POWDERFINGER: Hindley Site... The Story of Powderfinger

'Powderfinger', the name of an old classic 'Neil Young' song, totally changed it's meaning in 1989 when three high school boys from Brisbane formed a band. The original members of Powderfinger were Ian Haug, Guitar and Vocals,. John Collins, Bass. And a guy called Steven Bishop on Drums.

Out of high school and studying architecture at Brisbane Uni, Ian Haug be-friended a guy called Bernard Fanning an economic style class. Together both being bored out of their brains in the class, they would talk about music only to find they have similar tastes and Bernard was a good singer. Ian gladly handed the vocalist spot over to Bern.

Drummer Steven Bishop left the band to be recruited, by funny man, Jon Coghill. Jon was first introduced into the band when Steven was still playing with them, he walking in on one of their rehearsals one day and started slam dancing, the guys apparently found this hysterical and didn't forget Jon's face. After Steven had left, Jon auditioned for the drumming spot, the band remembered him and must have liked his drumming, so he was then included in the now four man line up.

In 1992 the band decided to add another guitarist, Bernard and Ian found a talented, young and very energetic (Jumping on the table tops kind of energetic) guitarist playing in a local football club with a band called 'The Pirates'. Shortly after Darren Middleton, after being asked, joined the band, making this their last line-up change in their spanning ten year career.

1993-1995> EPs and Parables

Starting out as a local Brisbane cover band, Powderfinger shared the same rehearsal areas as the then unknown 'Regergitator, 'Custard' and 'Not From There'. They played gigs at local biker clubs nearly every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for around $200 a show. They saved up their earnings and borrowed enough from Darren's parents and Ian's new flat mate 'Paul Piticco' to make their first EP titled 'Powderfinger', which is also quite often referred to as the 'Blue EP'

The EP quickly sold out of its 1500 copies, and there was a small buzz starting to appear around the band. Polydor Records saw this and decided to give the guys a chance, giving them packaging and additional promotional money for a second EP. The release of the EP' Transfusion' showed that the guys were part of a promising band after is knocked Nirvana's 'Heart-Shaped Box' off the Number 1 position on the alternative charts. After this top, Polydor formed a contract which the guys happily signed.

In 1994 the band traveled down to Melbourne to record their debut album with producer 'Tony Cohen'. With 13 great originals the album 'Parables for Wooden Ears' was a great success, despite it getting near no radio exposure. They did a heap of touring promoting the album, including a spot on the Big Day Out in 1995. (Bernard now refers to the Parables era as their dark dark days)

Another EP titled 'Mr Kneebone' was also made in and released 1995. The powerful songs which Mr Kneebone provided are said to of been the turning point in Powderfinger's career.

1996-1997> Double Allergic

Back in the studios in 1996, and teamed up with producer 'Tim Whitten' the band had written an albums worth of new, and much more crafted songs. The single 'Pick You Up' was released first and was well accepted by radio stations like Triple J. It also got a bit of commercial airplay too, as did the next single 'daf'.

Next to be released was their second album 'Double Allergic' which was huge and sold over a quarter of a million copies, making 'Powderfinger' a house hold name who had teenagers into the alternative scene of music. Powderfinger did a heap of touring both in Australia and overseas, they once again were at the Big Day Out in 1997, but this time they played on the main stage along side of bands like 'The Prodigy'.

The album and it's singles gained them a heap of ARIA nominations, but didn't succeed in winning them an award, also commercial radio stations weren't playing their songs on a regular basis. Powderfinger needed to make an excellent album got not only gain more public appearance but to also top 'Double Allergic', it was a hard task but the five Brisbane guys did it with ease.

1998-1999> Internationalist

1998 their third album 'Internationalist', produced be American Nick Di Dai was released. 'The Day You Come' was the first single off it. Finally after years Powderfinger finally got a song on continuous commercial radio airplay- 'The Day You Come' was a huge success and got them the airplay and publicity they'd been looking for... as did the rest of the album. The band again toured overseas and in Australia, and played the '99 Big Day Out.

With another 4 singles off Internationalist which all got commercial airplay, the '99 ARIA awards arrived. Despite Internationalist being such a hit the band claimed they honestly weren't expecting to get any awards. Finally after 17 nominations throughout their career, Powderfinger came home with 4 ARIAs in pocket. The Day You Come was voted 'Best Record', while Internationalist won 'Best Artwork', 'Rock Album of the Year' and 'Album of the Year'.

2000-2001> Odyssey #5

The start of 2000 saw their song 'These Days' (made for the soundtrack to 'Two Hands') voted number 1 on 'Triple J's Hottest 100 of 99' Which is a huge feat, especially seeing as 'These Days' was not an official single, or even on the band's album.

In September 2000, the new album Odyssey Number Five was released to Australia and went Platinum within the week.

With Odyssey Number Five up their sleeves, and the strength in knowing their powerful back catalogue, the band have been touring around the world, with sell out shows being played in different countries all over.

The album has gone 6x platinum in Australia, and has been selling exceptionally well around the world. They have released 'My Happiness' over-seas, and made their OS television debut on the highly respected David Letterman Late Night Show.

The band's success with Odyssey Number Five was mimicked at the ARIA awards in 2001, where they picked up 6 or the 8 nominations they were nominated for. This included 'Band of the Year'. These were only a few of the many more awards the album received.

The 'New Suburban Fables' tour was one of the biggest Powderfinger have ever put on. It took them around the country, playing 3x back to back sold out shows at Brisbane's Festival Hall. 4x sold out shows at both Melbourne Festival Hall, and the Horden in Sydney . Their show in Perth saw them playing at the Perth Entertainment Centre which holds no less than 3000. Shows in Adelaide and Newcastle were also sold out.

A few months after this Bernard played the second solo gig of his entire career, with You Am I's "Tim Rogers", all money raised from ticket sales went to the Woomera Detention Centre benefit fund.

2002-2003> Vulture Street

Darren Middleton and his Side Project 'Drag' released their debut EP (Gas Food Lodging) in 2002, and have played a limited number of gigs up in Brisbane. A short tour down the East Cost of Australia was unfortunately cancelled after Darren become ill with the flu after their show at the 'Splendour in the Grass' festival.

The band also taken their massively successful New Suburban Fables tour overseas, playing to sold out crowds in the UK and US. Audiences to these shows and a one off secret gig at the Zoo in Brisbane were the first to hear the new rocking song 'Process This' and the more mellow 'Come On'.

The band have headlined the 2002 Livid 'one day series' festival. Along with artists like Oasis, Mercury Rev, Grinspoon, Motor Ace, Morrissey, George, John Butler Trio and Giants of Science (to name a few) Livid took the band to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The band again played the new songs 'Process This', and 'Come On' and also another new one called 'Rocking Rocks' (which Bernard apologised for the bad name).

(More on 'Vulture Street' coming soon...)

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