Artist info
Genre
Rock, Indie
Sounds like
The Chocolate Watchband, 60s Garage and Original RnB, The Rollings Stones . Pebbles. Back From The Grave
band members
Zak Olsen-Guitar, Singing, Harmonica. Nick Van Bakel- Singing, Harmonica, Guitar. Daff Gravolin- Lead Guitar. Ben Maton- Drums. Jake Robertson- Bass.
Influences
The Wyld & Wicked Brian Jones, Oliver the Humanzee
Unearthed artists we like
the uv race, The Messengers, Eagle and the Worm, The Fearless Vampire Killers
Bio
It's not entirely surprising that music with a sly hint of the surf would come out of the wilds of Geelong. Nor does it confound that a little motor city mayhem should infuse the sounds of that particular city. Melbourne's little sister, resplendent with sand and sea and home of the Ford factory, has given us a bevy of amazing music over her time and her latest export, The Frowning Clouds continue that sterling tradition. 'The first sample from the five-piece's upcoming album, the follow up to last year's Listen Closlier, 'All Night Long', is a sound indication of just where The Frowning Clouds are circa 2011, which is squarely around 1965. 'All Night Long' is easy to get lost in. Jangling guitars, a scrumptious riff and a jauntily swinging beat hypnotises and delights. Higher order thinking is circumvented as the song makes a beeline to one's most primal urges. Oscillating one's hips is mandatory whilst Beatle's style head shakes and the odd heart palpitation are neither optional or avoidable. But don't worry, losing control will have never felt so good. Whist it sounds like it was recorded in Ray Davies' garage, 'All Night Long' and its single-mate 'Dame A Dozen' were committed to glorious four track cassette in friend Owen Penglis', of the Straight Arrows, lounge room. As a result both tracks are infused with warmth and energy that only lo-fidelity can engender. Keeping with the rough and ready modus operandi that has heretofore typified The Frowning Clouds, 'All Night Long' was recorded a mere five minutes after being written in the backyard during a 40 degree scorcher. The Frowning Clouds will be supporting Eagle and the Worm before playing two headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Upcoming Show Dates ============== - August 13th Hobart Republic Bar w/Eagle & The Worm - August 18th Geelong The National Hotel w/Eagle & The Worm - August 19th Ballarat Karova Lounge w/Eagle & The Worm - August 20th Melbourne The Corner Hotel w/Eagle & The Worm - August 27th Adelaide Ed Castle w/Eagle & The Worm - September 9th Sydney Oxford Art Factory w/Eagle & The Worm - September 10th Maitland The Junkyard w/Eagle & The Worm - September 17th Melbourne The Bufallo Club *7" SINGLE LAUNCH* - September 23rd Sydney The Sandringham Hotel w/The Moffs - September 24th Sydney Goodgod Small Club *7" SINGLE LAUNCH*
Jangley textures, wild rhythms, throbin’ beats and wishful thinking scored The Frowning Clouds a spot at the Melbourne Laneway Festival!
Tell us about your music – how did you develop your sound?
Our sound is derived from the darkest depths of mid 60s garage and beat. The music has it's roots deeply sewn into the soil of 60's r'n'b and other pop groups of the time. We developed our music through a natural progression of energetic live shows. It took us a fair bit to latch on to a sound that we felt was ours.
What can the Laneway festival audience expect from you live show?
They can expect 5 youngens giving it their all, and a live meltdown due to the heat with a compilation of throbbing bass lines, screaming vocals and harmonized rhythmic arrangements to produce a unique vibration that is known as The Frowning Clouds.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Laneway Festival?
THE BLACK LIPS & DANIEL JOHNSTON and both definitely lived beyond our expectations.
What’s coming up in the future?
We're going up to Sydney to play some shows in a week and a half, and we're bringing out an album on a Melbourne indie label called 'Off The Hip'. It should be coming out pretty soon, we're all extremely pleased with the sound of it, it was recorded by Mikey Young from 'Eddy Current Supression Ring', and he's really into the same early 60s garage sounds as we all are, so we managed to produce an authentic sounding record that we hope can be enjoyed by all intrested.
Australian music is?
Okay but needs less laptops and more guitars
View Profile Hide InterviewReview
Yes, this is so rad! What a great authentic retro '60s sound. Early Rolling Stones most definitely but, wow, it's heaps of fun.
Yes, this is so rad! What a great authentic retro '60s sound. Early Rolling Stones most definitely but, wow, it's heaps of fun.
Review
before i heard the frowning clouds i thought the best thing in geelong was a pub shaped as a giant sphinx saw these guys at golden plains in 2008 and since then have loved everything they have put out i can't wait for more
before i heard the frowning clouds i thought the best thing in geelong was a pub shaped as a giant sphinx saw these guys at golden plains in 2008 and since then have loved everything they have put out i can't wait for more
Review
Fuckin deadly
Fuckin deadly
