Showing posts with label Alt Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alt Rock. Show all posts

Friday, May 10, 2024

Shenavyre

ORIGINS: Pennant Hills, NSW
GENRE: Alt-Rock
YEARS ACTIVE: 1999-2003
 
MEMBERS:
  • Crystal Moloney- Guitar, Vocals, Flute
  • Rachel Sutton - Bass, Vocals
  • Tanya Kurukulasuriya - Drums, Vocals
  • Nicole - Vocals, Guitar (1999-2000)
  • Natalie - Guitar (1999)
RELEASES:
  • Demo (1999)
    • 1. Ainmosni
    • 2. Not The Kind
    • 3. Misconception
  • This is a Demo (2000)
    • 1. Ainmosni
    • 2. Jesus Loves Me
    • 3. Githm
SUMMARY: Shenavyre began under the name Pixie Fish at Mount St Benedict College, with four friends forming a band after being inspired by the Grounded Festival in Penrith. After one or two shows, the band shifted into a three piece with the remaining members Crystal, Rachel, and Tanya taking over on shared vocal duties. Shenavyre recorded some music for a Grounded Compilation CD that never went ahead and steadily gigged around Sydney, predominantly playing All Ages shows due to their age and also playing out West a fair bit due to the thriving music scene in Penrith during the late '90s/early '00s. 
 
After the three band members began university, Shenavyre began to decrease in activity until eventually joining up with Troy Zarb to form a new band, Tsunami. Many years later, in 2022, the band's song Ainmosni gained some airplay on Double J as part of the radio station's High School Band Competition, in which it was voted winner of the first heat. Double J incorrectly listed the band as being from Darwin at the time.
 
Backstage at Grounded Festival (2000)
 
SHOWS:
  • Blue Light Disco, YMCA, Caringbah - 29th March, 2000
  • Venturers Gig, Baden-Powell Scout Hall, North Rocks - 31st March, 2000
  • Grounded, Museum of Fire, Penrith - 17th June, 2000
  • 95.1 FM, Radio Station, Sydney - 23rd June, 2000
  • Castlereagh Hall, Castlereagh - 24th June, 2000
  • The Big Wednesday, 278A Kingsway, Caringbah - 28th June, 2000
  • Iron Duke, Alexandria - 6th July, 2000
  • Kickass Rock Cruise, Sydney - 9th July, 2000
  • PCYC, Penrith - 13th July, 2000
  • The Whole, PCYC, Parramatta - 21st July, 2000
  • Zound, Warrimoo Citizens Hall, Warrimoo - 9th September, 2000
  • Granny Smith Festival, Eastwood- 14th October, 2000
  • Forest Inn, Bexley - 15th December, 2001
  • Greenwood Tavern, North Sydney - unknown date, 2001
  • Gearin Hotel, Katoomba - 22nd December, 2001
  • Northpoint Tavern, North Sydney - 18th January, 2002
  • Band Comp, Manning Bar, Sydney University - 29th May, 2002

ORAL HISTORY:
TANYA: Crys had a music performance in a high school assembly one day and her friend, the drummer, didn't turn up at school that day. So in the morning she asked me if would learn the part. So at recess we went to the music rooms to practice and I played the drums at the assembly... I'd never played drums before but it was Pink Floyd's The Wall so it was an easy drum piece. We went to Grounded '99 together after that and were so in awe of all the bands on stage that we decided we also wanted to do that, haha. We had to practice in the school music rooms at the beginning because I didn't have a kit and Rach didn't have a bass. She later got one from her dad and my parents bought me a kit soon after when I convinced them it was not a phase.
Tanya Kurukulasuriya (Drums, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

CRYSTAL: All of us were quite new to playing our instruments when we went to Grounded, and we decided the next day we wanted to start a band. We practiced together a lot, after school, all school holidays, and started gigging not long after. We were influenced by The Offspring, Nirvana, Silverchair, Rage Against the Machine, and Australian bands like Sunk Loto, Loki, and Testeagles. 
Crystal Moloney (Guitar, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
RACHEL: We initially wanted to be a punk chick band but then we started writing songs and they weren't punk at all haha. It was definitely more rock. We also decided we were gonna share vocals equally because we all equally disliked singing. 
Rachel Sutton (Bass, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

