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Totally Unicorn

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Totally Unicorn
OriginWollongong, New South Wales, Australia
GenresMetalcore, mathcore, post hardcore
Years active2010–present
MembersDrew Gardner
Aaron Streatfeild
Adam Myers
Dean Podmore
Past membersRobert Mudge
Clancy Tucker
Tim McMahon
Michael Bennett
Kerim Erkin
Lee Nielson
Websitetotallyunicornmusic.bandcamp.com

Totally Unicorn is an Australian metal band originally from Wollongong, New South Wales. Forming in 2010, the band are best known for their highly energetic and unpredictable live shows, which often feature partial or complete nudity, jumping off the stage or other raised platforms and interacting with individual audience members. The band's live reputation has brought them to several high-profile tours and support slots; including shows with Kvelertak, La Dispute, The Chariot, Frenzal Rhomb, Rosetta, Cancer Bats and Tonight Alive.

History

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2010–2015: Early EPs

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Totally Unicorn were formed in 2010 following the split of the band Hospital the Musical, which featured vocalist Drew Gardner, original drummer Michael Bennett and original guitarist Clancy Tucker. The three were joined by bassist Robert Mudge, formerly of Thirroul band Ohana. An EP, Horse Hugger, was released on 3 December 2010.

March 2011 saw the departure of Mudge from the band, as he left to pursue a teaching career overseas. His final show with the band was opening for Frenzal Rhomb in the band's hometown of Wollongong. Mudge was then replaced by Tim McMahon. The band ended 2011 with a tour featuring Sydney band Gay Paris and Adelaide band God God Dammit Dammit. The three bands contributed two new tracks apiece to a three-way split EP entitled Totally Gay Dammit.

In May 2012, the band went on a national Australian tour as the opening act for Tonight Alive. The band were originally going to be joined by The Dangerous Summer,[1] but they were replaced by UK band Young Guns.[2]

August 2012 saw the band announce the release of their first vinyl release, a penis-shaped record entitled 7 Inches which featured two new songs.[3] The initial release sold out within days and put the band at the top of the best-seller's list on Bandcamp's front page. The vinyl was later re-released as 9 Inches, which, as its title suggests, added two extra inches to the original vinyl.[citation needed]

In October 2012, guitarist Clancy Tucker announced via Facebook that he was leaving the band to relocate to Alice Springs and become a nurse.[4] His final show with the band was in Fairy Meadow in December 2012, opening for American punk rock band Pour Habit. It was then announced that the band had enlisted two new guitarists to replace Tucker: Aaron Streatfeild (formerly of Snakes Get Bad Press) and Kerim Erkin.

The band were selected as one of the bands on the first Hits & Pits line-up, a national punk-rock-oriented touring festival. The band played alongside acts such as Mad Caddies, A Wilhelm Scream and The Flatliners.[5]

In April 2013, it was announced that Totally Unicorn would be releasing a split seven-inch with Adelaide band Robotosaurus.[6] The band would also head out on a co-headlining tour, which served as the final shows for Robotosaurus. The vinyl was released independently in July 2013.

The band opened for Norwegian metal band Kvelertak at their headlining show in Sydney in September 2013[7] before heading out on tour with UK band Rolo Tomassi for the first half of an extensive national tour.[8]

2015–2019: Dream Life & Sorry

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It was announced in February 2015 that the band would be opening for Norma Jean on the Sydney leg of their Australian tour.[9] In September 2015, the band announced the departure of bassist Tim McMahon. He was replaced by Lee Nielson, another former member of Snakes Get Bad Press.

In 2015, the band announced their signing to independent Wollongong label Farmer & The Owl. With the signing came the announcement of their first release under the label – a 7-inch vinyl with two brand-new songs, released as a Record Store Day exclusive. The 7-inch, entitled sometimes i sit and drink, and sometimes i just drink, was named in tribute to Courtney Barnett's 2015 album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit. The artwork for the 7-inch also parodied Barnett's hand-drawn album cover.

In June 2016, Totally Unicorn announced the completion and imminent release of their debut album. Entitled Dream Life, the album was released on 29 July. The album features guest vocals from Heavy Heavy Low Low's Rob Smith and High Tension's Karina Utomo.

In February 2017, drummer Michael Bennett announced his imminent departure from the band following a handful of remaining shows.[10] His last came at Sydney's Black Wire Records on 26 March 2017. Bennett was replaced by former Robotosaurus drummer Adam Myers.

