My Disco

Background

Formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003, their first public appearance was performed at The Good Morning Captain, a cafe in Collingwood, a suburb of Melbourne. My Disco became known for their use of unconventional venues, having organized performances on side-walks, in art galleries, and warehouses alike.

November 2003 saw the release of their debut 7" and marked their first Australian tour. The band soon became renowned for their arduous tour ethic, demonstrated in extensive tours of remote areas of Australia, Southeast Asia, and Mexico.

In 2004, Liam Andrews was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. Although the band continued with the occasional show, Andrews' illness forced the band into hiatus. International tours to Southeast Asia, New Zealand and an extensive two months in North America followed soon after Andrews recovered.

Their debut album Cancer was released in late 2006, touring the album to the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, as well as appearing at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria.

In October 2007, the band recorded their second album, entitled Paradise, at Electrical Audio with Steve Albini of Shellac.

During their world tour in 2009, two bags were stolen in Toronto, one containing a passport belonging to Liam Andrews, this had implications for shows in the United States. Evan Patterson from Louisville band Young Widows replaced Liam Andrews on bass for a number of US shows. The pre-existing passports were donated to the "All Your Bass Fund"

In 2010, the band released their third album, Little Joy, recording started in March 2010 at Electrical Audio in Chicago. The album received the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for 'Best Hard Rock or Punk Album' in 2011.

Fact

The band's name is taken from the Big Black song of the same name.

Musical direction

Before 2006, My Disco was notable for their use of complex time signatures. 'Agitated' and 'angular' are two words often used to describe their guitars, with a minimalist feel present within all instrumentation.

The release of Cancer marked a new level of emphasis on minimalism. The Andrews brothers' use of the aluminium-neck Travis Bean TB2000 bass and the EGC Series Two guitar, was also a notable change, the aluminium neck offering increased sustain and a distinctive clear, clean, biting tone.

Live performances before the release of Paradise showcased another refinement of their minimalist sound, with several songs consisting of just one note, repetitive single-sentence vocals and long-sustained guitar chords. Drumlines, although minimal, still offer dance-like, albeit disjointed, beats.

Paradise has been described as reductive art rock.

My Disco's music has been classified as minimalist, indie-rock, post-punk, and dance music amongst others.

Members

Studio albums

Singles and EPs

Live albums

Tours