Charcoal Human

ORIGINS: Wollongong, NSW

GENRE: Grindcore, Tyrant Crushing Goon Core

YEARS ACTIVE: 1997-2002

 

MEMBERS:

• Ad Rukus - Vocals (1997-1998)
  
• Sophie Jay - Vocals (1998-2002)
  
• Barney Franks - Guitar
  
• Nathan 'Boogs' Player - Bass (1997-1999, 2000-2002)
  
• Aaron Clarke  - Bass (2000), Guitar (2001-2002)
  
• Brett Andrew Ellis - Drums
  

RELEASES: 

 

• Demo (1998) - Download Here.
  
• 1. Band Aid
• 2. ERA & Friends
• 3. Winner is Wealthy
• 4. Lop It Off
• 5. 5686
• 6. Law of War
• 7. Mole
• 8. Thief
• 9. Dissdent
• 10. White Guy
• 11. Worth More

• Self-Titled (2001) [split with Upside Down Flag]
• 1. Churches and Bricks
• 2. Mass Walrus Suicide
• 3. Perceptions
• 4. Clock In Clock Out

• Compilation-only Tracks and other
• Mole (2000, different version to one on demo) - on Necrotardation (Deplorable Records/Ghostmeat compilation)
• Dissident (2003, different version to one on demo) - on Personality Liberation Front compilation
• Cops and Robbers (2002, live) - on Hells Driveway 2 (compilation video)
• Sex Dragon (2002, live) - previously unreleased, recorded by Tegan Morrison.
• Cops and Robbers (2002, live) - previously unreleased, recorded by Tegan Morrison.
  

SUMMARY: Starting in the Wollongong punk/hardcore scene, Charcoal Human were a dual vocals grind/hardcore band. In 1998 they parted ways with original vocalist Adam and eventually added a second guitarist around the time of their tour to Queensland. In 2002 Charcoal Human had a residency of sorts at anarchist venue The Midnight Star, playing every weekend. The band ended when their drummer Brett unexpectedly passed away.

SHOWS: 

• Wollongong Youth Centre, Wollongong - 15th April, 1998
• Barbwire Ball, Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre, Thirroul - 17th January, 1999
  
• The Rex, Thirroul - 28th January, 1999 
• PCYC, Hornsby - 5th February, 1999
  
• Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre, Thirroul - 2nd May, 1999
  
• Senior Citizens Club, Thirroul - 17th October, 1999
• Senior Citizens Centre, Coledale - 19th March, 2000
  
• Animal Liberation Benefit, Iron Duke, Alexandria - 30th June, 2000
• Pink Palace, Melbourne - 9th September, 2000 (DAY SHOW)
  
• The Tote, Melbourne - 9th September, 2000 (NIGHT SHOW)
  
• Punx Picnic, Sydney Park, St Peters - 7th October, 2000
• Bat and Ball, Surry Hills - 21st April, 2001
• Hunter on Hunter, Newcastle - 2nd March, 2002
• Midnight Star Social Centre, Homebush - 19th April, 2002

Photo by Elissa Fletcher

ORAL HISTORY:

NATHAN: Charcoal Human was the first band that I put any effort into. I'd jammed a bit with friends, etc., but Charcoals was different. I was hanging out with Barney (who was doing vocals in Navel Graveyard) at a party in Coniston and there was a couple of guitars there. We jammed on a pretty basic riff and it steamrolled from there. I was good friends with Brett from Standard; we asked him to play drums and Adam (who drummed in Frontside) jumped on vocals.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

NATHAN: The name was decided when we had our first jam - it came from the idea of burning shit humans. I guess we were pissed at a whole bunch of shit that was happening at the world at the time and it was a passing comment, 'Someone should burn those shit humans', and a response, 'Yeah man, charcoal humans'. And we went with that. I think the name was actually decided on the day that Brett and Adam joined - we were all partying, 'Hey, join our band, it's called Charcoal Human'. I was actually a bit worried about the name at first but we just went with it.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

AD: The Wollongong punk scene at the time was really tight. Punk in general at that time was unreal - shows everywhere; it was sick. I played in Navel Graveyard with Barney and Boogs, and Brett I knew from my home town, and Sophie I'd lived with in the 155 Punk House in the 'Gong. Lots of us lived in that house, there were seven or so of us living there - we held shows in the garage out the back. So from that Charcoal Human just came together really. I'd done heaps of backing vocals in other bands so I found it much easier to just scream rather than having to drum at the same time.

