Sydney band Super Massive were awarded "Best Alternative Artist" at the 2007 MusicOz Award last week at the Enmore Thetre, for their creative and evocative synth/rock song "Fists": An impressive achievement considering that the band has not yet released a single CD, nor had a scrap of airplay.
Super Massive is the creative partnership of singer/writer Malina Hamilton-Smith and drummer/composer Glenn Abbott, best known for his work with popular Australian band Machine Gun Fellatio.
The two found a mutual interest in aiming to create the perfect symbiosis of multi-layered synthscapes and the visceral impact of a full rock band.
Inspired in equal measures by funk, pop song structures, rock, french electro, tribal rhythms and the theatrics of glam rock, Super Massive's sound is like a spectacular mirrorball that reflects many tiny pieces of influence, from Burt Bacharach to Alice Cooper to Bessie Smith and Goldfrapp via Tower Of Power, AC/DC and Basement Jaxx, yet with a sound entirely its own.
Joined by electric bass genius John D Young (Chuck Berry, Marcia Hines, Vanda & Young) and talented young guitarist Marc Malouf, the band delivers a powerful and entertaining live show.
Super Massive's debut EP, which includes the award-winning track "Fists", is due for release in January, with an east coast tour slated for late Jan. You can also catch the band at Peats Ridge Festival on Dec 29th.
For more information and music samples head to:
http://www.myspace.com/supermassivesounds
Sydney band Super Massive are currently nominees for a 2007 MusicOz Award: An impressive achievement considering that the band has not yet released a single CD, nor had a scrap of airplay.
Super Massive is the creative partnership of singer/writer Malina Hamilton-Smith and drummer/composer Glenn Abbott, best known for his work with popular Australian band Machine Gun Fellatio.
The two found a mutual interest in aiming to create the perfect symbiosis of multi-layered synthscapes and the visceral impact of a full rock band.
Inspired in equal measures by funk, pop song structures, rock, french electro, tribal rhythms and the theatrics of glam rock, Super Massive's sound is like a spectacular mirrorball that reflects many tiny pieces, from Burt Bacharach to Alice Cooper to Bessie Smith and Goldfrapp via Tower Of Power, AC/DC and Basement Jaxx.
Joined by electric bass genius John D Young (Chuck Berry, Marcia Hines, Vanda & Young) and talented guitarist Marc Malouf, the band will be bringing their show to the Mona Vale Hotel on Saturday 24th November.
Super Massive's debut EP is due for release in January, with an east coast tour slated for late Jan. You can also catch the band at Peats Ridge Festival on Dec 29th.
For more information and music samples head to:
http://www.myspace.com/supermassivesounds
Named for modern society’s collective fascination with superlatives and for the biggest and best! of everything as much as for their wall of sound, Super Massive is a synth pop rock band with exhilarating, danceable grooves, an emphasis on melody and an engaging, energetic stage presence. The band has a unique sound and a treasure trove of songs that respond to the nature of today’s urbanised, fast-paced world.
Much of the writing was inspired by the experience of living in inner Sydney over the last couple of years. Says singer Malina Hamilton-Smith “Some of the songs are observations of society, whilst some are escapism – but escapism of a realistic kind. The sort of escapism anyone can achieve, such as trying to take life at a slower pace, living in the moment or living in your body as opposed to your head.”
Unlike many electro-heavy bands, Super Massive is a full rock band line-up, with synth elements used to add layers of texture, creating a very full and distinctive sound. Influences stretch beyond the current fashion for 80s synthpop to embrace aspects of 70s rock, glam rock, funk, French electro and big beat, building an original sound that avoids ever being purely retro.
Formed in 2005, Super Massive’s chief writers are singer/performer/writer Hamilton-Smith and drummer/composer Glenn Abbott (best known for his work in Machine Gun Fellatio). Talented bassist John D. Young (Marcia Hines, Chuck Berry, Vanda & Young) joined in 2006.
Rhythm and groove is incredibly important to Super Massive. “We want the music to move people, physically and emotionally. Glenn and John are both very funky players, and it’s awesome when they really let loose, play something intense and challenging and carry the audience away with them. They’re very good at adding tasty playing without distracting from the core structure of the song.”