BIO: Shenavyre are a unique-sounding four-piece from Sydney, born on the night of the infamous Grounded Festival in 1999. They were inspired by the great talents of Australia's finest young musical acts. A few months after starting up they were recording their demo and were lined up for their first few gigs. Nicole is known as the 'walking dictionary' of the band, who appears to be the quiet one, but trust us, once you get to know her she'll never shut up! Tanya never shuts up, whether you know her or not! She's the annoying one that you just want to stamp out and really lives up to the typical drummer stereotype. Crystal is the queen of bad jokes - she has one for every occasion! And trust us, they're really bad. So bad you might actually find them funny. Rachel is the psycho punk one, who is obsessed with the Beatles. She also seems to have fun impersonating famous bass players, like Lex from Frenzal Rhomb, Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Vanessa from Jebediah, Chris from Loki, Mike from Green Day, Greg from the Offspring and Chris from Silverchair... all in all, Shenavyre are a band that plays music that you listen to. With your ears.
Band Promo Bio, Version 2, 2000


Interview, Obzine Issue 9, April 2000

TANYA: I had lists of venues and loads of phone numbers, and I did our website too. We made a lot of friends by ringing up random numbers from Drum Media classifieds and just chatting about music. That's how we met Troy Zarb. We hung around Penrith late at night so much, but always felt safe. I reckon musos were and will always be a safe crowd.
Tanya Kurukulasuriya (Drums, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

REVIEW: Shenavyre were the only girl band of the day, with slightly longer set as Porndrug unfortunately had to pull out at the last minute because of timing complications. They seemed to play a few covers, but did this was extreme elegance. They held a growing crowd of girls cheering them out whilst they rocked out on songs like George Michael's Faith and The Bloodhound Gang's Fire, Water, Burn. They may be 'only girls' but they sure know how to scream out a tune.
Mark Alston/Lisa Jenner, review of Puddstock, Obzine Issue 13, August 2000

REVIEW: Shenavyre have always got me fooled. They are so young looking, but they are three girls who work off each other and combine their vocals to bring life to their grungey pop songs. With clever bass arrangements, heavy drop-D riffs, and the every-so-often screaming from their drummer, Shenavyre are an all-girl band with a difference. They played their popular 'Ainmosni', their amazing over of Yoko's 'Money', and a good mix originals with the occasional cover. 
Review of 'Zound' show in Warrimoo, Obzine Issue 15, October 2000

RACHEL: We played the pub scene a little bit but we started the band when were 16 so it was mostly underage gigs. We did do the Sydney Uni Manning band comp when we started uni. We came 4th and got to the semi-finals. Not too bad! Grounded Festival was a highlight too... there was going to be a Grounded CD for Grounded 2000 so we recorded one song ('Animosni') but then the CD never happened!
Rachel Sutton (Bass, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

TANYA: Our parents would take turns taking us to gigs whenever we had a show at a pub. We played all the usual haunts - Hopetoun, Vic on the Park, Annandale, The Harp, Manning Bar... At the Sydney Uni band comp, I remember the band who came 5th yelled at us in the lift and said we only beat them because we were girls. 
Tanya Kurukulasuriya (Drums, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
 
CRYSTAL: We started uni and Shenavyre quietened down a bit. The challenges of university classes took hold and we faded away... giving rise to Tsunami! Led by Troy Zarb, we embraced a new sound, fueled by Troy's original compositions.  
Crystal Moloney (Guitar, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

TANYA: We met Troy Zarb when we were playing as Shenavyre and he initially became our band manager. Then, after a while, he asked us to be his band, and we became the band Tsunami. Troy played guitar and sang in Tsunami and we played the other instruments and provided harmony vocals. We stopped writing music because we thought Troy was a musical genius - he wrote amazing songs that we really liked and we got swept up in the honour of being asked to be his band. We really looked up to him, we met him when we were 16 and he was probably 22ish.  
Tanya Kurukulasuriya (Drums, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

TANYA: Shenavyre later made a comeback on the radio. Double J played our song Ainmosni (it's 'Insomnia' backwards) and we won that round of the station's High School Band competition. The next day they played our song Githm but we didn't win that round. 
Tanya Kurukulasuriya (Drums, Vocals), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

RELATED BANDS: Tsunami, Crystal Moloney (solo artist), Tanya Natalie (solo artist)























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Sunday, March 10, 2024

Polystigma

 
ORIGINS: Quakers Hill and Upper North Shore, NSW
GENRE: Alternative Rock
YEARS ACTIVE: 1998-2003
 
