Snout (band)
Encyclopedia
Snout were an Australian independent rock band who were formed in Melbourne in 1991 and disbanded in 2002. They released numerous recordings and were twice nominated for an Australian Record Industry Association Award. Ross McLennan, the founder of the band, has since gone on as a solo artist who has been nominated for the Australian Music Prize
. Anthony Paine, has also gone on to be nominated for this award, with the group Black Cab.
compilation, Slice Two They went on to be a fixture of the Australian independent music scene until their demise in 2002.
The band's first release in their own right was in 1993 with the Cleans and Brightens EP, through the Au Go Go label. In 1994 they released their debut album, What's That Sound?
The lineup at this time consisted of Ross McLennan (Bass and vocals), Rob Wolf (Guitar and backing vocals) and Hugh Williams (Drums).
Soon after the recording of What's That Sound?, Rob and Hugh left the band. McLennan recruited Greg Ng for guitar and backing vocal duties. Ng had previously fronted Melbourne shoegaze exponents Afterglow. New drummer, Ewan McCartney had previously performed with Ripe.
This combination recorded the band's most successful releases; The New Pop Dialogue (1996) and Circle High and Wide (1998).
This lineup remained stable until 1999, when Ng left the band and was replaced by Anthony Paine, of High Pass Filter
, who played guitar on the band's final album, Managing Good Looks (2001). This album was released on W.Minc Productions, run by Graham Lee
(The Triffids
) and Steve Miller (The Moodists
)
Snout played extensively on the live circuit in Australia, leaving Melbourne regularly to tour in their own right and with other prominent names of the era. They also played festivals such as The Big Day Out, Falls Festival, Sunny Sedgewick, Livid and Meredith Music Festival.
Snout played their final gig in November 2002, in Melbourne at the Rob Roy Hotel.
During the 2010 Australian Federal election campaign, Australian Greens candidate Adam Bandt
, professed that "I am a fan of jangle-pop bands like Bidston Moss, Underground Lovers, Ross McLennan and Snout,"
radio's Hottest 100
chart.
In 1997, The New Pop Dialogue was nominated for an Australian Record Industry Association Award in the Best Pop Release category, won that year by Savage Garden's
single To the Moon and Back.
The following year, Circle High and Wide was nominated for an ARIA Award in the same category, eventually won by Natalie Imbruglia's
Left of the Middle.
and Sherry Rich
) and as a member of Dan Brodie & the Broken Arrows
. Meanwhile, Paine could be found playing with The Hired Guns. McLennan also teamed up with his brother Link, front man of The Meanies
to form the lo-fi duo, Meuscram.
.
Greg Ng released the hip-hop inspired, Straight Out of M-Town under the name DCP. Ewan McCartney went on to drum with The Bakelite Age. Meanwhile, Paine can be found building and repairing guitars under the name Harvester Guitars as well as continuing to be involved with bands. Notably, Black Cab who were nominated for the Australian Music Prize in 2009. Rob Wolf moved to Queensland and works for John Deere tractors. Hugh Williams lives in the United States and is a Vice President at eBay
.
Albums
Singles and EPs
Appearances on Compilations
Australian Music Prize
The Australian Music Prize 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. The award made by Australian Music Prize Ltd, a sole-purpose entity sponsored by a variety of music industry figures and...
. Anthony Paine, has also gone on to be nominated for this award, with the group Black Cab.
History
Founded by Ross McLennan in Melbourne, Australia in 1991. Snout made their first recorded appearance the following year on a Half a Cow RecordsHalf A Cow
Half a Cow is an independent record label from Australia, established in 1990 by Sydney musician and music identity Nic Dalton.- History :In 1987 - 1989 Dalton ran a bookshop in the Sydney suburb of Glebe called Dalton's Books...
compilation, Slice Two They went on to be a fixture of the Australian independent music scene until their demise in 2002.
The band's first release in their own right was in 1993 with the Cleans and Brightens EP, through the Au Go Go label. In 1994 they released their debut album, What's That Sound?
The lineup at this time consisted of Ross McLennan (Bass and vocals), Rob Wolf (Guitar and backing vocals) and Hugh Williams (Drums).
Soon after the recording of What's That Sound?, Rob and Hugh left the band. McLennan recruited Greg Ng for guitar and backing vocal duties. Ng had previously fronted Melbourne shoegaze exponents Afterglow. New drummer, Ewan McCartney had previously performed with Ripe.
This combination recorded the band's most successful releases; The New Pop Dialogue (1996) and Circle High and Wide (1998).
This lineup remained stable until 1999, when Ng left the band and was replaced by Anthony Paine, of High Pass Filter
High Pass Filter (band)
High Pass Filter were a live electro-dub band formed in Melbourne, Australia. The band was active from 1995–2006 and supported many major touring artists such as Beastie Boys, Blues Explosion, Tortoise, Fugazi, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, The Boredoms and Mad Professor.The group began as a live dub outfit...
, who played guitar on the band's final album, Managing Good Looks (2001). This album was released on W.Minc Productions, run by Graham Lee
Graham Lee (Australian musician)
Graham Lee is an Australian rock musician and record producer, best known as the steel guitar player of the 1980s band The Triffids, where he was nicknamed 'Evil Graham Lee'....
(The Triffids
The Triffids
The Triffids were a seminal Australian alternative rock and pop band formed in Perth, Western Australia, in May 1978 with charismatic, David McComb as singer-songwriter, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboardist. They achieved negligible success in Australia, but greater success in the U.K...
