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Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian pub rock[1] band based in Melbourne, consisting of vocalist Amy Taylor ("Amyl"), drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens, and bassist Gus Romer (the "Sniffers").[2] Their self-titled debut album was released in 2019. It was followed by Comfort to Me and Cartoon Darkness, in 2021 and 2024, respectively.

Amyl and the Sniffers
Amyl and the Sniffers performing at The Piece Hall in Halifax, UK, 27 June 2019
Amyl and the Sniffers performing at The Piece Hall in Halifax, UK, 27 June 2019
Background information
OriginMelbourne, Australia
Genres
Years active2016–present
Labels
MembersAmy Taylor
Bryce Wilson
Declan Mehrtens
Gus Romer
Past membersCalum Newton
Websiteamylandthesniffers.com

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their self-titled debut record won the Best Rock Album category.

History

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2016–2017: Giddy Up and Big Attraction

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Vocalist Amy Taylor in a live recording 2017

The band was formed by housemates Amy Taylor, Bryce Wilson, Declan Mehrtens, and Calum Newton in Balaclava, Melbourne. The four wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, in a span of 12 hours.[3] Newton left the band to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Gus Romer.

The band takes its name from the Australian slang for amyl nitrite, also known as poppers.[4] 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 punk 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, Comfort to Me, and Cartoon Darkness

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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, released on 24 May 2019. It 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 Taylor for being "one of hardest rocking people on the face of the planet."[8] The 2018 single "Some Mutts" was used in Warwick Thornton's 2021/2 vampire TV series, Firebite.[9]

 
Amyl and the Sniffers in 2021

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Amyl and the Sniffers won the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album.[10][11][12] In February 2020, the self-titled album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize of 2019.[13]

On 7 July 2021, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album Comfort to Me, alongside lead single "Guided by Angels".[14] 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.[15] The full Comfort to Me album was initially scheduled for release in early October 2021,[16] but was pushed up and released on 10 September.[17] The album was recorded at Sound Park, in Melbourne.[18]

In June and July 2022, the band opened for Weezer, Fall Out Boy, and Green Day on the European leg of the Hella Mega Tour.[19] In April 2023, the band toured with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.[20]

In March 2024, Amyl and the Sniffers announced a US headline tour set for July and August of 2024, in addition to their US shows as support for Foo Fighters.[21] In May 2024, the band released the two singles "U Should Not Be Doing That", the first single from their upcoming album, and "Facts",[22] after which they announced a UK and European Headline tour set for November 2024.[23] On 21 August 2024, the group announced that their third album, Cartoon Darkness, would be released on 25 October 2024. The single and music video for "Chewing Gum" was released on the same day.[24]"Big Dreams", the album's third single, was released on 25 September 2024. On 21 October 2024, the group released the album's fourth single, "Jerkin'". The music video was released through the band's website due to graphic full frontal nudity throughout the video. A censored version was released on YouTube.[25]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[26]
BEL
(WA)

[27]
GER
[28]
IRE
[29]
SWI
[30]
UK
[31]
US
[32]
Amyl and the Sniffers 22 91
Comfort to Me
  • Released: 10 September 2021[14]
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, LP
  • Label: B2B, Rough Trade, ATO
2 83 22 88 98 21 [A]
Cartoon Darkness
  • Released: 25 October 2024
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, LP
  • Label: B2B, Rough Trade, Virgin Music Group
2
[35]
9 45 9 196
[36]
Title Details
Giddy Up
  • Released: 24 February 2016[37]
  • Format: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl And The Sniffers
Big Attraction
  • Released: 15 March 2017[38]
  • Format: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl and the Sniffers

Singles

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List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot

