Back in 2000, a friend of mine turned me on to Grinspoon. He was a surfer and discovered them, I think, from hearing a track of theirs on a surf movie soundtrack. He then tracked down a copy of debut, 'A Guide to Better Living', and we both fell in love with it. From start to finish, we knew it inside out, and even, in our Skate Punk band, would occasionally cover a tune lifted from it, called, 'More Than You Are'. Ever since then I have been a huge fan of the Aussie rockers, and with parents living there since 2008, the "Grinners", are always my main band of choice when cruising up and down the Indian Ocean coastline of Western Australia. They make so much sense in that environment. Don't let that lead you to believe that it is just sunny, throwaway pop-rock though, you'd be way off the mark. I'm not going to go into the back story of the band, because an official bio can be found all over the web, if you're interested, and hopefully, after this article, you will be. They are pretty much unknown here in the UK, had some moderate success in the US, and are a household name in their native Australia. I'm using this to try raise some awareness on a band that mean a lot to this writer. They have something for everyone, and each and every one of their seven albums has it's own identity. When they first surfaced, they were lazily labelled an alt-Metal or post-Grunge outfit. Although this is relevant in some cases, the band have so many different sounds and have flirted with Punk, Hardcore, Blues, Country, Pop-Rock and a few more. At the end of the day, I've really only ever viewed them as a Rock band, that have loads of different influences. They seem to just write whatever they feel like, and for that, you can only give respect. Read on, as I introduce you to them, through ten awesome tracks, from across the band's history.
10. Sweet As Sugar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY1cClToiVk Let's start with a stomping, feel good, rocker. 'Sweet As Sugar', is only available on the bands 'Best Of Show' album that acted as Greatest Hits, basically featuring all their singles up to that point. Released in late 2005, it had tracks taken from two E.P.s and four albums. This number, was specifically recorded for this collection's release, I guess as a bonus for fans that already owned all of the featured songs. Driven along by an energetic, down-strummed chord based riff and driving drums, this track doesn't mess about and is a good way to get the blood pumping. The overdriven bass tone thickens up the low end a treat and makes the track rumble. Singer, Phil Jamieson, hits a home run, with a verse that is almost as hooky as the chorus. Oh yeah, that chorus! Try and stop it embedding itself in your brain. All clean vocals on this one as anything else just wouldn't suit the rock and roll vibe. A good choice if you need a jolt of feel good energy.