Porn Trooper

ORIGINS: Seven Hills, NSW

GENRE: Skate punk

YEARS ACTIVE: 1995-2001

 

MEMBERS: 

• Nick Chandler - Vocals (1995-1997)
  
• Greg 'Fish' McLean - Guitar
• Mark Campbell - Bass (1995-1997)
  
• Neil Bentham - Drums, Backing Vocals
• Wayde Billett - Vocals, Bass (1997-2001)
• Andrew Cappielli - Bass (2001)
  

RELEASES: 

• Demo (1997) [as Throbbing Cactus]

• Self-Titled (1998) 
• Mohawk
• Government
• Suburban Whore
• Mary Jane
• Family Next Door
• Innocent Swing
   

SUMMARY: Inspired by a shared interest in skate and surf culture, the band was formed by Year 10 students from Grantham High School under the name 'Throbbing Cactus', drawing influence from bands such as NOFX, Screeching Weasel, and The Descendants, and mostly playing punk covers. In 1997 there was a reshuffle of members, with the band becoming a 3 piece, eventually changing their name around this time to 'Porn Trooper' and starting to play their own songs. Porn Trooper practiced frequently at Party Pigs studios and they competed in a University of Western Sydney band comp in 1998 and came second. The band continued for a few more years before shifting back into 'Throbbing Cactus' for a final show. They re-formed again in 2021 for a reunion show.

SHOWS: 

• Luke's Party, Cranebrook - 11th April, 1998[as Throbbing Cactus]
  
• Prospect Pub - unknown date, 1998 [as Throbbing Cactus]
  
• Swamp Bar, University of Western Sydney, Kingswood - unknown date, 1998
  
• Green Square, Zetland - 7th December, 2001 [as Throbbing Cactus]

ORAL HISTORY:

NEIL: As Porn Trooper we played originals. When we were Throbbing Cactus we mainly played covers of the bands who influenced us at the time.

Neil Bentham (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

NEIL: We played out first paid gig at the Prospect Pub on the Great Western Highway, however, our gig was cut short due to a fight in the crowd with some bikies. We were paid our money and were asked to leave! It was $400. 

 Neil Bentham (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

RELATED BANDS: Linoleum, Fragment, Perry Mason, Medicine for Robots