Total Control (band) explained

Total Control
Origin:Melbourne, Australia
Genre:Post-punk, garage rock, new wave, indie rock
Years Active:2008–present
Label:Fuse, Iron Lung, Sub Pop
Associated Acts:Eddy Current Suppression Ring, UV Race, Lace Curtain, Thee Oh Sees

Total Control is an Australian post-punk band that formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2008. The band's line-up includes Mikey Young (guitar, keyboards), Dan Stewart (vocals), Al Montfort (guitar), Zephyr Pavey (bass), and James Vinciguerra (drums). After a series of singles, the band's debut album, Henge Beat, was released in August 2011. Their second album, Typical System, was released in June 2014.

History

Total Control was formed in 2008 by Eddy Current Suppression Ring band member Mikey Young and UV Race's Dan Stewart. The pair, who came together over a shared interest of early 1980s acts such as Devo, Gary Numan, The Screamers, and The Adolescents, recorded some songs using a sampler and synthesizers at Young's home studio. They gained a following over the next few years after releasing a series of 7-inch singles and playing only a handful of live shows.[1] [2] [3] Total Control became a quintet with the additions of guitarist Al Montfort, bassist Zephyr Pavey, and drummer James Vinciguerra. Young explained the reason for the expansion to The Washington Post: "Bands with drum machines and three synths are just not as much fun to watch as bands with drummers and guitars," he said. "We realized it couldn't be good live, so we tried to adapt the songs to work in a rock-and-roll band."

The band released their debut full-length album, Henge Beat, in August 2011 on Seattle's Iron Lung Records. They went on a US tour with San Francisco-based band Thee Oh Sees, with whom they also released a split EP, and performed at the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival in Minehead, Somerset in December 2011.[4] The single "Scene From a Marriage" was released by Sub Pop in October 2012.[5] The group released their second album, Typical System, in June 2014.[6] [7]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum details
Henge Beat
Typical System
  • Released: 24 June 2014
  • Label: Iron Lung Records
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
Laughing At The System
  • Released: 8 December 2017
  • Label: Alter Records
  • Format: LP, digital download

7" singles

Compilations

EPs

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.|-| 2014[8] [9] |Typical System | Best Independent Album|

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The commenced in 2005.|-| 2014[10] | Typical System| Australian Music Prize| |-

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.|-| 2014[11] |Typical System | Australian Album of the Year| |-

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.[12] [13]

|-| rowspan="3"| 2014| Typical System| Best Album| |-| themselves| Best Band| |-| "Flesh War" | Best Song| |-| 2016| Al Montfort| Best Male Artist| |-

Notes and References

  1. News: Leitko. Aaron. Total Control's Mikey Young finds inspiration in all the right places. The Washington Post. 23 May 2013. 12 April 2014.
  2. Web site: Thomas. Fred. Total Control - Biography. Allmusic. 12 April 2014.
  3. Leitko. Aaron. Fear & Mythologies: An Interview With Total Control . The Quietus. 8 December 2011. 12 April 2014.
  4. Web site: Bort. Ryan. Song of the Day: Total Control - 'One More Tonight'. KEXP-FM. 11 January 2012. 12 April 2014.
  5. Web site: Fitzmaurice. Larry. Tracks: Total Control - 'Scene From a Marriage'. Pitchfork Media. 1 October 2012. 12 April 2014.
  6. Hughes. Josiah. Total Control Return with 'Typical System'. Exclaim!. 10 April 2014. 12 April 2014.
  7. Web site: Pearis. Bill. Total Control ready 'Typical System' for June (stream a track); Lace Curtain released third EP . BrooklynVegan. 9 April 2014. 12 April 2014.
  8. Web site: CARLTON DRY AIR AWARDS 2014 NOMINEES ANNOUNCED. speaker tv. September 2014. 20 August 2020. 11 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140911162157/https://www.speakertv.com/news/latest-news/carlton-dry-air-awards-2014-nominees-announced/. dead.
  9. Web site: History Wins. Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 18 August 2020.
  10. Web site: Winners & Shortlists. australian music prize. 22 August 2020.
  11. Web site: The J Award 2014. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2014. 15 August 2020.
  12. Web site: Previous Nominess. Music Victoria. 13 August 2020. 19 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919214225/https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-nominees. dead.
  13. Web site: Previous Winners. Music Victoria. 13 August 2020. 31 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190731040330/https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-winners. dead.