The band was formed by housemates Taylor, Wilson and Martens and former band member Calum Newton (AKA Candy) in Balaclava, Melbourne. The four wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, in a span of 12 hours.[3] Calum left the band to pursue solo music and was replaced by Gus Romer. They take their name from the Australian slang for amyl nitrite, also known as poppers.[4] Amy Taylor compared their music to the drug in an interview with Paul Glynn of the BBC: "In Australia we call poppers Amyl. So you sniff it, it lasts for 30 seconds and then you have a headache – and that's what we're like!"[4] Their sound has been compared to 1970s hard rock groups such as Iggy Pop and The Stooges and The Damned.[3] However, Taylor has cited a number of varying influences including Minor Threat, Ceremony, AC/DC, Sleaford Mods, Dolly Parton and Cardi B.[4] A second EP Big Attraction was released in 2017.
2018–present: Amyl and the Sniffers and Comfort to Me
In 2018, the band went into the studio to record their debut album with producer and former Add N to (X) drummer Ross Orton.[5] The result was the self-titled Amyl and the Sniffers, which was released on 24 May 2019 and has received generally positive reviews including a 7.2 from Pitchfork[3] and 4 out of 5 stars from NME[6] and AllMusic.[7] In light of the album's release, Happy Mag placed the band at No. 9 on their list of "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now", praising front-woman Amy Taylor for being "one of hardest rocking people on the face of the planet."[8]
On 7 July 2021, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album Comfort to Me, alongside lead single "Guided by Angels".[13] Later in July, the band released another single, "Security". Three days prior to the release of the album the band released a final single, "Hertz", alongside a complementary music video.[14] The full Comfort to Me album was initially scheduled for release in early October 2021,[15] but was pushed up and released on 10 September.[16] The album was recorded at Sound Park, in Melbourne.[17]
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. They commenced in 2005.[41]
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