Captains Of Industry

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Like all truly great bands, The Grates began as a bit of a joke. John, Alana and Patience had known each other for, well, forever. John had heard Patience do karaoke before, so when she suggested they form a band, he was apprehensive to say the least. Dueting Alladin's 'A Whole New World' just didn't show her true abilities. But when they started jamming in John's garden shed, helped amply by his dad cooking a BBQ and bringing fresh beer, the exhilarating, charismatic style that has become The Grates' signature started to reveal itself. With John on guitar, Alana hitting out the drums, Patience singing and jumping around a lot, The Grates then sent in their rough demo, 'Trampoline' to national youth network Triple J's Robbie Buck, who responded by laying it. Lots. The Grates then signed to independent label Dew Process and began work on their debut EP, 'The Ouch. The Touch'.. All three singles, 'Trampoline', 'Rock Boys' and 'Sukkafish' have been nominated in the Triple J Hottest 100. A great showing for a band who are yet to officially release an album.
'The Ouch. The Touch' was released in the UK in April 2005 and the band played some semi-legendry London shows, that picked up much coverage in NME and on Radio 1.

The Grates recent US and Uk tours saw them pick up legions of fans in industry, media and the public alike. The Grates unique lo-fi sound that's all the elements of punk but the obvious ones, has been described as “Judy Garland fronting Sonic Youth” by an Interscope executive. The NME has touted them as one to watch, with 'Message' now available for download on www.nme.com. Radio 1's new music guru Zane Lowe picked them up as 'Fresh Meat' from SXSW and Steve Lamacq is spinning the track on both Radio 1 and Six Music.

Click on track names to play (mp3 64kbs mono.) 1. Message 2. Sukkafish 3. Wash Me 4. Trampoline

"'The Ouch. The Touch' is a hauntingly beautiful record full of moments that transcends the band’s influences and create something as beguiling as it is mesmerizing. 'Message' storms through the starting gates, full of false endings, stuttered energy and splintered melodies. It has the awkward quirkiness of Deerhoof, yet the power and might of The Pixies. " SubbaCultcha.com "A happily scattered and free-spirited trio playing catchy lo-fi rock pop stamped with Patience's wonderfully unhinged vocals." Bronwyn Thompson, Rolling Stone "[Interscope A&R executive Martin] Kierszenbaum is falling in love. The object of his affection is a band called The Grates. They're rough, but Patience, the frontwoman is a supernova. His raves come in pitchman-perfect sound bites: 'Judy Garland fronting Sonic Youth'." Joan Anderman, The Boston Globe "Four songs. Ten minutes. This two girl, one boy trio from Brisbane don’t hang about, but the impression they leave is like being punched in the dark. The brilliantly daft lead track, 'Message' sounds like the Ramones bouncing off their practice room walls on pogo-sticks, and if the stomping boogie beats of 'Trampoline' are any indication, their hard-hitting drummer Alana Skyring was quite obviously a dangerously hyperactive child. Even if they don’t move your soul, they sure as fuck will move your body." Hardeep Phull, NME, March 2005