In March 2017, it was announced that the band would be going on tour nationally with Frenzal Rhomb.[11] The band also played with The Dillinger Escape Plan in October, playing their second-last Sydney show on their final Australian tour.[12] In December 2017, Erkin announced that he would be leaving the band. He was not replaced, converting the band back into a quartet.

In October 2018, the band released a new single, "Grub."[13] This was followed by the release of "I'll Be Fine Now" in February 2019,[14] and the release of their second studio album Sorry in April 2019.[15] In October 2019, Nielson played his final show with the band at the Yours & Owls Festival in Wollongong. He was replaced by Dean Podmore, formerly of Gay Paris and Surprise Wasp, prior to the band's national tour supporting Cancer Bats.[16]

2020–present: High Spirits//Low Life

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The band's activity was minimised in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They played two socially-distanced sets in one night at Sydney venue Crowbar in August 2020,[17] where actor Richard Karn was hired from Cameo to be the show's "safety supervisor" via a video message.

In January 2021, the band released the stand-alone single "Like".[18] This was followed by a string of singles throughout the rest of the year: "Trust Fund Glee",[19] "Yeah, Coach"[20] and "Fri(ends)".[21] "Trust Fund Glee" featured guest vocals from Dan Cunningham of Sydney punk band ARSE, while "Fr(iends)" featured guest vocals from Jason Whalley of Frenzal Rhomb.

In December 2021, the band announced their third studio album High Spirits//Low Life,[22] which was released on 18 February 2022.

In other media

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  • In 2012, members of the band were featured in an episode of Channel Seven's Border Security: Australia's Front Line as Rob Smith from the band Heavy Heavy Low Low attempted to get into the country to tour.[23]
  • In 2014, The band had a beetroot cake named after them in Same Same But Different, a recipe book by Australian chef Poh Ling Yeow; at the time, she was the sister-in-law of former drummer Bennett.[24]
  • In August 2014, Brisbane band Violent Soho selected the band's video for "Cool Dads with Cool Sons" for their guest programming of the Australian music video show rage.[25] Totally Unicorn had opened for the band at one of their headlining shows in Sydney the month prior.

Members

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Current members

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  • Drew Gardner – lead vocals (2010–present)
  • Aaron Streatfeild – guitar (2012–present), backing vocals (2019–present)
  • Adam Myers – drums (2017–present)
  • Dean Podmore – bass, backing vocals (2019–present)

Former members

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  • Robert Mudge – bass (2010–2011)
  • Clancy Tucker – guitar (2010–2012)
  • Tim McMahon – bass (2011–2015)
  • Michael Bennett – drums (2010–2017)
  • Kerim Erkin – guitar (2012–2017)
  • Lee Nielson – bass (2015–2019)

Live substitutes

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  • Mark Owen – guitar (2011)
  • Mark Davies – drums (2020)

Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
Dream Life
Sorry
  • Released: 12 April 2019[27]
  • Label: Farmer & The Owl (FATO022)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
High Spirits//Low Life
  • Scheduled: 18 February 2022[28]
  • Label: Farmer & The Owl / BMG
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Extended plays

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Title EPs details
Horse Hugger
  • Released: 3 December 2010
  • Label: Beard Of Bees (BOB 001)
  • Format: CD, DD
Totally Gay Dammit
(with Gay Paris and God God Dammit Dammit)
  • Released: November 2011
  • Format: CD, DD
7 Inches
  • Released: October 2012
  • Format: LP
  • Note: Limited to 200
9 Inches
  • Released: February 2013
  • Format: LP
  • Note: Limited to 200
Together Alone
(with Robotosaurus)
  • Released: 6 June 2013[29]
  • Label: Monolith
  • Format: LP, DD
  • Note: LP limited to 200
sometimes i sit and drink, and sometimes i just drink
  • Released: April 2015
  • Label: Farmer & The Owl (FATO006)
  • Format: LP, DD

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Customer Service Station"[30] 2016 Dream Life
"Old Cute & Putrified"[31]
"Grub"[32] 2018 Sorry
"I'll Be Fine Now"[33] 2019
"Prized Pig"[34]
"Like"[35] 2021 non album single
"Trust Fund Glee"[36] High Spirits//Low Life
"Yeah, Coach"[37]
"Fri(ends)"[38]
"Not Winning"[39] 2022