) and Steve Miller (The Moodists
The Moodists
The Moodists were an Australian post-punk band that formed in 1980, when Dave Graney, Clare Moore and Steve Miller of punk group The Sputniks moved from Adelaide to Melbourne. They added bass player Chris Walsh and later added guitarist Mick Turner....
)
Snout played extensively on the live circuit in Australia, leaving Melbourne regularly to tour in their own right and with other prominent names of the era. They also played festivals such as The Big Day Out, Falls Festival, Sunny Sedgewick, Livid and Meredith Music Festival.
Snout played their final gig in November 2002, in Melbourne at the Rob Roy Hotel.
During the 2010 Australian Federal election campaign, Australian Greens candidate Adam Bandt
Adam Bandt
Adam Paul Bandt is an Australian politician and former industrial lawyer. Bandt was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in the 2010 Australian federal election for the Division of Melbourne...
, professed that "I am a fan of jangle-pop bands like Bidston Moss, Underground Lovers, Ross McLennan and Snout,"
Award nominations and recognition
In 1996, the song "Cromagnonman" was voted #89 in Triple JTriple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
radio's Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100
The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll, based on the votes of national Australian radio station Triple J listeners, in order to determine their favourite song of the year. Voting is conducted by the internet and begins roughly two weeks prior to the new year for the previous year's songs...
chart.
In 1997, The New Pop Dialogue was nominated for an Australian Record Industry Association Award in the Best Pop Release category, won that year by Savage Garden's
Savage Garden
Savage Garden were an Australian pop rock performance and songwriting duo. Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones formed the group in Brisbane, Queensland in 1994...
single To the Moon and Back.
The following year, Circle High and Wide was nominated for an ARIA Award in the same category, eventually won by Natalie Imbruglia's
Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Jane Imbruglia is an Australian singer-songwriter, model and actress. In the early 1990s, Imbruglia was known to audiences as Beth Brennan in the popular Australian soap Neighbours. Three years after leaving the programme, Imbruglia launched a singing career with the international hit,...
Left of the Middle.
Side Projects
During the band's existence, McCartney worked on the side projects The Grapes (with Ashley NaylorAshley Naylor
Ashley Naylor is an Australian musician, best known for his guitar and vocals in Melbourne-based band Even.In 1987 at the age seventeen, Naylor fronted an indie rock band called The Swarm. He occasionally played guitar with Melbourne band Pray TV on studio recordings and also live...
and Sherry Rich
Sherry Rich
Sherry Rich is an Australian alternative country singer-songwriter and guitarist, currently based in Melbourne, Australia.Also known as Sherry Rich Plant.-Biography:Rich was raised on Bribie Island situated off the coast of Queensland...
) and as a member of Dan Brodie & the Broken Arrows
Dan Brodie
Dan Brodie is an ARIA Award nominated singer/songwriter from Melbourne, Australia.His debut EP, I'm Floatin' Mama was independently released in 1998; followed by his debut album, Big Black Guitar. Backed by The Broken Arrows , Brodie signed to EMI who re-released his debut album...
. Meanwhile, Paine could be found playing with The Hired Guns. McLennan also teamed up with his brother Link, front man of The Meanies
The Meanies
The Meanies are an indie Australian punk rock band, formed in 1989. The current band members include Link Meanie , Ringo Meanie and Wally Meanie . The Meanies had a hiatus in the mid-late 1990s, but began performing again in 1998...
to form the lo-fi duo, Meuscram.
Post break-up
After the demise of the band, Ross McLennan, released material as a solo artist. Notably, his album Sympathy for the New World was nominated for the 2008 Australian Music PrizeAustralian Music Prize
The Australian Music Prize 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. The award made by Australian Music Prize Ltd, a sole-purpose entity sponsored by a variety of music industry figures and...
.
Greg Ng released the hip-hop inspired, Straight Out of M-Town under the name DCP. Ewan McCartney went on to drum with The Bakelite Age. Meanwhile, Paine can be found building and repairing guitars under the name Harvester Guitars as well as continuing to be involved with bands. Notably, Black Cab who were nominated for the Australian Music Prize in 2009. Rob Wolf moved to Queensland and works for John Deere tractors. Hugh Williams lives in the United States and is a Vice President at eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
.
Selected Discography
Albums
- ANDA 173 What's that Sound? CD(1994)
- ANDA 207 The New Pop Dialogue CD(1996)
- ANDA 236 Circle High & Wide CD (1998)
- WMINCD 022 Managing Good Looks CD (2001)
Singles and EPs
- ANDA 159 Cleans & Brightens CDEP(1993)
- ANDA 192 Night & Day CDEP (1995)
- ANDA 205 Cromagnonman CDEP (1996)
- ANDA 208 Winning Smile EP(1996)
- ANDA 232 Hey Hey Hey CDEP(1998)
- ANDA 233 Circle High & Wide CDEP(1998)
- ANDA 242 Got Sold On Heaven CDEP (1998)
- ANDA 248 Get In The Car CDEP (1998)
- BIRDHIPPED001 Stocking Feet Grooves CDEP (2000)
- WMINCD024 Non Stop Fun CD Single (2001)
Appearances on Compilations
- Penicillin - "Idiot Box" Original Soundtrack (1996)
- Karen - "Right Here - A Tribute to the Go-Betweens"