[39]
"Balaclava Lover Boogie"[40] 2018 Big Attraction
"Cup of Destiny"[41] Amyl and the Sniffers
"Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled)"[41]
"Monsoon Rock"[42] 2019
"Got You"[43]
"Gacked on Anger"[44]
"Guided by Angels"[14] 2021 Comfort to Me
"Security"[16]
"Hertz"[15]
"U Should Not Be Doing That"[22] 2024 Cartoon Darkness
"Facts"[22] Non-album single
"Chewing Gum" Cartoon Darkness
"Big Dreams"
"Jerkin'" 32

Awards and nominations

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AIR Awards

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The Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Comfort to Me Independent Album of the Year Nominated [45][46]
Best Independent Punk Album or EP Won

ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.[47]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019[48] Amyl and the Sniffers Best Rock Album Won [48]
Amyl and the Sniffers Best Cover Art Nominated
2022 Comfort to Me Album of the Year Nominated [49][50]
Best Group Won
Best Rock Album Won
"Hertz" by Amyl and the Sniffers, John Angus Stewart Best Video Nominated
Comfort to Me Tour 2022 Best Live Act Nominated
Amyl and the Sniffers & Dan Luscombe for Amyl and the Sniffers Comfort to Me Producer – Best Produced Album Nominated
2024 John Angus Stewart for Amyl and the Sniffers - "U Should Not Be Doing That" Best Video Nominated

Australian Music Prize

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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.[51]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Amyl and the Sniffers Australian Music Prize Nominated [52][13]
2021 Comfort to Me Australian Music Prize Nominated [53]
2024 Cartoon Darkness Australian Music Prize Pending [54]

J Awards

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Commencing in 2005, the J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Comfort to Me Australian Album of the Year Nominated [55][56]
Amyl and the Sniffers Double J Artist of the Year Nominated
2024 Cartoon Darkness Australian Album of the Year Nominated [57]
"U Should Not Be Doing That" (Directed by John Angus Stewart) Australian Video of the Year Nominated
Amyl and the Sniffers Double J Artist of the Year Nominated

Music Victoria Awards

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The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating music from the Australian state of Victoria. They commenced in 2005.[58]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Emerging Act Nominated [59]
2018 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Band Nominated [59]
2019 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Album Nominated [60]
Best Rock/Punk Album Nominated
Amyl and the Sniffers Best Band Nominated
Best Live Act Nominated
2020 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Band Won [61][62]
Best Live Act Won
Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers) Best Musician Won
2021 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Live Act Won [63][64]

National Live Music Awards

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The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.[65]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Amyl and the Sniffers Live Hard Rock Act of the Year Nominated [66][67]
2019 Amyl and the Sniffers Live Act of the Year Nominated [68][69]
2023 Amyl and the Sniffers Best Live Act Won [70][71]
Best Punk/Hardcore Act Won
Best Live Act in Victoria Won

Notes

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  1. ^ Comfort to Me did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at number 18 on the Top Album Sales chart.[34]

References

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  2. ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers". Damagedgoods.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
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  4. ^ a b c Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  5. ^ Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
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  7. ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  8. ^ Saunders, Luke (24 October 2019). "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now". Happy Mag. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021.
  9. ^ "New TV Series To Showcase Aussie Artists To Millions Worldwide". The Music. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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  11. ^ MediaWeek (27 November 2019). "ARIA Awards 2019: Tones and I wins big & Human Nature Hall of Fame". MediaWeek. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
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  13. ^ a b Boulton, Martin (5 March 2020). "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
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  56. ^ "Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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  65. ^ NLMA (9 September 2020). "What are the NLMAs?". National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020.
  66. ^ NLMA (2 October 2018). "National Live Music Awards announces 2018 nominees; "Live Legend" Induction; AAA Award Expansion; Ros O'Gorman Tribute and more". National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  67. ^ NLMA (6 December 2018). "Baker Boy, Stella Donnelly and Tropical F*ck Storm among the big winners of the 2018 NLMAs; Magic Dirt Inducted as Live Legends". National Live Music Awards. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
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  70. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  71. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.

General

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