One of the most popular events of the inner west’s cultural calendar, the Marrickville Road Festival is a street party that attracts over 50,000 people a year. “We’re thrilled to have been asked to play. We’re still a very new band and haven’t released any of our music yet, so it’s a lovely surprise to have been asked to join the bill of such a wonderful community spirited event. It’s great to be a part of it and we’re looking forward to a really fun day.”
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Super Massive build on their brilliant recent show at The Supper Club, Will & Toby’s Taylor Square, with a return to old fav The Hopetoun Hotel on Friday 29th June, to support The Chronics for the launch of their debut album “Switch Me On”.
The Chronics write a catchy tune, and first single “On Account Of My Lover” has already been added to high rotation on Fbi.
Super Massive are also purveyors of catchy tunes, delivered in a heady brew of tasty playing, exhilarating grooves, gorgeous creative layers of synth sounds, and loads of rock-fuelled stage presence.
A fun, raucous night! Don’t turn up late, as it may be a squeeze..
Doors open 8pm. $10- Local band Nimeo support.
For more information, go to: http://www.myspace.com/supermassivesounds
]]>Ex-MGF drummer Glenn Abbott shows us what he’s been up to since MGF broke up. Abbott’s new synth/dance/rock band Super Massive play at the newly launched Will & Toby’s Taylor Square on Friday 18th May, in the Supper Club.
Will & Toby's Taylor Square is a multi-million dollar revamp of the old Oxford Hotel, where the infamous and much loved Gilligan's once was. (Aaah, how I used to love the mudslide cocktail they did there, back in my podium dancing days.) The room's been completely decked out with incredible surroundings including a four-story gothic fairytale backdrop, a floating jade ceiling and 5 metre leather chesterfields for all to lounge upon. It's a decadent, brand new venue and it only just opened last week.
Super Massive is a love affair of funky dance-able grooves and synth-based pop rock, mutually shared by drummer / producer Abbott and Malina, a Sydney singer / performer who came to the project creatively invigorated by a year spent pulling beers in a London music venue, travelling in Spain & Mexico and studying performance in London and New York.
Teaming up in 2005, the duo spent a year musically exploring and writing before teaming with electric bass genius John D. Young (Chuck Berry, Marcia Hines, Vanda & Young and .. almost Prince – John turned him down), who brought a treasure trove of extra groove, sex and sweet bass licks to all the songs. Young talent Matt Campbell joined them on guitar.
Super Massive’s music is thrilling get-up-and-dance and sing-along-at-the-same-time rock. A heady brew of tasty playing and exhilarating grooves, with plenty of variety in the songs and sounds. It reveals it’s roots here and there, with flashes of 70s rock, glam rock, cock rock, 80s electro and irresistible disco, yet without ever sounding purely retro. It’s a dark pink sunset. It’s a bonfire on the beach. It’s an intimate moment on a laserbeam shot dancefloor. It’s fresh as a snowflake and as black as your soul.
The band has been in the studio recording for some months, and is looking to release something later in the year. Whilst performing a recent opening slot at the Bridge Hotel in aid of a friend’s album launch, Super Massive impressed one of the bookers of the new Will & Toby’s Taylor Square. After catching only two songs of their set, the band were asked to headline The Supper Club at Will & Toby’s Taylor Square on Friday 18th May. This is a great chance to sneak preview the new tunes, and check out / support an exciting new venue while you’re at it. For more information go to: http://www.myspace.com/supermassivesounds
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Currently busy in the studio, dance-rockers Super Massive venture out to play their one and only gig for the festive season at the Hopetoun Hotel on Thursday 4th January. Rock siren Dylan Dray & beats/voice duo Champagne Shoes (the new show from 3K & Vashti Hughes) support. Come break in some new habits. Let your feet go crazy! Starts 8pm, $8-. For more info, song samples or to befriend, go to: http://www.myspace.com/supermassivesounds ]]>
Dance/electro rock meets alterna-rock via synth performance art: Super Massive play their one and only festive season show with friends at the Ho Ho Hoey.
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Currently busy in the studio, dance-rockers Super Massive venture out to play their one and only gig for the festive season at the Hopetoun Hotel on Thursday 4th January. Rock siren Dylan Dray & beats/voice duo Champagne Shoes (the new show from 3K & Vashti Hughes) support. Come break in some new habits. Let your feet go crazy! Starts 8pm, $8-. For more info, song samples, or to befriend, go to: http://www.myspace.com/supermassivesounds
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