Ad Rukus (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

First show. Pic from Barbwirepullthru newsletter.

 

NATHAN: We did a couple of shows with Adam on vocals. Sophie was in a band called Vomit and I had seen her on the train going to Vomit rehearsal - I was like, 'you should jump on and do some songs with us'. I always thought dual vocals was great and I had only ever seen Arms Reach do it. Honestly, I don't know if I asked anyone else in the band about it but everyone was cool with it. The South Coast had a tight scene in the '90s.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

SOPHIE: Charcoal Human had played a few shows with the first singer Adam and I was singing in my first band called Vomit. They asked me to join to do dual vocals with Adam. Dual vocals was very popular in the '90s! But Adam left not too long after and then I was the vocalist for the rest of the time until May 2002 when the band ended, which was when our drummer Brett died. RIP.

Sophie Jay (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

AD: My life was on a bit of a downward spiral around then. I've not many solid memories from the mid-'90s into the 2000s. Everything blurs together... it's a shame because that era was insane for Australian punk. I was heavy in addiction at that point so I left all the bands I was active in 'cause I wasn't able to function, basically. A move I regret dearly. Lost friends, lost opportunities, lost memories, lost myself. Everything is okay now, I joined Rukus on drums in late '06 - had to have a six month break due to nearly losing my head again but I've been with that lot since then. Most know about my struggles - I've nothing to hide, it's all a teaching moment.

Ad Rukus (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

Pic by Elissa Fletcher

NATHAN: It was probably about 3 months in when Adam left. He was doing Naval Graveyard and was also in Frontside, who were busy recording and touring. We just kept rehearsing when Ad couldn't make it and it eventually just turned out to be Sophie on vocals.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

SOPHIE: Our songwriting was definitely heavily inspired by the anti-capitalist movements of the time, also movements against mining and logging of old-growth forests. We did also have a song about oppressive Christianity and some commentary on gender and patriarchy. I think my identity (being anti-racist and feminist and queer) connected me to punk in high school and then being part of punk connected me to my lifelong chosen family, which reinforces my identity now. So it's all wrapped up together.

Sophie Jay (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

REVIEW: Charcoal Human impressed with their unique fruit violence blend, slowly getting a decent set length - keep an eye out for these crusty bums!

Review by Maris of Barbwire Ball show, unknown zine, 1999

NATHAN: Our first release was a live recording from the Rex, which was a pretty beat-up old pub in Thirroul. Now it's some middle age hang-out with a bistro and that type of thing. I think there we only made about 50 tapes; it had Bill Clinton thorwing the horns on the cover. I don't have a copy and I would like one, to be honest!

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

REVIEW: More Wollongong grind/death with dual vocals (including Sophie's screams to help you get to sleep). Music ranges from gut-wrenching slow bits to unannounced blitzing grind. For lovers of 88 roots in 20 second epics we have 'Winner is Wealthy'. I love their sputtering riff style, mad vocals, rumbling bass, and the way they create atmosphere with amazing drop hooks (I just made that up). One of my favorites.

Review of first demo by Con, Bar Code the World Issue #20, October 1999

NATHAN: I had moved away to Melbourne in 2000 and Barney had asked Aaron to fill in on bass while I was away. I moved back to Sydney and started playing bass in the band again and Aaron was then on guitar. Aaron became our second guitarist when we were playing shows in Queensland with Conation and Iron Sausage. Aaron was at the shows and that was my introduction to him. By the time I got back to Sydney, Aaron was dating a good friend of mine and they had a spare room and I moved in.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

 

AARON: I used to go everywhere with Iron Sausage, which is how I met and became friends with that Wollongong crew (Navel Graveyard, Charcoal Human, etc.) I remember getting both Charcoal Human demos at Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre at the Barbwire Pullthru South Coast Massacre show and loving them! Ended up living with Sophie in a few houses. I did guest extra vocals on a song at a couple of shows, then they asked me to join on second guitar. It was right before the 2000 tour to Queensland with Conation and Iron Sausage. I had joined but didn't play on that tour as we hadn't jammed yet. Was a fun trip regardless!

