Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian pub rock[1] band based in Melbourne, consisting of vocalist Amy Taylor ("Amyl"), drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens, and bassist Gus Romer (the "Sniffers").[2] Their self-titled debut album was released in 2019. It was followed by Comfort to Me and Cartoon Darkness, in 2021 and 2024, respectively.
Amyl and the Sniffers | |
|---|---|
 Amyl and the Sniffers performing at The Piece Hall in Halifax, UK, 27 June 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members | Amy Taylor Bryce Wilson Declan Mehrtens Gus Romer |
| Past members | Calum Newton |
| Website | amylandthesniffers |
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their self-titled debut record won the Best Rock Album category.
History
edit2016–2017: Giddy Up and Big Attraction
edit
The band was formed by housemates Amy Taylor, Bryce Wilson, Declan Mehrtens, and Calum Newton in Balaclava, Melbourne. The four wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, in a span of 12 hours.[3] Newton left the band to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Gus Romer.
The band takes its name from the Australian slang for amyl nitrite, also known as poppers.[4] Taylor compared their music to the drug in an interview with Paul Glynn of the BBC: "In Australia we call poppers Amyl. So you sniff it, it lasts for 30 seconds and then you have a headache – and that's what we're like!"[4] Their sound has been compared to 1970s punk rock groups such as Iggy Pop and The Stooges and The Damned.[3] However, Taylor has cited a number of varying influences including Minor Threat, Ceremony, AC/DC, Sleaford Mods, Dolly Parton and Cardi B.[4] A second EP Big Attraction was released in 2017.
2018–present: Amyl and the Sniffers, Comfort to Me, and Cartoon Darkness
editIn 2018, the band went into the studio to record their debut album with producer and former Add N to (X) drummer Ross Orton.[5] The result was the self-titled Amyl and the Sniffers, released on 24 May 2019. It received generally positive reviews, including a 7.2 from Pitchfork[3] and 4 out of 5 stars from NME[6] and AllMusic.[7] In light of the album's release, Happy Mag placed the band at No. 9 on their list of "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now", praising Taylor for being "one of hardest rocking people on the face of the planet."[8] The 2018 single "Some Mutts" was used in Warwick Thornton's 2021/2 vampire TV series, Firebite.[9]
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At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Amyl and the Sniffers won the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album.[10][11][12] In February 2020, the self-titled album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize of 2019.[13]
On 7 July 2021, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album Comfort to Me, alongside lead single "Guided by Angels".[14] Later in July, the band released another single, "Security". Three days prior to the release of the album the band released a final single, "Hertz", alongside a complementary music video.[15] The full Comfort to Me album was initially scheduled for release in early October 2021,[16] but was pushed up and released on 10 September.[17] The album was recorded at Sound Park, in Melbourne.[18]
In June and July 2022, the band opened for Weezer, Fall Out Boy, and Green Day on the European leg of the Hella Mega Tour.[19] In April 2023, the band toured with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.[20]
In March 2024, Amyl and the Sniffers announced a US headline tour set for July and August of 2024, in addition to their US shows as support for Foo Fighters.[21] In May 2024, the band released the two singles "U Should Not Be Doing That", the first single from their upcoming album, and "Facts",[22] after which they announced a UK and European Headline tour set for November 2024.[23] On 21 August 2024, the group announced that their third album, Cartoon Darkness, would be released on 25 October 2024. The single and music video for "Chewing Gum" was released on the same day.[24]"Big Dreams", the album's third single, was released on 25 September 2024. On 21 October 2024, the group released the album's fourth single, "Jerkin'". The music video was released through the band's website due to graphic full frontal nudity throughout the video. A censored version was released on YouTube.[25]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [26] |
BEL (WA) [27] |
GER [28] |
IRE [29] |
SWI [30] |
UK [31] |
US [32] | ||
| Amyl and the Sniffers |
|
22 | — | — | — | — | 91 | — |
| Comfort to Me |
|
2 | 83 | 22 | 88 | 98 | 21 | —[A] |
| Cartoon Darkness |
|
2 [35] |
— | 9 | — | 45 | 9 | 196 [36] |
EPs
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Giddy Up |
|
| Big Attraction |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ Hot [39] | |||
| "Balaclava Lover Boogie"[40] | 2018 | — | Big Attraction |
| "Cup of Destiny"[41] | — | Amyl and the Sniffers | |
| "Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled)"[41] | — | ||
| "Monsoon Rock"[42] | 2019 | — | |
| "Got You"[43] | — | ||
| "Gacked on Anger"[44] | — | ||
| "Guided by Angels"[14] | 2021 | — | Comfort to Me |
| "Security"[16] | — | ||
| "Hertz"[15] | — | ||
| "U Should Not Be Doing That"[22] | 2024 | — | Cartoon Darkness |
| "Facts"[22] | — | Non-album single | |
| "Chewing Gum" | — | Cartoon Darkness | |
| "Big Dreams" | — | ||
| "Jerkin'" | 32 |
Awards and nominations
editAIR Awards
editThe Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Comfort to Me | Independent Album of the Year | Nominated | [45][46] |
| Best Independent Punk Album or EP | Won |
ARIA Music Awards
editThe ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.[47]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019[48] | Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Rock Album | Won | [48] |
| Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Cover Art | Nominated | ||
| 2022 | Comfort to Me | Album of the Year | Nominated | [49][50] |
| Best Group | Won | |||
| Best Rock Album | Won | |||
| "Hertz" by Amyl and the Sniffers, John Angus Stewart | Best Video | Nominated | ||
| Comfort to Me Tour 2022 | Best Live Act | Nominated | ||
| Amyl and the Sniffers & Dan Luscombe for Amyl and the Sniffers Comfort to Me | Producer – Best Produced Album | Nominated | ||
| 2024 | John Angus Stewart for Amyl and the Sniffers - "U Should Not Be Doing That" | Best Video | Nominated |
Australian Music Prize
editThe Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. They commenced in 2005.[51]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Australian Music Prize | Nominated | [52][13] |
| 2021 | Comfort to Me | Australian Music Prize | Nominated | [53] |
| 2024 | Cartoon Darkness | Australian Music Prize | Pending | [54] |
