The Mess Hall

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Mess Hall


Img_capt =
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Sydney, Australia
Genre = Blues-rock
Indie rock
Garage rock
Years_active = 2001–present
Label = Shock Records Ivy League Records
URL = [http://www.themesshall.com.au/ Official website]
Current_members = Jed Kurzel Cec Condon
Past_members = Anthony Johnsen (2001–2003)
Associated_acts = Silverchair

The Mess Hall are a two-piece drums and guitar combo based in Sydney, Australia specialising in "raw, edgy bluesy rock." The band consists of Jed Kurzel (vocals/guitar) and Cec Condon (drums/vocals).
cquote|"When plugged in and turned up, the duo produce enough energy to power a house full of floodlights"cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.mushroommusic.com/songwriters/songwriter.asp?id=513 | title = Songwriters: The Mess Hall | publisher = Mushroom Music | accessdate = 2006-06-02]
— "The Sydney Morning Herald"

The band often find themselves being compared to The White Stripes but Kurzel expresses otherwise. "When we started to do our thing there was no White Stripes around. A lot of people I'm influenced by are a lot of old poor guys from the Mississippi who just play really honest and a dirty sort of blues. That's where The Mess Hall come from. We really never set out to be a two piece. It was just something that worked out that way". [cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.australianmusician.com.au/DisplayStory.asp?StoryID=13 | title = The Mess Hall | publisher = "Australian Musician" | accessdate = 2006-06-01]

History

Early days

Original members Jed Kurzel and Anthony Johnsen began playing shows in 2001 and quickly gained a reputation as an exciting live act. They also recorded their self-titled lo-fi album, to distribute at live events. In 2005 the band signed with Shock Records and released the EP, "Feeling Sideways". Produced by Matt Lovell (Something for Kate) and Chris Joannou and Yon Garfias (Silverchair), the short album earned an ARIA nomination for Best Independent Release. [cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/1530/ | title = The Mess Hall:Poised To Release New Dirty Blues | publisher = Faster Louder | accessdate = 2006-06-02] The same year, Johnsen left the band and was replaced by drummer Cec Condon [cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.xpressmag.com.au/archives/2005/08/the_mess_hall_j.php | title = THe Mess Hall - Jed Engine | publisher = X-press Online | accessdate = 2006-06-01] of The Tremors and Mexico City.

Notes From A Ceiling

In 2005, The Mess Hall released "Notes From A Ceiling" after a lot of anticipation. Jed Kurzel said the only recollection he has of recording the album is that Cec Condon nearly set fire to the studio whilst barbecuing, and that while he was suffering vertigo, the attending doctor was more interested in whether the band were touring on the next Big Day Out than attending to his illness [cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.amo.org.au/release.asp?id=7336 | title = Notes From A Ceiling | publisher = Australian Music Online | accessdate = 2006-05-31] . As well as releasing the singles "Metal And Hair" and "Pills", the song "Disco 1" received consistent radio play time on Triple J. The album won an ARIA award for Best Engineer and was included in both Triple J and Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums of 2005.

Devils Elbow

During September 2007 The Mess Hall signed to Ivy League Records and released their new album "Devils Elbow". Soon after its release, the album won the Australian Music Prize, gifting the band $25,000 in prizemoney. As their momentum started, the Mess Hall also won the support slot for the Foo Fighters' Australian tour.

Tours

The band have played on the same bill as [cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.homebake.com.au/2003/bands.html | title = Homebake 2003 bands | publisher = Homebake.com.au | accessdate = 2006-06-05] Tenacious D, You Am I, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Strokes, Kings of Leon and Jet as well as playing at the Splendour in the Grass, Homebake, Falls and Big Day Out festivals. They have toured to Japan and the USA, including performances at SXSW [cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/aust/3820/ | title = SxSW Welcome An Australasian Talent Influx | publisher = Faster Louder | accessdate = 2006-06-02] in Austin. The band has such covers on their live set list such as Nirvana's "Breed" and Mudhoney's "Touch Me I'm Sick". Currently touring Australia with Foo Fighters.

Discography

Albums and EPs

*"The Mess Hall" (2001)
*"Feeling Sideways" (2003)
*"Evelyn" (2005)
*"Notes From A Ceiling" (2005)
*"Devils Elbow" (2007)

ingles

*"Pills" (2005)
*"Metal And Hair" (2005)
*"Keep Walking" (2007)

Awards and nominations

Awards

*2008 Australian Music Prize, for Devils Elbow
*2005 ARIA Awards, Engineer of the Year for "Notes From A Ceiling

Nominations

*2003 ARIA Awards, Best Independent Release for "Feeling Sideways"
*2005 ARIA Awards, Producer of the Year for "Notes From A Ceiling"
*2005 Australian Music Prize, Album of the Year for "Notes From A Ceiling"
*2006 Jack Awards, Best Live Band
*2006 Jack Awards, Best Lead Guitarist - "Jed Kurzel" [cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2006/jan06/20060118_jackawards.html | title = The Jack Awards Nominees Announced | publisher = undercover.com.au | accessdate = 2006-06-05]

References

External links

* [http://www.themesshall.com.au The Mess Hall official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/themesshall MySpace page]
* [http://www.waterfrontrecords.com/releases/releases.asp?Action=DisplayArtist&ArtistID=12114 The Mess Hall's Cd's available from Waterfront Records]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/gallery/wolfmother021105/ The Mess Hall at triplej.net.au]