Frenzal Rhomb
| Genre: |
Punk/Hardcore, Rock
|
| City/State: | Sydney |
| Website: | Official Website |
| Established: | 1991 |
| Members: | Jason Whalley (Vocals), Lindsay McDougal (Guitar, Vocals), Tom Crease (Bass), Gordy Foreman (Drums) |
Frenzal Rhomb formed in 1994, claiming their name meant "more than one penis" - in reality, the Frensel Rhomb was a light diffracting box invented by a French scientist. The band entered the prestigious Sydney University Band Competition soon after forming and finished in second place. Their debut release was the 1994 EP Dick Sandwich, which the band mixed themselves, though they came to wider attention with their ode to goon, '4 Litres', released as a seven inch single in 1995 and appearing on their debut album Coughing Up a Storm.
In 1996 Frenzal Rhomb were invited to support NOFX on their Australian tour. NOFX member Fat Mike, also the head of influential record label Fat Wreck Chords, signed the band and released '4 Litres' internationally after apparently losing a bet involving a game of pool.
The band cultivated a fervent fan base through constant touring, including appearances at numerous all-ages shows. Their live following was reflected in sales for their albums, with Not So Tough Now (1996) and Meet the Family (1998) attaining gold status in Australia and A Man's Not a Camel (1999) reaching platinum. The band also featured in many festivals, playing Homebake, Livid, Pushover and the Big Day Out.
As well as local successes, Frenzal Rhomb found favour in the US playing a three-month, 72-date tour with Less Than Jake and Blink 182 and doing two months on the Vans Warped tour in 1998, a festival which they would return to play in 2001.
With a live act and lifestyle to match, the band proclaimed themselves the "punkest band in the world". But it wasn't all smooth sailing, with founding member Ben Costello leaving the group and the band's singer Jason Whalley suffering (and surviving) a heart attack.
Sales for the album Shut Your Mouth (2000) did not reach expectations and the band was dropped by their label Epic, but soon signed to Epitaph Records who released their 2003 album Sans Souci. more ...
The band members engaged in various side projects: Lindsay McDougall produced the Rock Against Howard CD and played in The Self-Righteous Brothers with Whalley, releasing Love Songs for the Wrong at Heart (2005).
Frenzal Rhomb sparked controversy at a festival in Darwin in 2004 when they played over the top of radio personality Jackie O as she was trying to speak. Radio network Austereo insisted the band appear on Jackie O and Kyle Sandilands' radio show to apologise, threatening to bury the band by never playing them again if they didn't comply. However, the resulting interview turned members McDougall and Whalley into media darlings and earned them their first appearance on Triple J's breakfast show, which they would later go on to host.
The album Forever Malcolm Young was funded by the band after they won the equivalent of $40,000 from a $1 bet at a South African casino. It was recorded in 10 days and released in October 2006.
