Punnet (band)

Punnet is the offspring of the successful yet short-lived 'Cambo 2000,' an improvised, experimental comedy group coming out of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia in 2001. They had many cameos but were created and managed by Billy Barnard and Hugh Miller.

History

Key members Billy Barnard and Hugh Miller, formed 'Punnet' during the 2001 AFL Grand Final on a whim and recorded what was to be their first singles 'Pragmatism' and fan-favourite 'Footy '89' in Billy's bedroom studio in New Town. In a few weeks, their first album was finished and mastered. 'So on and So Forth' was an eclectic mix of acoustic comedy, electronica and intense metal. Other singles to come off this album included the satirical 'The Doktor is in,' the experimental 'Basim and Greg's Drug Empire' and the critically appraised 'Drummo for Hugh.'

Punnet's second album was again quickly recorded and mastered in New Town, Hobart and immediantly opened Punnet's audience to a much more mainstream following. 'Time to Mature' was a much more focused effort from the band and introduced some welcome collaborations with Paul Bender and John Campbell. The first single to be lifted off the album, 'ZMUD' took Tasmania by storm, and single-handledly launched Punnet as the 'in-band' of 2001. Follow ups 'Hairy Darkness,' 'Hugh and His Trucks' and 'OK Galliano' went well in the charts, but following success came scandal; with the CDs bonus track 'Two Dicks' being cut from final production due to it offending segemtns of the population.

2002 saw a much quieter year from Punnet with Barnard pursuing a solo career and both members in their last year of school. However, pressures from the record company saw a rushed release of b-sides and live takes called 'B-sides and Live Takes.' The album went down extremely poorly with critics, the saving grace of the album being the unusual time signature in 'Pathetic Tribute to Ducks.' Punnet's last studio work is perhaps their rarest, as it was never mastered and officially sources say the band never actually finished a playlist or cover art. However, Punnet once again soured to new heights with the enormously popular singles, 'Snuggles,' 'Trig in Da Hood' and 'It Was Paul...' All these tracks finished up on the bands two greatest hits compilations, 'A Punnet Christmas' and 'Punnet Family Favourites.'

Although rumours of a comeback album are pushed around almost daily, the possibility now is minute as Barnard moved to Queensland. Before he left Punnet recorded an epic remix of 'Black Bat Kastle' from their first album. Again, it was lost by Barnard and only a distant memory to the band members. Barnard now works as a sideshow alley carney in the Gold Coast and also as a hard NRG DJ. Miller can be seen on stage in Hobart or occasionally headlining Hobart comedy band Wangle featuring Dan Taylor.

Lineup

Billy Barnard - Vocals, Keyboard, Percussion, Decks

Hugh Miller - Vocals, Guitar, Percussion, Decks

Paul Bender - Guitar

John Campbell - Vocals

Ben McKay - Vocals

Pat Sherwood - Vocals

Discography

2001 - So On and So Forth

2001 - Time to Mature

2002 - B-Sides and Live Takes

2002 - Dance Hits (Unofficial Release)

2002 - A Punnet Christmas

2003 - Punnet Family Favourites

Links

[http://www.myspace.com/punnet Punnet Myspace]