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Powderfinger are a successful Australian rock band.
The band formed in 1990 in Brisbane, with the present lineup settling in 1992. They initially performed mainly covers of other artists, but gradually developing their own material. After two independant EP's, they were signed to Polydor and in 1994 released their first album, Parables for Wooden Ears, which charted modestly, and began to give the band a national profile.
Two more EP's followed until their second album, Double Allergic in 1996, which was a big success, going "double platinum" (which implies selling over 70,000 copies in Australia), with two singles, Pick You Up and DAF receiving much radio airplay. Their subsequent albums, 1998's Internationalist, and 2000's Odyssey Number 5 were more successful still, with Internationalist selilng over 330,000 copies, most in Australia but also in the UK and Europe, and #5 "over 5 times platinum (350,000 copies) domestically.
Both albums featured much melodic rock, with lead singer's soulful voice often compared to the band's declared inspiration, Neil Young (in fact, Powderfinger is named after one of Young's songs). Many of their singles featured instantly memorable choruses.
During this period they were a highly successful live act, but probably not rated as highly for this as several other Australian rock bands of the period such as You Am I, with a more laid back onstage presence.
2003's Vulture Street (named after a prominent Brisbane street) headed off in a slightly more agressive direction, though still with their trademark ballads. It has sold over 350,000 copies to date.
Powderfinger have won most of the Australian pop music industry's awards, including ARIA awards for their albums and singles, and the songs "My Happiness" and "Passenger" were voted #1 in the Triple J Hottest 100 poll in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
Powderfinger have had some international success in the UK and Europe, but like many successful Australian acts have not captured the imagination of the United States.
The band's lineup are:
- Bernard Fanning (singer)
- John Collins
- Ian Haug
- Darren Middleton
- Jon Coghill
