Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian pub rock[1] and punk rock band based in Melbourne, consisting of vocalist Amy Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Martens, and bassist Gus Romer.[2] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their self-titled debut record won the Best Rock Album category.

History

2016–2017: Giddy Up and Big Attraction

Vocalist Amy Taylor in a live recording 2017

The band was formed by housemates Taylor, Wilson and Martens and former band member Calum Newton (AKA Candy) in Balaclava, Melbourne. The four wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, in a span of 12 hours.[3] Calum left the band to pursue solo music and was replaced by Gus Romer. They take their name from the Australian slang for amyl nitrite, also known as poppers.[4] Amy Taylor compared their music to the drug in an interview with Paul Glynn of the BBC: "In Australia we call poppers Amyl. So you sniff it, it lasts for 30 seconds and then you have a headache – and that's what we're like!"[4] Their sound has been compared to 1970s hard rock groups such as Iggy Pop and The Stooges and The Damned.[3] However, Taylor has cited a number of varying influences including Minor Threat, Ceremony, AC/DC, Sleaford Mods, Dolly Parton and Cardi B.[4] A second EP Big Attraction was released in 2017.

2018–present: Amyl and the Sniffers and Comfort to Me

In 2018, the band went into the studio to record their debut album with producer and former Add N to (X) drummer Ross Orton.[5] The result was the self-titled Amyl and the Sniffers, which was released on 24 May 2019 and has received generally positive reviews including a 7.2 from Pitchfork[3] and 4 out of 5 stars from NME[6] and AllMusic.[7] In light of the album's release, Happy Mag placed the band at No. 9 on their list of "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now", praising front-woman Amy Taylor for being "one of hardest rocking people on the face of the planet."[8]

Amyl and the Sniffers in 2021

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Amyl and the Sniffers won the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album.[9][10][11] In February 2020, the self-titled album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize of 2019.[12]

On 7 July 2021, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album Comfort to Me, alongside lead single "Guided by Angels".[13] Later in July, the band released another single, "Security". Three days prior to the release of the album the band released a final single, "Hertz", alongside a complementary music video.[14] The full Comfort to Me album was initially scheduled for release in early October 2021,[15] but was pushed up and released on 10 September.[16] The album was recorded at Sound Park, in Melbourne.[17]

In June and July 2022, the band opened for Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Green Day on the European leg of the Hella Mega Tour.[18] In April 2023, the band toured with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.[19]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[20]		BEL
(WA)
[21]		GER
[22]		IRE
[23]		SWI
[24]		UK
[25]		US
(Sales)
[26]
Amyl and the Sniffers22————91—
Comfort to Me
  • Released: 10 September 2021[13]
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, LP
  • Label: B2B, Rough Trade, ATO Records
2832288982118

EPs

TitleDetails
Giddy Up
  • Released: 24 February 2016[28]
  • Format: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl And The Sniffers
Big Attraction
  • Released: 15 March 2017[29]
  • Format: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl And The Sniffers

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
TitleYearAlbum
"Balaclava Lover Boogie"[30]2018Big Attraction
"Cup of Destiny"[31]Amyl and the Sniffers
"Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled)"[31]
"Monsoon Rock"[32]2019
"Got You"[33]
"Gacked on Anger"[34]
"Guided by Angels"[13]2021Comfort to Me
"Security"[15]
"Hertz"[14]

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2022Comfort to MeIndependent Album of the YearNominated[35][36]
Best Independent Punk Album or EPWon

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.[37]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2019[38]Amyl and the SniffersBest Rock AlbumWon[38]
Amyl and the SniffersBest Cover ArtNominated
2022Comfort to MeAlbum of the YearNominated[39][40]
Best GroupWon
Best Rock AlbumWon
"Hertz" by Amyl and the Sniffers, John Angus StewartBest VideoNominated
Comfort to Me Tour 2022Best Live ActNominated
Amyl and the Sniffers & Dan Luscombe for Amyl and the Sniffers Comfort to MeProducer – Best Produced AlbumNominated

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. They commenced in 2005.[41]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2019Amyl and the SniffersAustralian Music PrizeNominated[42][12]
2021Comfort to MeAustralian Music PrizeNominated[43]

J Awards

Commencing in 2005, 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.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2021Comfort to MeAustralian Album of the YearNominated[44][45]
Amyl and the SniffersDouble J Artist of the YearNominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating music from the Australian state of Victoria. They commenced in 2005.[46]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2017Amyl and the SniffersBest Emerging ActNominated[47]
2018Amyl and the SniffersBest BandNominated[47]
2019Amyl and the SniffersBest AlbumNominated[48]
Best Rock/Punk AlbumNominated
Amyl and the SniffersBest BandNominated
Best Live ActNominated
2020Amyl and the SniffersBest BandWon[49][50]
Best Live ActWon
Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers)Best MusicianWon
2021Amyl and the SniffersBest Live ActWon[51][52]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.[53]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2018Amyl and the SniffersLive Hard Rock Act of the YearNominated[54][55]
2019Amyl and the SniffersLive Act of the YearNominated[56][57]
2023Amyl and the SniffersBest Live ActWon[58][59]
Best Punk/Hardcore ActWon
Best Live Act in VictoriaWon

References

  1. ^ Isabella Trimboli. "Amyl and the Sniffers review – turning pub rock bravado into punk mayhem".
  2. ^ "AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS". Damagedgoods.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Glynn, Paul (14 May 2019). "'It's just charmingly violent powerful fun'". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  5. ^ Rogers, Jude (4 May 2019). "One to watch: Amyl and the Sniffers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  6. ^ Smith, Thomas (24 May 2019). "Amyl and The Sniffers – 'Amyl and The Sniffers' review". NME. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  8. ^ Saunders, Luke (24 October 2019). "The 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now". Happy Mag. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021.
  9. ^ ARIA (27 November 2019). "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  10. ^ MediaWeek (27 November 2019). "ARIA Awards 2019: Tones and I wins big & Human Nature Hall of Fame". MediaWeek. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  11. ^ ARIA (10 October 2019). "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  12. ^ a b Boulton, Martin (5 March 2020). "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  13. ^ a b c Reilly, Nick (7 July 2021). "Amyl and The Sniffers announce new album Comfort to Me and share first track "Guided By Angels"". NME Australia. Retrieved 10 J