Custard (band)

Custard
Origin	Brisbane, Australia
Genres	Indie rock
Years active	1990–1999, 2009–
Labels	rooArt BMG
Associated acts	The Titanics David McCormack and the Polaroids The Go-Betweens Beachfield
Members
David McCormack Paul Medew Matthew Strong Glenn Thompson
Past members
James Straker Shane Brunn Matthew Strong Gavin Herrenberg Danny Plant

Custard are an Australian indie rock band from Brisbane formed in 1990.

Overview

The band were originally known as Custard Gun and featured David McCormack on vocals and guitar, Paul Medew on bass, James Straker (later in The Melniks) on guitar and Shane Brunn (who later formed Hugbubble and Vanlustbader) on drums. After a few shows and line up changes (namely James being replaced by Matthew Strong) Custard Gun morphed into Custard. Custard existed for about a decade (albeit with revolving line up of drummers - Gavin Herrenberg, Danny Plant, Glenn Thompson et al.). The band released five albums (Buttercup/Bedford, Wahooti Fandango, Wisenheimer, We Have the Technology and Loverama), two EPs (Gastanked and Brisbane) a 7" single ("Rockfish Anna"), various CD singles, two compilations of re-issued and rare material (Wacked Not Wacky and Brisbane 1990-1994) and a posthumous greatest hits compilation entitled Goodbye Cruel World. During their heyday they were a popular live act, appearing prominently for several years in the Triple J Hottest 100.

The band were colloquially known as "Custaro" through frequent misreadings of their name.^{[citation needed]}

Post-Custard

After the split, lead singer and guitarist David McCormack formed The Titanics with drummer Glenn Thompson also on guitar. Joining them were McCormack's ex-wife Emma Tom on bass and Tina Havelock-Stevens on drums. The Titanics did not last long, releasing two albums, Size Isn't Everything and Love is the Devil, before the group disbanded.

David McCormack has since released three albums and one DVD with David McCormack and the Polaroids[1] and continues to tour around Australia with a band featuring his brother Dylan (Gentle Ben and his Sensitive Side) on bass, Shane Melder (ex-Sidewinder) on drums and Cameron Bruce (of comedy trio GUD). Releases include "Candy" (2002), "Save Dave" DVD (2003), "The Truth About Love" (2004) and "Little Murders" (2009).

Matthew Strong later joined The Lost Gospel to play bass with the singer of Grinspoon, Phil Jamieson in 2004, which lasted until the end of 2006.

Glenn Thompson re-joined The Go-Betweens in 2001,^[1] having first played in the band in 1995.^[2] Glenn played on The Go-Betweens last two albums, Bright Yellow Bright Orange^[3] and Oceans Apart,^[4] and toured with them until Grant McLennan's death in 2006.^[5] Glenn released his first solo album - Brighton Bothways, under the name Beachfield in 2007.^[6] In 2010 he formed a duo with Adele Pickvance from The Go-Betweens, called Adele&Glenn.

In 2008 Paul Medew was a member of The Purple Hearts.

Reformation

Custard reformed for a one off event on 10th Dec, 2009 to celebrate Queensland's 150th birthday. They supported Powderfinger and were joined by a number of other local acts.^[7][8]

Since reforming the band have played one or two gigs per year.^[9] In 2010 the band performed at the 2010 Meredith Music Festival.

Custard also performed as a headliner act for 'Float On' in February 2011, a show presented by Mucho-Bravado and The Hi-Fi to raise money for the victims of the recent floods in Queensland, Australia. Those appearing were Little Scout, Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side, Screamfeeder, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Regurgitator.^[10]

Custard will perform again at the 2011 Brisbane Festival.^[11][12]

McCormack has not ruled out the possibility of new material, stating that "If the vibe's there we could do it".^[12]

Discography

Albums

• Buttercup/Bedford (1991)
• Wahooti Fandango (1994)
• Wisenheimer (1995)
• We Have The Technology (1997)
• Loverama (1999)
• Brisbane 1990 - 1993 (2001)
• Spaces by the Side of the Road DVD (2007)

Compilations

• Quarantine (1994) – Soundtrack to the video game
• Wacked Not Wacky (1996) – Compilation of rare songs and Buttercup album
• Goodbye Cruel World (2000) – Greatest Hits compilation
• Brisbane 1990-1994 (2004) – Compilation of first 2 EPs
• The Essential (2010)

EPs

• Gastanked (1992)
• Brisbane (1993)

Singles

• "Rockfish Anna" [7" vinyl] (1991)
• "Casanova" (1993)
• "Singlette/Flannelette" [Double A-side single] (1993)
• "Aloha Tambourinist" (1994)
• "Pack Yr Suitcases" (1994)
• "Alone" (1995)
• "Apartment" (1995)
• "Lucky Star" (1996)
• "Sunset Strip" (1996)
• "Leisuremaster" (1996)
• "Nice Bird" (1997)
• "Anatomically Correct" (1997)
• "Music is Crap" (1998)
• "Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)" (1998)
• "Hit Song" (1999)
• "Ringo (I Feel Like)" (1999)
• "The New Matthew" (1999)

References

1. ^ Hocking, Steven (2003-06-11). "The Go-Betweens". dB Magazine ed #306. http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/306/iv-GoBetweens.html. 
2. ^ McKenzie, Simon (1995). "The Australian Go-Betweens Show: Forster Interview". Time Off Magazine. http://members.ol.com.au/rgriffin/GoBetweens/199512GoBshow.html. 
3. ^ Dwyer, Michael (2003-06-20). "The Go-Be twins". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/20/1055828469171.html. 
4. ^ Blackman, Guy (2005-07-10). "Happy families". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/happy-families/2005/07/07/1120704484557.html. 
5. ^ Fazio, The Hon. Amanda (2006-05-09). "Death of Mr Grant Mclennan". Parliament of New South Wales. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20060509051. 
6. ^ F, D (2007-11-09). NME. http://www.nme.com/reviews/beachfield/9229. 
7. ^ "Q150 Celebration Highlights Proclamation Day". Queensland Government. 2009-11-03. http://www.q150.qld.gov.au/CelebrationHighlights/ProclamationDay.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-15. 
8. ^ Mengel, Noel (2009-10-10). "Powderfinger and Custard pay homage to Queensland music". Brisbane Courier Mail. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,26187790-3102,00.html. Retrieved 2009-11-15. ^{[dead link]}
9. ^ Alexander, Mitch (2011-02-01). "Custard". Rave Magazine. http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/24977/30/. Retrieved 2011-08-27. 
10. ^ Scott Thompson (2011-02-09). "Float On". Time Off (1513): 45. http://timeoff.com.au/html/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7971:float-on&catid=13:live-reviews&Itemid=22. Retrieved 2011-08-27. 
11. ^ Williams, Rohan (2011-08-24). "Custard: Popping The Cherry". Scene (910): 24. http://scenemagazine.com.au/index.php/section-table/58-cover-stories/1535-custard. Retrieved 2011-08-27. 
12. ^ ^{a b} Bell, Steve (2011-08-24). "Prodigal Sons". Time Off (1541): 16. 

External links

• Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived April 7, 2002)