Rhubarb (band)

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Rhubarb
Origin Flag of Australia Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genre(s) Rock
Years active 1996–2006
Label(s) Toupee Records
Website Official site
Members
Steve Drinkall - vocals, guitar
Dave Drinkall - bass
Caleb James - guitar
Ian Buchanan - drums

Rhubarb were an Australian rock band, best known for their song "Exerciser", released in 1999. They disbanded in 2006.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Rhubarb were formed in Brisbane, Queensland in 1996[1] by brothers Steve and Dave Drinkall with their Brazilian cousin (Paul Harvey) playing bass.

The group were discovered when they won the Triple J Unearthed competition for Brisbane with their song, "Zero", in 1999. The band's leap to prominence however came with their surprise 1999 hit "Exerciser", Rhubarb entered the top 20 of Triple J's Hottest 100. The band's debut album Kamikaze, released on the band's own independent label Toupee Records, achieved over 15,000 sales. Kamikaze was voted 'Album of the Year' at Queensland’s 14th annual Sunnie Awards (1999), and the group also won 'Best New Band of 1999'. With Triple J hits from Kamikaze including "Zero", "Pennywise" and the title track, the band proved they were far from a one hit wonder, becoming live favourites and playing at The Big Day Out, Offshore and The Falls Festival.

Their second album Slow Motion was greeted with critical acclaim in 2002, with radio hits like "Light on Your Shoulder", "New York", and the title track all showing a massive growth in the band's songwriting which displayed a subtlety and style of international ranking. A string of national tours solidified their live following, growing the depth and breadth of their fan base and playing with bands including Creed, The Whitlams, You Am I, Spiderbait, The Cruel Sea and Killing Heidi. Rhubarb also played at the 2002 Homebake festival.[2] The Australian and Courier-Mail both listed Slow Motion in their Top 10 Albums For 2002, while Rolling Stone (Australia) claimed it "totally irresistible".

Completing the Slow Motion period in late 2003 with another successful national tour, Rhubarb went to ground, writing, rehearsing and testing out material live for their third album. With Caleb James once again filling the producer's shoes, Start Again, was created throughout 2004, with the result a great progression into a record that redefines the band's rock edge while keeping the emotional depth of Slow Motion and hook-laden style of Kamikaze.

Tracks like "City Life" and "Self Control" show Rhubarb can simply rock out, while "Feet on the Ground" and "Start Again" show a heart and knack for melody that will broaden their audience even further. The recording process also saw experimentation with a range of different instruments, resulting in one of the album's highlights "Let You Down", recorded with a full horn section and funky breakdown, once more combining a variety of elements and making them uniquely Rhubarb.

Rhubarb played their last gig at The Zoo in Brisbane to a sold out audience. Grand Atlantic (long time touring buddies) and Hunz supported.

Among their most memorable live performances are the Big Day Out and the Australian Gospel Music Festival.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Album Cover Date of Release Title Australian Sales Chart positions Certification
[1] July, 1999 Kamikaze 15,000
[2] March, 2002 Slow Motion
[3] Sep, 2005 Start Again

[edit] Singles

  • "Zero" Independent (1999)
  • "Exerciser" Toupee Records (1999)
  • "Pennywise" Toupee Records (2000)
  • "Nice Girls" Toupee Records (2000)
  • "Light on Your Shoulder" Toupee Records (2001)
  • "Slow Motion" Toupee Records (2002)
  • "New York" Toupee Records (2002)
  • "Start Again" Toupee Records (2005)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Triple J interview with Steve Drinkall (2002)
  2. ^ 2002 Homebake lineup

[edit] External links