Bag Raiders

History

Bag Raiders are an alternative dance band founded in 2007 by mainstays Jack Glass and Chris Stracey. Both classically trained musicians, they met in the Cranbrook School orchestra practice room with Glass a year ahead playing piano and cello, and Stracey playing violin, guitar and clarinet. In 2005, the pair reconnected and started mixing hip-hop and 1970s rock music CDs. As Bag Raiders their musical inspirations include Earth, Wind & Fire, The Brothers Johnson, 808 State and Orbital.

On 15 August 2007 Bag Raiders issued their second EP, Fun Punch on Bang Gang 12 Inches and Modular Records.

On 25 October 2010 Bag Raiders released their debut studio album. Their track, "Shooting Stars" was listed at No. 18 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2009. In the next year's list, "Way Back Home", reached No. 46.

They also DJ and produce, write and remix other artists' work. In 2009 they were rated at No. 11 on the inthemix poll of Australia's top 50 DJs. In June 2014 they released a house EP titled "Nairobi".

In 2017, The song "Shooting Stars" became popular again after being placed in an internet meme featuring people as well as animals falling with surreal, spacey backgrounds. The song's renewed popularity has since been acknowledged by the band itself.

Chart success

Bag Raiders found success with their song "Shooting Stars", released as a single in 2009. The song peaked at No. 62 on the ARIA Singles Chart and made No. 43 on the ARIA 2009 End of Year Top 50 Australian Artist Singles. In August 2013, "Shooting Stars" re-entered the ARIA Singles Chart, reaching the top 50 at #44.

The single "Way Back Home" from Bag Raiders' self-titled album, Bag Raiders, debuted at No. 77 on the ARIA Charts on 29 August 2010. It charted at No. 38 on the official German Singles Chart on 6 June 2011 after being used in the German Vodafone TV advertisement and later rose to its peak No. 19.

Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 October 2010. It debuted at No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart. A third single featuring Dan Black, "Sunlight", was released to Australian radio in November 2010. In February 2011 it peaked at No. 84 on the ARIA Top 100.

TV and advertising

"Way Back Home" has been used as background music for a Vodafone TV ad in Germany.

The Bag Raiders remix of "B.T.T.T.T.R.Y." was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV.

"Shooting Stars" was used in the end credits of an episode (season 1, episode 6) of the HBO series, How to Make It in America.

"Shooting Stars" was used in Channel 9's "Australia's Got Talent" in 2013. The song shot into the ARIA Top 40 nearly 4 years after it was originally released due to downloads.

Members

Albums

EPs and Singles

Remixes

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". Bag Raiders have received one nomination.

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually from 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Bag Raiders have received one nomination.