Grinspoon reviews, music, news

----- FROM THE BAND'S WEBSITE -----Australian indie metal rockersGrinspoon got their name from a pro-marijuana activist named Dr. Lester Grinspoon. Dr. Grinspoon supports the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and has shown an interest in the progress of the band. Phil Jamieson and Kristian Hopes met up with Pat Davern and Joe Hansen at a jam night held at 'The Gollan' on the 21st of July 1995. The four got together and wrote a song named Clockwork. Then, on announcement that Triple J were starting up 'Unearthed' (a competition to help get regional bands air time and the possibility of a r ...read more

----- FROM THE BAND'S WEBSITE -----Australian indie metal rockersGrinspoon got their name from a pro-marijuana activist named Dr. Lester Grinspoon. Dr. Grinspoon supports the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and has shown an interest in the progress of the band. Phil Jamieson and Kristian Hopes met up with Pat Davern and Joe Hansen at a jam night held at 'The Gollan' on the 21st of July 1995. The four got together and wrote a song named Clockwork. Then, on announcement that Triple J were starting up 'Unearthed' (a competition to help get regional bands air time and the possibility of a record deal) the guys entered a song called 'Sickfest' that went on to be the co-winner of the competition. 'Sickfest' then became Triple J's number one requested song for 7 weeks and the band Grinspoon was well and truly born. Grinspoon have toured with hundreds of different bands over the years, both Australian and international acts. Silverchair, Eminem, Blink 182, Pennywise, Anthrax, Unwritten Law, The Rollins Band, No Means No. Most recently the band completed their Panic Attack tour with Razel, 28 Days and The Butterfly Effect plus other special guests. Formed in Lismore during 1995, Grinspoon came to prominence via a national initiative from the JJJ network called Un-earthed. As the inaugural winners of this competition they quickly became favourites throughout the region and country. High demand and public request for the band's winning track "Sickfest" gave them the opportunity to tour nationally and work on new songs.They released an independent self titled EP later in 1995. After gaining significant experience from touring they were able to record another six tracks with producer Phil McKellar from JJJ. These tracks formed the basis for the EP "Licker Bottle Cozy" which was released in December 1996.Two tracks from "Licker Bottle Cozy" became listener favourites on JJJ and one of them, Champion also made it onto commercial FM. There was a limited release of 300 vinyl copies of "Licker Bottle Cozy" which have had collectors and fans scurrying everywhere looking for copies. As the band toured to support it, playing in front of bigger and bigger audiences. They commenced work on their debut album during February 1997 with Phil McKellar at Rocking Horse Studios in Byron Bay, the band's new home town.During this busy period the band kept their with their roots as they organised Jam Night gigs for local North Coast musicians and fans at their old haunt the Gollan Hotel. "The Difference is YOU" was written on many of the Jam Night posters and in many ways summed up the bands DIY attitude. This support of the development of other local bands who were getting started has left an indelible mark on North Coast music scene.The band's debut album "Guide To Better Living" was released on September 16 and debuted nationally at #11. The band hit the road in earnest and by the time the third single was released the album had gone gold. Constant touring throughout the summer of 97/98 found the band with a platinum album after the release of their fourth single "Just Ace".During 1998 the band made their first foray into the overseas market when Universal Records in New York picked up the Guide to Better living album. The band spent ten of the next twelve months touring America with bands such as Creed, Lit, Godsmack and Anthrax. Whilst over there they managed to record two new tracks which ended up on the Pushing Buttons EP. This EP was released in September 98 and has since gone double platinum.Work on the band's second album "Easy" commenced in August 99 with ex-pat American producer Jonathan Burnside (Nirvana, Melvins, Depeche Mode, Meat Beat Manifesto). Recorded in Sydney and mixed in Melbourne. The first single Ready1 included three non-album tracks and a CD-ROM component. The initial release of the new album included a bonus disc containing 11 live tracks from New Years Eve 98.'New Detention' was next on the bands release list, with 12 tracks featuring 'Chemical Heart' and 'Lost Control'. The CD has a multimedia component allowing fans to visit the secret part of the official site where you can play some awesome Grinspoon games. Produced, recorded and mixed by Phillip McKellar, the album has been exquisitely worked and has a sound all of its own. « hide

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