MEMBERS:
  • Jaime Stigma (Vocals, Guitar)
  • Kimb Stigma (Bass, Vocals)
  • Unknown (Guitar) [1998]
  • Kirsten 'Kit' Stigma (Drums, Vocals) [1998-2002]
  • Wayne Keene (Drums) [2002-2003]
  • Clinton Toepfer (Drums) [2003]
RELEASES: 
 
  • The Peanut Gallery (1999) 
  • Embrace the Cheese (1999)
    • 1. Posie
    • 2. Miss Grunge Angel
    • 3. Pretty Soul
    • 4. Reason Why
    • 5. Die Alone
    • 6. Image
    • 7. Romantic Destruction
    • 8. Brain Leprosy
  • Power Puff Daddy (2000)
    • 1. Acid Room
    • 2. Reason Why
    • 3. Betty's Donkey
    • 4. Pallid & Frail
    • 5. Brain Leprosy
       
  •  Four Letter Word EP (2001)
    • 1. Low Light
    • 2. Professor
    • 3. Reason Why
    • 4. Pallid & Frail
    • 5. Suzie Blew
    • 6. Perfect Breed
    • 7. Wanky Bridge
    • 8. Acid Room
    • 9. Betty's Donkey
    • 10. Witch
  • Fresh Off the Road (2001) [QLD 2001 Tour CD]
    • 1. Stand Clear Doors Closing
    • 2. Acid Room
    • 3. Daily Juice
    • 4. Witch
    • 5. Professor
    • 6. Green
    • 7. Spite
    • 8. Ground  

  • Tastes Like Moonshine (2002?) [Live]
  • Such a Mouth (2003) [Live]
SUMMARY: Polystigma began after the three original members connected with each other via Drum Media classifieds while teenagers. They began rehearsing regularly at Noisegate Studios in Castle Hill and played lots of shows at the Green Square, Iron Duke, and the Excelsior in Sydney, as well as some shows in Queensland as part of the 'Who's Your Daddy' tour to Brisbane with the band Notion. Kirsten left the band in 2002 and they continued playing with new drummers until they decided to call it a day a year later.
 
SHOWS: 


ORAL HISTORY:
KIMB: I was really into Smashing Pumpkins and other alt-rock stuff from about 12, so I started playing bass for weekly high school 'sport' with a bunch of older guys who were into Satriani and Metallica. After a while my music teacher talked my parents into buying me a bass and that same week I picked up a copy of the Drum Media and read a classified ad from a few girls my age - 14, into the same kind of music, who were looking for a bass player. I hadn't been particularly looking, but was excited by the ad that almost seemed too good to be true. I reached out to them to audition and it all just fell into place.
Kimberley Galceran (Bass), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
JAIME: Before I even had a band together I was always looking for cool band names. I was in an aquarium once and saw a fish called a 'Polystigma'. I just thought it was a really cool word and decided that as soon as I got a band together that's what it was gonna be called. I then started the band when I was in Year 7 with a schoolmate of mine. We were always trying to get our friends to join our band but no one ever would. Then after we had found a drummer we put an ad in the Drum Media for a bass player and Kimb responded and it was love at first sight for us! 
Jaime Stigma (Vocals, Guitar), Cindy's Alternate Zine, 2003
 
KIMB: We lived for the band, sometimes rehearsing 3 days a week, spending way too much time hanging out at Noisegate Studios in Castle Hill picking up smoking habits. It's possible we were naive, but the scene felt supportive and safe, and I'm grateful to the bands and venues who asked us to join lineups... Formative and memorable years to say the least.
Kimberley Galceran (Bass), Noise Levels discussion, 2024

KIMB: Our first show was at Jack's Youth Cafe in Hornsby, we had 3 or 4 songs at the time, probably 6 months in. Somehow around this time, Kit got one of our super cheesy songs, 'Lonely Frog', played on the Ugly Phil and Jackie O show while she was volunteering there.
Kimberley Galceran (Bass), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
KIMB: We played two Grounded Festivals in Penrith; it was great to be on a big stage. Other highlights were any gigs where we got to hang out with friends, like Spudgun. I'm still really good friends with Simo (from Spudgun)."
Kimberley Galceran (Bass), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
 
REVIEW: One of my favourite local Sydney bands playing around are fast risers Polystigma, primarily a rock band with punk and grunge influences, for a three piece they make a lot of noise both live and recorded. They recorded this demo live to DAT with the vocals done after and for a demo the quality is amazing, the songs are great, definitely a development of maturity from their previous demo. Shame there's only five tracks on here because you are left wanting more. Jaime's vocals are a standout as are all five tracks. If I was to pick two standouts though I'd say 'Stand Clear' and 'Daily Juice'. 
Review of Demo by Brad Moore, Bombshellzine, 2001
 