Awards and nominations

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National Live Music Awards

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The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
National Live Music Awards of 2016[40] Themselves Live Hard Rock Act of the Year Nominated
National Live Music Awards of 2017[41][42] Themselves Live Hard Rock Act of the Year Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "AMH Network – Tonight Alive Tour with The Dangerous Summer and Totally Unicorn". Alternative Music Hub. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  2. ^ Scott Fitzsimons (11 May 2012). "Tonight Alive Tour Drama – theMusic.com.au". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  3. ^ Jordan Nash (6 August 2012). "Totally Unicorn announce new 7-inch". Killyourstereo. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  4. ^ Clancy Tucker (17 October 2012). "Facebook – Yo! So I've gone and blown it..." Facebook. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  5. ^ Tom Mann (19 October 2012). "New punk festival in 2013: Hits and Pits". FasterLouder.com.au. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Totally Unicorn And Robotosaurus Announce Split Single Tour – theMusic.com.au". theMusic.com.au. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Supports Named For Upcoming Kvelertak Tour – theMusic.com.au". theMusic.com.au. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Rolo Tomassi (UK) Australian Tour 2013 w/Totally Unicorn & Stockades – Monolith". Monolith. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  9. ^ "Supports Announced For NORMA JEAN April Tour". Rest Assured Zine. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  10. ^ Michael Bennett (15 February 2017). "To everyone that knows us..." Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  11. ^ Tom Williams (27 March 2017). "Frenzal Rhomb Announce 2017 National Tour For New Album 'Hi-Vis High Tea'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Dillinger Escape Plan + Totally Unicorn @ Bald Faced Stag 18.10.17". From The Pit. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  13. ^ Rizk, Anwar (18 October 2018). "Totally Unicorn reveal their new single 'Grub'". Metal Obsession. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  14. ^ Sievers, Alex. "Totally Unicorn embrace numbness with 'I'll Be Fine Now'". KillYourStereo. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  15. ^ Levin, Darren. "Album Walkthrough: Totally Unicorn 'Sorry'". LNWY.co. Bolster Co. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  16. ^ Gallagher, Alex. "Cancer Bats Announce 2019 Australian Tour With Totally Unicorn". Music Feeds. Evolve Media. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  17. ^ "SOLD OUT! An intimate night with Totally Unicorn - Sydney 18+". dates.cloud. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  18. ^ "TOTALLY UNICORN RETURN WITH AFFIRMING NEW SINGLE & VIDEO, 'LIKE'". Black of Hearts. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  19. ^ Doria, Matt. "Totally Unicorn slam the 'Trust Fund Glee' on mosh-ready new single". NME Australia. BandLab Technologies. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  20. ^ May, Tamara. "Totally Unicorn Up The Intensity with 'Yeah, Coach'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  21. ^ "TOTALLY UNICORN Find Friends In Strange Places With New Track". Heavy Mag. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  22. ^ "Totally Unicorn Announce Third Album & Accompanying Tour". theMusic.com.au. SCG Media. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  23. ^ Mikey Hamer (5 March 2012). "Rob From HeavyHeavyLowLow on Ch7's Border Security – YouTube". Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  24. ^ Poh Ling Yeow (10 June 2014). "Totally Unicorn Beetroot Cake >> InDaily Adelaide News". InDailey. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  25. ^ "r a g e – Saturday, August 23, 2014". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  26. ^ "Dream Life on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  27. ^ "Sorry on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  28. ^ "What's new this month? Here are 7 Australian release picks for February 2022". NME Australia. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  29. ^ "Together Alone (EP)". Apple Music. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  30. ^ ""Customer Service Station" – single". Apple Music. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  31. ^ ""Old Cute & Putrified" – single". Apple Music. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  32. ^ ""Grub" – single". Apple Music. October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  33. ^ ""I'll Be Fine Now" – single". Apple Music. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  34. ^ ""Prized Pig" – single". Apple Music. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  35. ^ "TOTALLY UNICORN RETURN WITH AFFIRMING NEW SINGLE & VIDEO, 'LIKE'". Black of Hearts. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Totally Unicorn slam the "Trust Fund Glee" on mosh-ready new single". NME Australia. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  37. ^ "Totally Unicorn lament societal pressures on intense new single "Yeah, Coach"". NME Australia. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  38. ^ "Totally Unicorn Unveil "Fri(ends)" with Frenzal Rhomb's Jason Whalley + Announce New Album". Wall of Sound. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  39. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist Additions – 18/02/22". Music Feeds. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Nominees 2016". NLMA. 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  41. ^ "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". NLMA. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  42. ^ "Winners 2017". NLMA. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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