Bodyjar
Encyclopedia
Bodyjar were an Australian punk rock
/pop punk
band based in Melbourne. They began performing under the name Bodyjar in 1994; their previous names included Damnation and Helium.
and in early 2004 Shane replaced long-time drummer Ross Hetherington who had been with the band since original drummer Charles Zerafa left after the recording of Take A Look Inside.
Bodyjar would gain universal recognition as early as 1995, while touring with Pennywise and Blink-182
. The band would follow up with a tour of Canada, Japan, and the U.S. the following year, promoting the 'Rimshot' album. Their third album, 'No Touch Red' was recorded the following year in Montreal over 12 days. Guitarist Ben Peterson would leave the band following the 1999 Big Day Out
Festival with Marilyn Manson
, Hole
and Korn
. Facing an impending breakup, the band added Tom Read of 180 Discord to the lineup. That year Bodyjar would also sign with EMI
/Capitol
, having completed 33 song demos for their upcoming release. Though independent for the majority of their career, Bodyjar released two studio albums for EMI
/Capitol
in the early 2000s. The first album for the major label, How It Works
, reached the top 20 on the Australian ARIAnet albums chart in 2000 and achieved gold sales (35,000 copies). The album’s first single "Not the Same" was also featured in a Pepsi
campaign and the video games Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
and MX Superfly
. After their second major label album Plastic Skies
and the retrospective Jarchives, featuring new and rare material, failed to build on the success of How It Works
, Bodyjar begun anew with their old label Shock Records
, starting in 2004 with their 2005 release self-titled album. In May 2004, however, Ross Hetherington would leave the band while on tour with The Offspring
. Hetherington was temporarily replaced for the tour's duration by Gordy Forman of Frenzal Rhomb
. The roll was then filled by Shane Wakker of the band Channel 3 and dance troop named 'The Nazi Synthesizers'. Shane from the Victorian
town of Moe
, was named the group's permanent drummer later that year.
Despite having their commercial peak seemingly behind them, Bodyjar remained a major attraction on the all-ages circuit in Australia, and continued to tour and play festivals. Selections from their discography have also been repackaged and released for the American and Japanese markets, where they have consolidated live followings.
At the beginning of 2007, Baines and Wakker launched their new harder-edged side project now called Cola Wars
, a moniker which Baines has used for various projects since 1999. Mark Brunott (Automan/The Volume10/Steelbirds) and Mikey Juler (ex-For Amusement Only) complete the lineup. The band have played under other pseudonyms over the last year including Daughters of the Rich and William Shatner's Dacks.
Also Read and Relf, have their own side project known as Burn The City. Partnered with Harish Chabria and Pete Cerni, their debut self titled album was released through Dstar records.
Despite an announcement on the official Bodyjar website, as of 10 January 2008, a new album "looks to be shaping up for late in the year". However, the band announced on 4 September 2009 they would be calling it quits after a farewell tour.
The band however reformed for a one off gig in April 2011 to celebrate the Royal Artillery Hotel (The Arthouse) last drinks calendar in April.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
/pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band based in Melbourne. They began performing under the name Bodyjar in 1994; their previous names included Damnation and Helium.
History
The lineup at the time Bodyjar disbanded included only two original members - vocalist/guitarist Cameron Baines and bassist Grant Relf. Guitarist Tom Read and drummer Shane Wakker completed the line up. Tom replaced founding member Ben Petterson who left before How It WorksHow It Works
How It Works was the 6th release from Australian punk-rock group Bodyjar. The single from the album "Not the Same" was used by Pepsi in an advertising campaign in Australia. It was also used in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. It also featured in the video game MX Superfly.It reached gold...
and in early 2004 Shane replaced long-time drummer Ross Hetherington who had been with the band since original drummer Charles Zerafa left after the recording of Take A Look Inside.
Bodyjar would gain universal recognition as early as 1995, while touring with Pennywise and Blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
. The band would follow up with a tour of Canada, Japan, and the U.S. the following year, promoting the 'Rimshot' album. Their third album, 'No Touch Red' was recorded the following year in Montreal over 12 days. Guitarist Ben Peterson would leave the band following the 1999 Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
Festival with Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
, Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
and Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
. Facing an impending breakup, the band added Tom Read of 180 Discord to the lineup. That year Bodyjar would also sign with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, having completed 33 song demos for their upcoming release. Though independent for the majority of their career, Bodyjar released two studio albums for EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in the early 2000s. The first album for the major label, How It Works
How It Works
How It Works was the 6th release from Australian punk-rock group Bodyjar. The single from the album "Not the Same" was used by Pepsi in an advertising campaign in Australia. It was also used in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. It also featured in the video game MX Superfly.It reached gold...
, reached the top 20 on the Australian ARIAnet albums chart in 2000 and achieved gold sales (35,000 copies). The album’s first single "Not the Same" was also featured in a Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
campaign and the video games Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, often abbreviated to THPS3, is a skateboarding video game in the Tony Hawk's series. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision in 2001 for the Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation. In 2002, it was published for the...
and MX Superfly
MX Superfly
MX Superfly, released as MX Super Fly in PAL regions, is a motorcross racing game developed by Pacific Coast Power & Light and published by THQ for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo GameCube.-Career Mode:...