JAIME: We were offered a recording contrast by Michael Long's new label (Jimmy Barnes, INXS) but decided to put it on hold for a while. We're really enjoying doing things independently at the moment. Having total control.
Jaime Stigma (Vocals, Guitar), Cindy's Alternate Zine, 2003
 
KIMB: Early on we were coming up with a lot of pop punk and grungey stuff, the subject matter was more immature. Listening back to these recordings I really feel like we found our sound in 2001 around the time of our live EP... There's a lot of pop there, probably more than we wanted but there's some nice contrast between the heavier moments and ballad stuff. Jaime would usually come with basic guitar progression and lyrics and I was really interested in song structure, we'd spend time working through that. I always loved her lyrics, which were sincere and about real situations, but hidden so we never even knew if she was singing about dynamics within the band, and a lot of the time she was."
Kimberley Galceran (Bass), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
JAIME: Our new drummer Clint is settling in so well. He's awesome. Such a good drummer and he just fits into the band. As soon as he walked into the audition I think Kimb and I just knew he was gonna be the right one.
Jaime Stigma (Vocals, Guitar), Cindy's Alternate Zine, 2003
 
REVIEW: They've been playing around for what seems like an eternity now with a few demo CDs going around and now it's time for the first proper release. This Sydney three piece have come up with a powerful debut, combining catchy hard rock riffs with at times almost pop vocals and at othertimes vocals as powerful as the guitars. Opening up with 'Midst Of A Spin' and the tone is set, a well-structured track, primarily rock but wouldn't go astray in the power pop field. 'Such A Mouth' is a track that could sit well on the radio, smooth intro leading into a powerful chorus that sticks. 'Self Serve' is the more angsty track on here, vocals ranging from hard up to just plain rock, a chorus full of hooks, one to rival the pub rock boys. 'Daily Juice' could very well find itself on the radio, the most pop rock number on here, still keeping up the power but stripped a few levels back, probably the most catchy track on offer, and one that shows they can pull it back and not just rock hard all the time. Closing it up is 'Dead Air', my fave track on here, powerful hard rock throughout, a ripper and one that would be a live highlight.
Review of Self Serve EP by Brad Moore, Bombshellzine, 2003
 
WAYNE: I was in a few bands at Noisegate Studios so I was there all the time. Polystigma were very much a Noisegate band and I was a big fan. I think everyone there was. They were seriously good and should have probably gone a lot further. Kirsten took a break and I didn't have to be asked twice to jump in so the band could continue. I played several shows with them and recorded the EP, which was awesome as I just saw myself as a fan the whole time sitting in on one of his favourite bands. I always hoped Kirsten would come back and they would take over the world.
Wayne Keene (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

JAIME: Our greatest achievement as a band was maybe getting the Self Serve EP finished. That was a bit of an achievement! Playing Groudned was awesome too and just playing with bands we really like and respect. Kimb and I also played in Ben Lee's upcoming film clip as his band.
Jaime Stigma (Vocals, Guitar), Cindy's Alternate Zine, 2003

WAYNE: I had a few bands - Mode 9, Suitable Few, Seattle Sound - going at the time so they got another drummer, Clinton, as a full time member. He's listed on the CD as the drummer as he was going to be a full time member but he didn't play on it. I'm not sure if he even played any shows before Polystigma broke up for good. He was an awesome drummer and it would have been great to see where he could have taken them too.
Wayne Keene (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
KIMB: I wish we'd kept going. We had a lot of good opportunities around us, worked with some producers and management, and had a potential label signing... nothing fully took off but I felt like maybe it would have eventually. Everything takes its natural course though, and I feel like what we lived through at that time set us up for things we're doing now. I wish we were still as close personally as we were back them, but there's no major regrets. I like to think there's an alternative universe somewhere where Polystigma made it."
Kimberley Galceran (Bass), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

WAYNE: I love being a part of the story but am happy for the band to always be known as those three girls as they did all of the work and achieved a lot with everything stacked against them. The Western Sydney band scene was a bit of a boys' club and they didn't bat an eyelid, just let their songs and talent do the talking. If they ever wanted to do a comeback show I'd be all over it though! 
Wayne Keene (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

RELATED BANDS: Kampei, Death Mattel, Quarter Acre, Katsamangoes






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