Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian punk rock band that formed in Melbourne in 2016. The band consists of vocalist Amy Taylor, guitarist Dec Martens, bassist Gus Romer, and drummer Bryce Wilson. Since their formation, Amyl and the Sniffers have made a name for themselves in the punk scene both in Australia and internationally with their high energy live shows and raw, aggressive sound.
Early Years and Rise to Fame
Amyl and the Sniffers first emerged on the Melbourne punk scene playing shows in various venues around the city. In 2017, they released their self-titled debut EP which generated buzz and landed them slots supporting acts like Cosmic Psychos and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Their wild live shows full of non-stop energy and Amy Taylor’s captivating stage presence earned them a devoted following in Australia. In 2018, the band signed to Flightless Records, the label run by King Gizzard, to release their second EP Giddy Up. This EP included their breakthrough song “Cup of Destiny” which brought them wider attention from the international punk scene.
Later in 2018, Amyl and the Sniffers made their international debut playing shows in the United Kingdom and Europe. Their overseas shows were well-received by audiences and critics, further fueling the buzz around the band. They capped off the year playing a number of major Australian music festivals like The Plot and Meredith Music Festival. Thanks to their growing popularity, Amyl and the Sniffers were invited to perform at major international festivals in 2019 like SXSW, Primavera Sound, Glastonbury and more. The band’s high energy live show full of headbanging and crowd surfing made them one of the most talked about acts on the festival circuit.
Signing to Rough Trade Records
With the punk quartet gaining more global recognition, it was only a matter of time before they got signed to a major international record label. In early 2019, it was announced that Amyl and the Sniffers had signed to the U.K. independent record label Rough Trade Records. Rough Trade was an iconic label that was highly influential during the original 1970s punk era, having signed bands like The Smiths and The Strokes. In signing Amyl and the Sniffers, Rough Trade positioned themselves once again at the forefront of an exciting new wave of punk rock.
For Amy Taylor and her bandmates, signing to Rough Trade was a dream come true. In an interview with NME magazine, Taylor explained “Rough Trade released some of the most influential records of all time. It’s such a legendary label. We’ve always looked up to it.” Joining the Rough Trade roster gave Amyl and the Sniffers credibility and a stronger platform for growing their audience globally. With Rough Trade’s distribution channels and marketing muscle behind them, the band had the support in place to reach a worldwide fanbase.
Releasing Their Self-Titled Debut Album
On May 24, 2019 Amyl and the Sniffers released their debut self-titled album on Rough Trade Records. The album captured the raw, high-octane energy of the band’s live show in the studio. Tracks like “Got You,” “GFY,” and “Angel” featured the buzzsaw guitars, pounding drums and Amy Taylor’s snotty vocals that had become the band’s signature sound. While staying true to their punk roots, the album also incorporated throwback pub rock and glam rock influences.
The self-titled debut received widespread critical acclaim, especially in the UK. The album reached #11 on the UK album charts and was nominated for the 2019 Mercury Prize for the best British album of the year. While they did not win the Mercury Prize, the nomination put Amyl and the Sniffers alongside established acts like The 1975, Foals and Anna Calvi as one of the most exciting new bands in British music. The exposure from their chart and award show success led to the band getting booked to play major UK festivals like Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds and All Points East.
Continued International Touring and New Music
Following the release of their debut, Amyl and the Sniffers spent the next two years extensively touring across Europe, the UK and back home in Australia. Their live show maintained its reputation for chaos and energy, headlining punk festivals and touring as support for bands like Iggy Pop and Amyl and the Sniffers. While the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on touring in 2020, Amy and the band released a few standalone singles like “Security” and “Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)” to stay active.
In late 2022, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album Comfort to Me would be released in September 2022, once again through Rough Trade Records. The new album expands the band’s sound with more personal songwriting and eclectic flavorings of pop, rock and new wave while still retaining their punk edge. The first single “Hertz” suggests the Sniffers may reach an even wider audience with their anthemic and addictive new material.
Conclusion
Amyl and the Sniffers have rapidly risen from the Melbourne garage punk scene to become one of the most buzzed about rock bands in the world. Their unique blend of high energy, devil-may-care punk rock and dynamic frontwoman Amy Taylor has struck a chord with listeners. After early success in Australia, Amyl and the Sniffers chose the iconic Rough Trade Records to release their debut album globally in 2019. Joining renowned acts like The Strokes on Rough Trade’s roster helped the punk quartet gain mainstream success and credibility. Now armed with a passionate international fanbase and more ambitious songwriting, Amyl and the Sniffers have firmly established themselves as the new voice of punk rock thanks to their partnership with Rough Trade Records.
Year | Key Events |
---|---|
2016 | Amyl and the Sniffers form in Melbourne |
2017 | Release debut self-titled EP |
2018 | Sign to Flightless Records, release Giddy Up EP, tour UK/Europe |
2019 | Sign to Rough Trade Records, release debut album |
2019-2021 | Extensive touring worldwide |
2022 | Announce new album Comfort to Me on Rough Trade |
Key Members
- Amy Taylor – Vocals
- Dec Martens – Guitar
- Gus Romer – Bass
- Bryce Wilson – Drums
Discography
- Amyl and the Sniffers – EP (2017)
- Giddy Up – EP (2018)
- Amyl and the Sniffers – Album (2019)
- Comfort to Me – Album (2022)
Record Labels
- Flightless Records – 2018
- Rough Trade Records – 2019-Present