. After their second major label album Plastic Skies
Plastic Skies
Plastic Skies is the seventh album by Australian punk rock band Bodyjar. It was released on EMI in 2002 . In Australia, the album was also released with a free copy of the Warped Tour 3" CD....
and the retrospective Jarchives, featuring new and rare material, failed to build on the success of How It Works
How It Works
How It Works was the 6th release from Australian punk-rock group Bodyjar. The single from the album "Not the Same" was used by Pepsi in an advertising campaign in Australia. It was also used in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. It also featured in the video game MX Superfly.It reached gold...
, Bodyjar begun anew with their old label Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
, starting in 2004 with their 2005 release self-titled album. In May 2004, however, Ross Hetherington would leave the band while on tour with The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
. Hetherington was temporarily replaced for the tour's duration by Gordy Forman of Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb are an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1992 with mainstay Jason Whalley on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. In 1996, Lindsay McDougall joined the line-up on lead guitar and backing vocals. Two of the group's albums have peaked into the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart, A...
. The roll was then filled by Shane Wakker of the band Channel 3 and dance troop named 'The Nazi Synthesizers'. Shane from the Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
town of Moe
Moe, Victoria
Moe is a city in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. It is about east of Melbourne and at the 2006 census had a population of 15,582 . It is administered by the City of Latrobe council....
, was named the group's permanent drummer later that year.
Despite having their commercial peak seemingly behind them, Bodyjar remained a major attraction on the all-ages circuit in Australia, and continued to tour and play festivals. Selections from their discography have also been repackaged and released for the American and Japanese markets, where they have consolidated live followings.
At the beginning of 2007, Baines and Wakker launched their new harder-edged side project now called Cola Wars
Cola Wars (band)
Cola Wars is a four piece rock band from Melbourne, Australia signed to Inertia. The band consists of Cameron Baines , Shane Wakker , Mikey Juler and Mark Brunott...
, a moniker which Baines has used for various projects since 1999. Mark Brunott (Automan/The Volume10/Steelbirds) and Mikey Juler (ex-For Amusement Only) complete the lineup. The band have played under other pseudonyms over the last year including Daughters of the Rich and William Shatner's Dacks.
Also Read and Relf, have their own side project known as Burn The City. Partnered with Harish Chabria and Pete Cerni, their debut self titled album was released through Dstar records.
Despite an announcement on the official Bodyjar website, as of 10 January 2008, a new album "looks to be shaping up for late in the year". However, the band announced on 4 September 2009 they would be calling it quits after a farewell tour.
The band however reformed for a one off gig in April 2011 to celebrate the Royal Artillery Hotel (The Arthouse) last drinks calendar in April.
Studio Albums
- You Can't Hold Me Down, 1993 (as Helium)
- Take a Look Inside, 1994
- Rimshot, 1996
- No Touch Red, 1998
- How It WorksHow It WorksHow It Works was the 6th release from Australian punk-rock group Bodyjar. The single from the album "Not the Same" was used by Pepsi in an advertising campaign in Australia. It was also used in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. It also featured in the video game MX Superfly.It reached gold...
, 2000 - Plastic SkiesPlastic SkiesPlastic Skies is the seventh album by Australian punk rock band Bodyjar. It was released on EMI in 2002 . In Australia, the album was also released with a free copy of the Warped Tour 3" CD....
, 2002 - BodyjarBodyjar (album)Bodyjar was released on September 12, 2005. Bodyjar's self-titled LP is the first for drummer Shane Wakker, and independent label Shock Records following a moderately successful tenure with EMI/Capitol...
, 2005
Live Albums
- Is It Alive, 2007
- The End Is NowThe End Is NowThe End Is Now is an album by Los Angeles hip hop group LA Symphony. There were two different versions released, one by Gotee Records and one by Basement Records...
, 2009 (part of The Hi-Fi Official Bootleg series)
Compilations
- Singles and Stuff, 1999
- Short Music For Short PeopleShort Music for Short PeopleShort Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
, 1999 - Jarchives: 10 Years of BodyjarJarchives: 10 Years of Bodyjar"Jarchives: 10 Years of Bodyjar" is Bodyjar's second compilation CD, released in 2003. The album contains their most popular songs from previous albums , their cover of "Borderline" originally recorded for a Midnight Oil tribute album, and two new songs exclusive to the compilation - "17 Years" and...
, 2003 DVD release and album - Time To Grow Up, 2004 (BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
-only compilation with similar tracklisting to Singles and Stuff)
EPs
- Strange HarvestStrange Harvest"Strange Harvest" is a collection of stories by author Donald Wandrei. It was released in 1965 and was the author's fourth book published by Arkham House. It was released in an edition of 2,000 copies...
(limited edition), 1997 - You Got Me a Girls Bike You Idiot!, 2001
- You'll never kill all the ants, 2006