J Awards
editCommencing in 2005, the J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Comfort to Me | Australian Album of the Year | Nominated | [55][56] |
| Amyl and the Sniffers | Double J Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2024 | Cartoon Darkness | Australian Album of the Year | Nominated | [57] |
| "U Should Not Be Doing That" (Directed by John Angus Stewart) | Australian Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Amyl and the Sniffers | Double J Artist of the Year | Nominated |
Music Victoria Awards
editThe Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating music from the Australian state of Victoria. They commenced in 2005.[58]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Emerging Act | Nominated | [59] |
| 2018 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Band | Nominated | [59] |
| 2019 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Album | Nominated | [60] |
| Best Rock/Punk Album | Nominated | |||
| Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Band | Nominated | ||
| Best Live Act | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Band | Won | [61][62] |
| Best Live Act | Won | |||
| Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers) | Best Musician | Won | ||
| 2021 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Live Act | Won | [63][64] |
National Live Music Awards
editThe National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.[65]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Live Hard Rock Act of the Year | Nominated | [66][67] |
| 2019 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Live Act of the Year | Nominated | [68][69] |
| 2023 | Amyl and the Sniffers | Best Live Act | Won | [70][71] |
| Best Punk/Hardcore Act | Won | |||
| Best Live Act in Victoria | Won |
Notes
edit- ^ Comfort to Me did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at number 18 on the Top Album Sales chart.[34]
References
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- ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers". Damagedgoods.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ a b c Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Smith, Thomas (24 May 2019). "Amyl and The Sniffers – 'Amyl and The Sniffers' review". NME. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ Saunders, Luke (24 October 2019). "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now". Happy Mag. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021.
- ^ "New TV Series To Showcase Aussie Artists To Millions Worldwide". The Music. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ ARIA (27 November 2019). "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
- ^ MediaWeek (27 November 2019). "ARIA Awards 2019: Tones and I wins big & Human Nature Hall of Fame". MediaWeek. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
- ^ ARIA (10 October 2019). "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
- ^ a b Boulton, Martin (5 March 2020). "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
- ^ a b c Reilly, Nick (7 July 2021). "Amyl and The Sniffers announce new album Comfort to Me and share first track "Guided By Angels"". NME Australia. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ a b Jones, Damian (7 September 2021). "Watch Amyl And The Sniffers' Amy Taylor bust some moves in video for new track 'Hertz'". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ a b Jenke, Tyler (29 July 2021). "Amyl and The Sniffers Unveil New Single, 'Security'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ^ Cahill, Mikey (10 September 2021). "Amyl And The Sniffers roar back on blistering second album 'Comfort To Me': 'We needed to make a whole new thing'". NME Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Amyl And The Sniffers Kexp performance". YouTube. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Setlist for the Hella Mega Tour". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "The World Is a Vampire Australian Tour". www.oneworldentertainment.com.au/. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ "Amyl And The Sniffers announce U.S. headline shows, with support from…". Kerrang!. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Amyl And The Sniffers – "U Should Not Be Doing That" & "Facts"". Stereogum. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Amyl And The Sniffers announce UK and European headline tour". Kerrang!. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers Announce Album, Share New "Chewing Gum" Video: Watch". Pitchfork. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Skinner, Tom (22 October 2024). "Watch Amyl & The Sniffers' NSFW X-rated video for "cathartic" single 'Jerkin"". NME. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "Discography Amyl and the Sniffers". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
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- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
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- ^ @billboardcharts (4 November 2024). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved 5 November 2024 – via Twitter.
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- ^ "Big Attraction - EP by Amyl and The Sniffers". Apple Music. 2017. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020.
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- ^ Amyl And The Sniffers (2019). "Gacked On Anger". Spotify. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
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- ^ a b ARIA (19 September 2020). "2019 ARIA Awards Winners". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
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- ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
General
- Trimboli, Isabella (24 May 2019). "Amyl and the Sniffers review – turning pub rock bravado into punk mayhem". Theguardian.com.
- "Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers". Pitchfork.com.
- Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.com.
- "Daily Dose: Amyl and The Sniffers, "Gacked on Anger"". Pastemagazine.com.
- "'Mon the Sniff: Amyl and the Sniffers". Diymag.com. 23 May 2019.
- Dwyer, Michael (23 May 2019). "Here's trouble! Amyl and the Sniffers spray it like it is". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". Theguardian.com.
- BWW News Desk. "Amyl and The Sniffers Critically Acclaimed Debut S/T Album Out Today". BroadwayWorld.com.
- Smith, Thomas (24 May 2019). "Amyl and The Sniffers – 'Amyl and The Sniffers' review". NME.
- Skinner, Tom (6 March 2019). "Amyl and the Sniffers announce debut album with feral first single, 'Monsoon Rock'". NME.
- Bassett, Jordan (26 September 2018). "Aussie punks Amyl and the Sniffers – almost literally – tore apart London's beloved Moth Club last night". NME.