Biography
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Years Active
1991 – present (33 years)
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Founded In
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Members
- Ben Costello (1992 – 1996)
- Gordy Forman (1998 – present)
- Jason Whalley (1992 – present)
- Lex Feltham (1992 – 2002)
- Lindsay McDougall (1996 – present)
Frenzal Rhomb is an Australian punk rock band that formed in 1992, in Sydney, Australia. A long-standing institution in Sydney music scene but with a national and international base of fans, Frenzal have consistently nurtured new generations of young fans through endless touring, festival appearances and all ages shows. With a sound that is most often characterized as 'California pop/punk', the band is overtly left-wing political and known for their humorous, savage and insightful lyrics. The band's current lineup is Jason Whalley (vocals), Lindsay McDougall (guitar), Tom Crease (bass) and Gordy Foreman (drums).
For a couple of years, Jay and Lindsay (The Doctor) had a daily show on Australia's Triple J radio station. Although Jay left in 2009, The Doctor continues to have various roles on ABC radio and television.
All original members except Jason have been replaced. Ben, the original guitarist, supposedly left to become an animal rights activist. Nat, the drummer, left to focus on another band, Quadbox. Lex, the bass player left under controversial circumstances. This lead the band to consider changing their name. They even posted a press release suggesting that they would take over the name Shihad, which had been vacated by the New Zealand hard rock band in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Jay also spent time as the bass player for Nancy Vandal under the name Jason Jason Beers, a play on Gary Gary Beers from INXS.
The band famously antagonized Today-FM breakfast show hosts Kyle and Jackie-O, starting at a festival in Darwin and ending in an on-air phone interview with Jay. With the exchange being documented by Media Watch. (see here and here)
Frenzal Rhomb's first EP 'Dick Sandwich' was produced in bassy grunge style and included a cover of the theme to 'Home and Away', a popular but uncool Australian serial drama; as well as a song about Roger Climpson, a TV news presenter. Their seminal album Coughing up a Storm followed. The original version, which included an abusive and threatening voicemail as its secret track, is now out of print.
The band's records have been released through a variety of labels in Australia and most notably Fat Wreck Chords internationally.
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