Cartman (band)
Encyclopedia
Cartman was a four piece indie
rock band from Perth
, Western Australia
.
Performing under the name Mr. Pink, they were knocked out of the contest in the first round but continued to play together for the next four months. It was an exciting period, not only were they getting paid to play (a definite first), they had unlocked a formidable songwriting partnership. It was early days, yet under a heavy influence of The Beatles
, Crowded House
, Led Zeppelin
and Soundgarden
, the tunes were dynamic and exciting, all the while featuring strong melody and beautiful harmonies.
1998 saw Scott Nicholls (Lead Guitar) and Ben Mills (Drums) complete the line-up and heralded the beginning of the band that was now affectionately renamed Cartman.
.
The single "Drive" was picked up by the National radio station Triple J
and added to high rotation. Many independent radio stations, including Perth's own RTR-FM
, jumped onto the single. Similarly, the West Australian Music Industry rewarded the song by crowning WAM Song of the Year
in 1999 (the song also won in the category, 'Best Pop Song') with the band also winniong the 'Best Acoustic Song' for "Pieces". Throughout 1999 and into 2000, Cartman continued to win awards and nominations for many of their tunes and accompanying filmclips, at the same time landing some prize gigs including The Big Day Out
and supports for Pollyanna
, Gerling
, Sneeze
, Eskimo Joe
and Shihad
.
The band released their second EP, Nobody, in March 2000 (the actual launch gig featured Fourth Floor Collapse
and The Sleepy Jackson
as support). Recorded at Revolver Studios and produced by Ben Glatzer, this was the beginning of the relationship that would later see them utilising the studio and 'Benny G' for the recording of Go!. The initial single "Nobody" was immediately added to playlists across the country, while the filmclip opened the band up visually to a national audience. On a grander scale, the single was also picked up by the legendary UK Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq
, who added it to the stations playlist, along with the independent UK network X-FM
.
Capitalising on their heightened profile, the band embarked on two tours. The first saw them heading to Adelaide to perform at the National MICA Awards where they had been awarded "Best Unsigned Act in Western Australia" for 2000. Soon after, Cartman began their "Nobody Tour". Travelling from Sydney to Melbourne and playing all stops in-between.
Returning home, Cartman took a much needed break.
Cartman grabbed the national spotlight in early 2002 with their breakthrough album Go! being selected for Triple J
Album of the Week. The first track to be lifted from the album, "Shock" raced across the national airwaves and was selected as the eviction music for reality TV show Big Brother
. "Shock" spent 17 weeks in the Triple J
Net 50 and was voted in the Triple J Hottest 100
songs for 2002. "Shock" was followed closely by the country tinged break up song "Got No Reason" which spent 5 weeks in the Triple J
Net 50 and received significant airplay across the country, The third single lifted from the album was the pop rock ballad "George", a Joe Hawkins/Cartman song. Rotation on Triple J
and the commercial networks cemented the album as one of the best Australian releases for 2002.
The band have been on a permanent hiatus since late 2003. Turnley has been performing lead vocals in Perth band The Avenues.
Cain Turnley - Vocals, Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Scott Nicholls - Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Ben Mills - Drums, Percussion
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
rock band from Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
.
Early years
The band was formed in 1997 in what began as a desperate attempt to enter a songwriting competition by Joe Hawkins.
"I had sent in a tape of some songs recorded at home on the four-track" begins Hawkins, the bands vocalist and rhythm guitarist. "Only trouble was that (to play the songs live) I needed to get a bass player and someone who could sing harmonies".
Cain Turnley, a trusted friend and a more than competent guitarist, was called on for a favour, "I had two weeks to rehearse the tunes and Id never picked up a bass before."
Performing under the name Mr. Pink, they were knocked out of the contest in the first round but continued to play together for the next four months. It was an exciting period, not only were they getting paid to play (a definite first), they had unlocked a formidable songwriting partnership. It was early days, yet under a heavy influence of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
and Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
, the tunes were dynamic and exciting, all the while featuring strong melody and beautiful harmonies.
1998 saw Scott Nicholls (Lead Guitar) and Ben Mills (Drums) complete the line-up and heralded the beginning of the band that was now affectionately renamed Cartman.
Recordings
It wasn't too long before the urge to record took hold and the EP I'm Not A Policeman was released through the national label Phantom RecordsPhantom Records
Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings (founder of Mambo (Clothing) and...
.
"It cost $900 and took us 3 days to record, mix and master" explains Hawkins. "We never expected it to do a lot, but it kind of took off"
The single "Drive" was picked up by the National radio station Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
and added to high rotation. Many independent radio stations, including Perth's own RTR-FM
RTRFM
RTRFM is a not-for-profit, community radio station based in Perth, Western Australia. It is self-funded, largely through listener subscription and fund-raising events, however it does carry some "advertising material" at a maximum of 5 mins per hour. It broadcasts 24 hours a day, on 92.1 in the...
