The band formed in 2010, composed of singer/lyricist/guitarist/keyboardist Wil Wagner, guitarist/backing vocalist Tom Lawson, guitarist Lee Hartney, bassist Jimi O'Loughlin and drummer/backing vocalist Chris Cowburn. Initially named Wil Wagner and The Smith Street Band — an allusion to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band — the band changed its name in 2011 to signify a change to a whole-band songwriting style.[1]
Their debut EP, South East Facing Wall, was released on Jackknife Records in January 2011 and was reissued in 2013.[2] The band's debut album, No One Gets Lost Anymore was released shortly after, in July 2011, on Poison City Records. Both albums received critical acclaim in Melbourne.[3]
2012–2015: Poison City Records years
In 2012, the group announced their Young Drunks tour to promote their new album, Sunshine and Technology, which ran from January through March, with Bomb the Music Industry! and The Bennies as support acts.[4][5][6][7][8]
In March 2013, Wagner announced All Tomorrow's Shoeys, a three-day music festival held at Hobart's Brisbane Hotel. Curated by Wagner, the festival included Luca Brasi, The Bennies, Grim Fandango and Lincoln Le Fevre.[9] Later that month, the band participated in the "Tram Sessions" program that involves the recording of live performances on Melbourne tram routes. The program organisers explained: "One day we asked ourselves, hmm, if only there was a band who' s [sic] name encapsulated an iconic Melbourne street which also happened to be along an iconic Melbourne route who had a typically route 86 sound... And then it came to us. The Smith Street Band!"[10]
In August 2013, the Don't Fuck with Our Dreams EP was released. The EP's title track was inspired by the events prior to a show from the Young Drunks tour in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia, in which the guitarist from The Bennies was the victim of a near-fatal stabbing. The song was performed to end the band's show at The Fest event in Gainesville, Florida, US in late 2013.[11]
In June 2014, The Smith Street Band announced Jeff Rosenstock from Bomb the Music Industry! would produce their third album, being recorded in July 2014 in the small town of Forrest, Victoria.[12] The album is titled Throw Me in the River and was released on 31 October 2014.[13]
In January 2015, the band released an EP titled Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, which was inspired by the actions of then-Australian Prime MinisterTony Abbott and his government, particularly its stance on asylum seekers.[14] The EP was released on 7" vinyl and as a download, with proceeds from its sales until the end of February going to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.[14] The song directly impacted sales of the band's album Throw Me in the River, which rose to number 105 on the Australian Albums Chart.[15] At the end of January, the band toured across Australia on the 26-date Get High, See Everyone tour alongside PUP, Great Cynics and Apart From This.[14]
2016–2021: Pool House Records, More Scared of You than You Are of Me and Don't Waste Your Anger
In November 2016, the band premiered "Death to the Lads" on Triple J, as the first single from their then-forthcoming album. A series of shows were announced as a promotional tour for the single, with bands The Nation Blue, Grim Rhythm and FOREVR.[16] The single made it to #21 on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2016. The following day they announced that they would be leaving Poison City Records to start their own label, Pool House Records.[17]
In February the band sent out a series of birthday cards directing fans to a website which went live on Valentines Day and debuted the second single, "Birthdays", as well as officially announcing their fourth studio album, More Scared of You than You Are of Me, confirming that it would be released through Pool House Records and produced by Jeff Rosenstock.[18] Exclusive retailer should be Specialist Subject Records, an independent record label and shop based in Bristol, UK. The album was promoted by Triple J in April as their feature album,[19] and a number of solo shows by Wil Wagner around the country, officially being released on the 7th. The band performed the entire album in full at a launch party, which was livestreamed via Facebook.[20] An Australian album tour was announced with A.W., Ceres and Joyce Manor.
On 26 May 2017 the band performed the opening show of their More Scared of You than You Are of Me tour, and debuted a new touring line-up; adding label-mate Jess Locke and musician/long-time friend of the band Lucy Wilson.[21]
On 17 March 2018, Pool House Records held the inaugural Pool House Party festival at Coburg Velodrome in Melbourne, featuring label mates The Bennies and Jess Locke, local acts like Press Club, WAAX, and Baker Boy, and international guests Astronautalis and Signals Midwest.[23]
In February 2019, Wagner was accused of harassment and emotional abuse following the circulation on social media of emails and messages sent by him, with support acts subsequently pulling out of the band's upcoming national tour that was later cancelled.[24]
In April 2020, the band announced the release of their fifth studio album, Don't Waste Your Anger.[25] The album became the band's first to peak at number one on the ARIA Charts.[26] In March 2021, the band released a live unplugged album which was made up of acoustic versions of previous Smith Street Band songs and a cover of Frightened Rabbit's song "Poke".
2022–present: Life After Football
In October 2022, the group announced their sixth studio album, Life After Football.[27] The album was released on 25 November 2022.
Band members
Current members
Wil Wagner
Michael "Fitzy" Fitzgerald
Lee Hartney
Wil Wagner – lead vocals, guitar (2010–present), keyboards (2010–2012, 2017)
Lee Hartney – guitar, backing vocals (2010–present)
Michael "Fitzy" Fitzgerald – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)[28]
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 National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.