Aaron Clarke (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

SOPHIE: Highlights definitely include playing with Dystopia at Thirroul! The shows at the Midnight Star were always so fun too... and that was the era of shows at the Green Square Hotel, of which there was a lot. I also remember when Schifosi first came to Sydney and we played together at the Lord Gladstone Hotel on Regent Street. My most enduring memory of Charcoal Human shows was asking each other on stage, "How does that one go again?" We never took anything too serious!

Sophie Jay (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

AARON: I travelled up with Iron Sausage. It was a mad trip - met the legend Neil Bramley for the first time, he was doing vocals in B.A. Baracus at the time. I mostly remember having a hell fun time, mad vegan food, seeing Biceptasaurus, buying tonnes of records...

Aaron Clarke (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

  

On tour in Queensland

NATHAN: The Queensland tour was a blast. The whole Charcoals band went to Queensland without organising accommodation. We found somewhere to stay in Fortitude Valley with mirrors on the ceiling. We also played in Ipswich in a place with stripper poles on the stage. I don't recall who arranged it but we were doing a split with Upside Down Flag so possibly it was Aaron Borg, who was running the In League With Satan record label. He now does Bad Habit Records. The Queensland tour was with Conation and Iron Sausage - we played with those guys a lot; lots of fond memories.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

AARON: Playing Charcoals was mad fun! The songs were pretty simple, so I could rock out like a dickhead with a low slung guitar, ha! There was a point where people were really into it too, so the crowd was active as hell. I miss it. I did one recording session with Charcoal Human that resulted in the split 7" with Upsidedown Flag, some tracks for the Necrotardation and Personality Liberation Front comps, and a couple of unreleased songs.

Aaron Clarke (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

SOPHIE: The way I remember it, we parted ways with Aaron because the songwriting / genre aspirations weren't aligning. Aaron went on in the direction that Pure Evil went in, which was perfect and amazing for that band.

Sophie Jay (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

 

AARON: The band had broken up already and then reformed without me. The band had fizzled a bit, I recall. I was pretty busy with Pure Evil Trio and The Spitz at the time. I think maybe Brett had lost interest too, and Barney was pretty busy with GECO/forest blockades and just general mayhem. It was a while later when they got back together - I did play a couple of songs with them on bass during that time (I had also been bassplayer during the time Nathan was living in Melbourne). Sophie told me later that they were going to ask me to re-join, but then Brett passed and it never happened.

Aaron Clarke (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

NATHAN: Honestly, I never really thought we were a part of a scene in Wollongong. I thought it was just a bunch of friends playing music to a bunch of other friends. When Aaron told me that he and a bunch of people would travel from Sydney to Wollongong to watch us, I thought it was bizarre, like, 'Who the fuck would travel to watch us?', haha. Thinking about it now, I guess we were part of a scene. I hope it had some positive impact on people - it would be humbling to know that we were looked at in that way.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

SOPHIE: In May 2002 Brett suddenly died, which was a huge shock and trauma for all of us but I don't think we would have had the words for that back then. Nathan recently reminded me that Barney, himself, and I just sat in Sydney Park not knowing what the hell to do with our emotions. I was 23, Barney was probably 21, and Nathan is a couple of years older than me. We didn't know what to do - but decided we wouldn't play any shows in the meantime. Then in about September or so I left for the UK and that was it really. We never officially ended.

Sophie Jay (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

AARON: Brett's passing was sudden and unexpected. We all got a horrible phone call.

Aaron Clarke (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

NATHAN: Brett passed away on May 25th, 2002. It was my birthday and we were booked to play Melbourne that weekend. We played our last show (not that we knew it at the time) at the Midnight Star just three weeks earlier. It was a shit go for all of us. We stuck tight for a while and then drifted apart. We never really said we were no longer a band, we just haven't played again. I was way younger than the others at the time and for a while I felt resentment towards the band (not the people in it). It was a pivotal time of my life being in Charcoals; I felt grief and who knows what else. Looking back now it was all because I missed my mate - Brett was an amazing musician who could pick up any instrument and master it. Also an amazing artist. It was great to play alongside a great drummer, it really helped me develop as a bass player.

Nathan Player (Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

SOPHIE: This band was for formative for all of us - Barney, Nathan, and Aaron I would consider family even if I don't see them all the time these days. Also, the people in the bands we played and toured with, I'm thinking Conation and Iron Sausage in particular, left a permanent impression on me and John from Iron Sausage is still one of my best friends to this day over 25 years later.

Sophie Jay (Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 

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