Thumlock

Thumlock were a stoner rock band from Wollongong.[1] The bands name was derived from combining the words thumbscrews and hemlock.[2] They formed in 1994 as a three piece by Ben Lough (guitar/vocals), Greg Eshman (drums) and Wayne Stokes (bass). The band released Dripping Silver Heat and then expanded with the addition of Raff Iacurto (guitar).[3] The band signed with High Beam Music and released an ep, Lunar Mountain Sunrise and two full length albums, Emerald Liquid Odyssey and Sojourns Lucid Magic and broke up in 2002 Emerald Liquid Odyssey reached #4 on the Australian Independent Record charts and was distributed by Beard of Stars in Europe.[4] Their next album Sojourns Lucid Magic was distributed in Europe by Cargo Records.[5] Thumlock have been likened to ""Masters of Reality" or "Paranoid" period Black Sabbath""[6] After Thumlock Lough, Iacurto, Stokes and Kane Goodwin formed another band called Reminents Of A Dead Star (R.O.A.D.S.) which released one ep Double White Lines.[7] Stokes was a member of The Wardens and Leadfinger. Since their formation in Wollongong, Australia in the mid 90s, Thumlock have harnessed the power of high octane, sci-fi-tinged, THC-fuelled rock. Travelling the well-worn path of east-coast freeways and beer-soaked bars, the quartet has successfully carved out their slice of the classic Australian rock pie. An independent release in 1997 allowed the band to find their feet in this treacherous landscape and caught the attention of High Beam Music, who released Lunar Mountain Sunrise in 1999. In 2000 Emerald Liquid Odyssey was released to an ever-expanding fanbase. Beard of Stars picked up the album for a European release and, locally, it hit #4 on the AIR charts and received Album of the Week in the Drum Media. Capitalising upon their continued success Thumlock released two singles from the album, recorded a track for the Blue Cheer tribute, and supported the likes of Hawkwind and Rollins Band.  Sojourns Lucid Magic is the next chapter Thumlock’s epic tale. From the opening single of Modulator it is all too obvious that their coastal hometown will not be able to contain the passion and the tenacity of Thumlock for much longer. Again drawing heavily from personal idols Hawkwind and the usual Black Sabbath riffs, Sojourns Lucid Magic brings out the classic subversive Australian rock sound that the band have for so long been teasing us with. Heroes from yesteryear Radio Birdman, The Saints, and the Hard-Ons all share the honour of influencing the next influential band from Australian shores.

Thumlock-Emerald Liquid Odyssey (2000) High Beam Music

1. Rockin' Course 

2. Etherel Blue 

3. Water 

4. Tramp The Charger

5. Doom Lord Dying 

6. Emerald Liquid Odyssey

7. 3ygocact 

8. Railroad The Sunset 

9. Planet Neptune

Lineup:

Ben Lough (vocals/guitar) 

Raff Iacurto (guitar) 

Wayne Stokes (bass guitar) 

Greg Eshman (drums)

Scarymother

Metallic Sydney band which sounded something like a cross between Pearl Jam and Faith No More. Scarymother played slow, heavy riffing rock. Toby Messiter and Dorian West came from Wildland. Scarymother produced an excellent album of ponderous, moody rock and toured nationally with Faith No More but despite good reviews the band missed the boat and drifted apart.

nly one of the individual members has an extensive career and story both pre and post-Scarymother that we can find. All this is rather amazing considering there are two things I hear constantly from people when the subject of Scarymother is broached. "Best Australian hard rock song ever", is the prevalent quote, referencing the band's 1993 single, "Lord Of The Flies". And those really into the song and the band know the single version is actually a more powerful rendition than that which appeared on Scarymother's 1994 album, "Tai Laeo". Another comment comes from only those who were able to catch one of Scarymother's all too rare live shows, specifically their support tour slots with Faith No More on their 1993 Australian tour. Common consensus amongst seasoned Australian hard rock fans was that Scarymother blew Faith No More off the stage more than once on the tour. And lastly, when describing front man Andrew Gillespie's vocal performances, "a dirty, deeper and meaner Eddie Vedder" sums up most comments. Eddie Vedder being one of the biggest stars to emanate from Seattle around the time with Pearl Jam as part of the grunge movement.

Scarymother-Tai Laeo (1994) ATI

01. Ma Laeo

02. Lord Of The Flies

03. Filth  

04. Puke 

05. Looking Down

06. Backyard Swamp

07. Who Are You

08. Tai Laeo

09. Nuggett

10. Blood

11. Dog Song

12. (Bonus Track Jazz Instrumental Version Of Blood)

Lineup:

Andrew Gillespie (vocals)

Antony Brown (guitar)

Toby Messiter (keyboards)

Dorian West (bass)

Tim Burcham (drums)

Produced by Matt Wallace

Download the album here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/236598821/Scarymother.zip.html

Mantissa

Mantissa is a heavy rock band formed as Killing Time. Killing Time formed in Sydney and soon relocated to Melbourne. The band lineup Adam Pringle, Nina Grant, Chris Paine, Jed Starr and Tubby Wadsworth started to gain a following and after a bidding war signed to Polydor. Their first release, Ruby's Mind, was a top ten hit. Wadsworth was sacked in 1991 and was eventually replaced by Syd Green. (One of the intervening drummers was Russell Hopkinson, later a member of You Am I). 1992 single Dream Alone peaked at #13. In 1992 Starr left and was replaced by Chris Collins. Killing Time supported national tours by Jane's Addiction, Mudhoney, Scatterbrain and Baby Animals.  Killing Time changed their name to Mantissa in 1992 due to there being bands named Killing Time in USA and Japan. Their first album, Mossy God (produced by Mantissa and Terry Date), was released in 1992. The two singles from the album, Mary Mary and Land of the Living, peaked at #55 and #60 respectively. Mantissa supported the Red Hot Chilli Peppers national tour followed by their own national tours to promote their releases.  In 1993 Mantissa located to USA and to promote the US release of Mossy God toured heavily, including a support for Mindfunk.  Mantissa returned to Australia in 1994 and opened for Pantera, played the 1995 Big Day Out then released another EP, Inter Alia, in 1995. They recorded their second album, Thirst (produced by Mantissa and Michael Letho). This album did not perform very well and after one last national tour they broke up in 1996.

Mantissa-Mossy God (1992) Polydor

1. Extro 04:22  

2. Mary Mary 04:46  

3. Staying Clean? 04:06  

4. Sanctify 05:25  

5. Mystery Line 05:26

6. Land Of The Living 04:34

7. New Way 03:20  

8. Station 05:56  

9. Next State Of Mind 04:44  

10. Dream Alone  04:32  

11. The Seed 04:13  

12. Round The World 11:30  

13. (Untitled/unlisted track) 05:43

Line up: 

Adam Pringle (vocals) 

Chris Paine (guitar) 

Chris Collins (guitar) 

Nina Grant (bass) 

Syd Green (drums)

Recorded at Gotham Audio, Warranwood, 

Australia in May and June 1992.

Produced by Terry Date