated [42][12]
2021 Comfort to Me Australian Music Prize Nominated [43]

J Awards

Commencing in 2005, the J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Comfort to Me Australian Album of the Year Nominated [44][45]
Amyl and the Sniffers Double J Artist of the Year Nominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating music from the Australian state of Victoria. They commenced in 2005.[46]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Emerging Act Nominated [47]
2018 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Band Nominated [47]
2019 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Album Nominated [48]
Best Rock/Punk Album Nominated
Amyl and the Sniffers Best Band Nominated
Best Live Act Nominated
2020 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Band Won [49][50]
Best Live Act Won
Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers) Best Musician Won
2021 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Live Act Won [51][52]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.[53]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Amyl and the Sniffers Live Hard Rock Act of the Year Nominated [54][55]
2019 Amyl and the Sniffers Live Act of the Year Nominated [56][57]
2023 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Live Act Won [58][59]
Best Punk/Hardcore Act Won
Best Live Act in Victoria Won

References

  1. ^ Isabella Trimboli. "Amyl and the Sniffers review – turning pub rock bravado into punk mayhem".
  2. ^ "AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS". Damagedgoods.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  5. ^ Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  6. ^ Smith, Thomas (24 May 2019). "Amyl and The Sniffers – 'Amyl and The Sniffers' review". NME. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  8. ^ Saunders, Luke (24 October 2019). "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now". Happy Mag. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021.
  9. ^ ARIA (27 November 2019). "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  10. ^ MediaWeek (27 November 2019). "ARIA Awards 2019: Tones and I wins big & Human Nature Hall of Fame". MediaWeek. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  11. ^ ARIA (10 October 2019). "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  12. ^ a b Boulton, Martin (5 March 2020). "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  13. ^ a b c Reilly, Nick (7 July 2021). "Amyl and The Sniffers announce new album Comfort to Me and share first track "Guided By Angels"". NME Australia. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  14. ^ a b Jones, Damian (7 September 2021). "Watch Amyl And The Sniffers' Amy Taylor bust some moves in video for new track 'Hertz'". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  15. ^ a b Jenke, Tyler (29 July 2021). "Amyl and The Sniffers Unveil New Single, 'Security'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  16. ^ Cahill, Mikey (10 September 2021). "Amyl And The Sniffers roar back on blistering second album 'Comfort To Me': 'We needed to make a whole new thing'". NME Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Amyl And The Sniffers Kexp performance". YouTube. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Setlist for the Hella Mega Tour". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  19. ^ "The World Is a Vampire Australian Tour". www.oneworldentertainment.com.au/. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Discography Amyl and the Sniffers". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort to Me" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Discographie Amyl and the Sniffers". offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  23. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort to Me". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Amyl & the Sniffers | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. 6 June 2019. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Amyl And The Sniffers". Billboard. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  27. ^ Amyl and the Sniffers (2019). "Amyl and The Sniffers". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020.
  28. ^ "Giddy Up - EP by Amyl and The Sniffers". Apple Music. 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020.
  29. ^ "Big Attraction - EP by Amyl and The Sniffers". Apple Music. 2017. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020.
  30. ^ Discogs (2018). "Amyl And The Sniffers - Balaclava Lover Boogie". Discogs. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  31. ^ a b Amyl and the Sniffers (2018). "Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled) / Cup Of Destiny". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020.
  32. ^ Amyl And The Sniffers (2019). "Monsoon Rock - single". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021.
  33. ^ Amyl And The Sniffers (2019). "Got You". Spotify. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021.
  34. ^ Amyl And The Sniffers (2019). "Gacked On Anger". Spotify. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  35. ^ "Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022". musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  36. ^ Tyler Jenke (5 August 2022). "Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards". MusicFeeds. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  37. ^ ARIA (9 September 2020). "About the ARIA Awards". The Arias. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020.
  38. ^ a b ARIA (19 September 2020). "2019 ARIA Awards Winners". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  39. ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  40. ^ Newstead, Al (24 November 2022). "ARIA Awards 2022 Winners Wrap: Baker Boy Leads First Nations Sweep". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  41. ^ The AMP (9 September 2020). "The AMP - General 3". Australian Music Prize. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020.
  42. ^ TMN (4 February 2020). "15th Australian Music Prize finalists announced". The Music Network. Radio Today Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  43. ^ "Australian Music Prize reveals 'strong & diverse' shortlist". The Music Network. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  44. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (1 November 2021). "Triple j reveals J Awards nominees". The Music Network. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  45. ^ "Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  46. ^ Music Victoria (8 June 2020). "Music Victoria | History & Criteria". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020.
  47. ^ a b Music Victoria (13 August 2020). "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020.
  48. ^ Music Victoria (13 August 2020). "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  49. ^ Imbruglia, Laura (9 October 2020). "Industry Awards Winners And Hall Of Fame Inductees Revealed + 2020 Music Victoria Awards Nominees Announced With Public Voting Now Open!". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  50. ^ Cashmere, Paul (10 December 2020). "Sampa The Great Walks Off With a Stack of Music Victoria Awards". noise11. Melbourne, Vic: The Noise Network Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020.
  51. ^ "Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  52. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  53. ^ NLMA (9 September 2020). "What are the NLMAs?". National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020.
  54. ^ NLMA (2 October 2018). "National Live Music Awards announces 2018 nominees; "Live Legend" Induction; AAA Award Expansion; Ros O'Gorman Tribute and more". National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  55. ^ NLMA (6 December 2018). "Baker Boy, Stella Donnelly and Tropical F*ck Storm among the big winners of the 2018 NLMAs; Magic Dirt Inducted as Live Legends". National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  56. ^ NLMA (22 October 2019). "Here are your 2019 National Live Music Awards nominees!". National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  57. ^ NLMA (4 December 2019). "And the winners of the 2019 National Live Music Awards are..." National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  58. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  59. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.

General

  • Trimboli, Isabella (24 May 2019). "Amyl and the Sniffers review – turning pub rock bravado into punk mayhem". Theguardian.com.
  • "Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers". Pitchfork.com.
  • Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.com.
  • "Daily Dose: Amyl and The Sniffers, "Gacked on Anger"". Pastemagazine.com.
  • "'Mon the Sniff: Amyl and the Sniffers". Diymag.com. 23 May 2019.
  • Dwyer, Michael (23 May 2019). "Here's trouble! Amyl and the Sniffers spray it like it is". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  • Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". Theguardian.com.
  • BWW News Desk. "Amyl and The Sniffers Critically Acclaimed Debut S/T Album Out Today". BroadwayWorld.com.
  • Smith, Thomas (24 May 2019). "Amyl and The Sniffers – 'Amyl and The Sniffers' review". NME.
  • Skinner, Tom (6 March 2019). "Amyl and the Sniffers announce debut album with feral first single, 'Monsoon Rock'". NME.
  • Bassett, Jordan (26 September 2018). "Aussie punks Amyl and the Sniffers – almost literally – tore apart London's beloved Moth Club last night". NME.

External links

  • Official website
  • v
  • t
  • e