Rollerskates (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rollerskates


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Flagicon|AUS Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Genre = Indie pop
Years_active = 1999 –present
Label = QStik Records/MGM Distribution
Current_members = Jordan Johnston David Namour Stephen Callan
Gabriel Nicotra
Past_members = Lo-Key Fu (2000 - 2003)

Rollerskates are a five piece indie pop band originating from Perth, Western Australia. Rollerskates mix of electronic sounds, tight dance music, hip-hop undertones, rock elements and touches of funk have seen this five piece grow into a popular music group in Perth.

Biography

Early years

Within a year of their formation (1999), Rollerskates had already won two Western Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMi's) for 'Most Promising New Band' and 'Best Funk Act'Fact|date=June 2008. In 2001 the band released their first EP "Tell Your Mother To Tell Her Friends". The EP was released by local record label, QStik Records and distributed nationally through MGM Distribution. It received support from community radio stations across Australia, as well as Triple J exposure with live performances on 'The Oz Music Show' and 'Hip Hop Show'.

This exposure helped the band reach a whole new audience nationwide, as well as solidifying their already growing fan base at home. This was boosted by Rollerskates reaching the final round of [Channel V|Channel [V] 's Leg Up Competition.

Inspired by the performance of the first EP, Rollerskates moved back into the recording studio with well known engineer/producer Shaun O'Callaghan (Eskimo Joe/Gyroscope/John Butler Trio). The result was the well receivedFact|date=June 2008 and popular EP "The Movement". "The Movement" EP was launched in March 2002 at Perth's Globe Entertainment Complex and featured support performances by the likes of On Inc and Jedi Master J from 28 Days. The EP in addition to the seven tracks provided a multimedia component in a unique case.

The Movement

"The Movement" EP marked a bigger and better level for the band, with three songs off the CD, "The Movement", "Half A Loaf Of Funk - Remix" and "H.A.R.M" being added to national rotation on Triple J [ [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/ozmusic/playlists/s539762.htm Triple j playlist 2002] [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/ozmusic/playlists/s528379.htm Triple j playlist 2002] ] , as well as receiving airplay on radio stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. The entertaining music video for "The Movement" received national airplay on ABC's Rage, [Channel V|Channel [V] and MTV and was awarded Best Local Music Video at the 2002 WAMi Awards.

Rollerskates embarked on their first East Coast Tour in July 2002, playing to moderate sized crowds in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as a sell out crowd at SJ's in Newcastle, where they (for the second time) supported Machine Gun Fellatio. Continuing on from this exposure Rollerskates were invited to play at 'Music Business Adelaide', impressing industry types from all over the country with their live performance.

Polyether 1944

"Polyether 1944", with its eerie, space-like vibe was the bands third release, gaining immediate rotation all over the country in 2003. The music video for "Polyether 1944" with its innovative use of animated effects was added to the playlists of [Channel V|Channel [V] , Rage [ [http://www.abc.net.au/rage/playlist/archive/2003/20030712.htm rage playlist (July, 2003)] ] (ABC) and Saturday Morning Fly (ABC). Not long after, the band embarked on its second East Coast Tour in early 2004, this time incorporating Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Sydney.

The band has also performed at the Perth Big Day Out in 2002 and 2004 and was named as Triple J's first Australian Music 'New Wave' band for Ausmusic Month in November 2001.

Rollerskates have been the supporting band for a number of well-known national artists including Gerling, Jebediah, Magic Dirt, Machine Gun Fellatio, One Dollar Short, Resin Dogs, Pre-Shrunk and Regurgitator.

New Album

The band has been on a brief hiatus, working on new material for their much-anticipated first album, "Rekkid", which is in its final stages before final mastering. The new album promises to be innovative and entertaining, incorporating new sounds and techniques to further enhance the already unique Rollerskates sound.

The first new single, released from the album, in early 2005 was "Gettit". It received significant nationwide attention with Triple J putting it on its 'Hitlist', giving it high rotation and further raising the profile of the band.

In May 2006 the band released the second single, "Picture Book", from their long awaited debut album.

Band Members

*Mofloleigh - Vocals / Samples
*Jordan Johnston - guitar/vocals
*David Namour - bass
*Stephen Callan - keyboards/vocals
*Gabriel Nicotra - drums/percussion

Discography

Albums

* "Rekkid" (2007)

EP's

*"Tell Your Mother To Tell Her Friends" - QStik Records/MGM (1 May, 2001)
*'The Movement" - QStik Records/MGM (2 April, 2002)

ingles

*"Polyether 1944" - (2003)
*"Seventy Pie" - (2004)
*"Gettit" - (2005)
*"Picture Book" - QStik Records/MGM Distribution (2006)

Trivia

*Steve Callan, Gabriel Nicotra and David Namour also play in Perth band The Panda Band.

References

External links

* [http://www.rollermusic.com Official Site]
* [http://www.amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=1817 Australian Music Online]