, jumped onto the single. Similarly, the West Australian Music Industry rewarded the song by crowning WAM Song of the Year
WAM Song of the Year
WAM was originally formed as the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association Inc. in 1985, with its main aim to develop and run annual awards recognising achievements within the music industry in Western Australia...
in 1999 (the song also won in the category, 'Best Pop Song') with the band also winniong the 'Best Acoustic Song' for "Pieces". Throughout 1999 and into 2000, Cartman continued to win awards and nominations for many of their tunes and accompanying filmclips, at the same time landing some prize gigs including The Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
and supports for Pollyanna
Pollyanna
Pollyanna is a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter that is now considered a classic of children's literature, with the title character's name becoming a popular term for someone with the same optimistic outlook. The book was such a success, that Porter soon produced a sequel, Pollyanna...
, Gerling
Gerling
Gerling were an alternative guitar and electronic act from Australia. They formed in 1993, and are based in Sydney.-History:The band formed in 1993 with the line-up of Darren Cross , Presser and Brad Herdson...
, Sneeze
Sneeze
A sneeze is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa...
, Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe is an Australian alternative rock band formed by Stuart MacLeod on guitars, Joel Quartermain on drums and guitar and Kavyen Temperley on bass guitar and vocals, in East Fremantle, Western Australia in 1997....
and Shihad
Shihad
Shihad is a New Zealand hard/alternative rock band, currently based in Melbourne, Australia. During Shihad's recording career, they have produced four number-one studio albums and three top-ten singles in their home country of New Zealand....
.
The band released their second EP, Nobody, in March 2000 (the actual launch gig featured Fourth Floor Collapse
Fourth Floor Collapse
-History:Fourth Floor Collapse originated in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, playing their first show at the Rosemount Hotel in 1998. They became the most awarded unsigned band in Australia, taking out the Next Big Thing Competition in 1999 and winning ten Western Australian Music...
and The Sleepy Jackson
The Sleepy Jackson
The Sleepy Jackson are an Australian alternative rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia. The band's name was inspired by a former drummer who was narcoleptic. The band revolves around the distinctive vocal style of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Luke Steele...
as support). Recorded at Revolver Studios and produced by Ben Glatzer, this was the beginning of the relationship that would later see them utilising the studio and 'Benny G' for the recording of Go!. The initial single "Nobody" was immediately added to playlists across the country, while the filmclip opened the band up visually to a national audience. On a grander scale, the single was also picked up by the legendary UK Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
, who added it to the stations playlist, along with the independent UK network X-FM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
.
Capitalising on their heightened profile, the band embarked on two tours. The first saw them heading to Adelaide to perform at the National MICA Awards where they had been awarded "Best Unsigned Act in Western Australia" for 2000. Soon after, Cartman began their "Nobody Tour". Travelling from Sydney to Melbourne and playing all stops in-between.
Hawkins explains:
"Its great being a band from Perth, but after a while you've played all the venues there is to play, you've played with every band there is to play with, and you end up playing to the same audiences at every show. Unless you're prepared to travel 600km each weekend to play at a different venue, its a real hassle."
"Being on tour was great because everything was new. It didn't matter that it was raining, or you'd only had 3
hours sleep or that you were still hung over from the night before everything was good. New towns, new pubs, new people, and you were actually in the land of the Big Boys. We were finally able to go into Triple J!!"
Returning home, Cartman took a much needed break.
"There was no way we would have stayed together as a band unless we took some time off" says Turnley. "It was time to rethink the game plan."
"People were saying we'd missed the boat, that we'd split up it was all bullshit. We were just four really tired guys who'd put in a shitload of effort into the band. Now we wanted to take a rest"
Debut Album
The decision was made to record an album. The band's efforts were focused on writing and arranging new material that they would all be happy with.
"We wanted to have an album that was different, where each song sounded unique, like they could have all been written and played by different bands. At the same time, the album had to be cohesive and sound like an album. It doesn't make sense, but that's what we wanted and that's what we ended up getting"
Cartman grabbed the national spotlight in early 2002 with their breakthrough album Go! being selected for Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
Album of the Week. The first track to be lifted from the album, "Shock" raced across the national airwaves and was selected as the eviction music for reality TV show Big Brother
Big Brother (Australia)
Big Brother Australia is the Australian version of the international Big Brother reality television series. Big Brother Australia was produced from 2001 and ran for 8 seasons before it was cancelled in 2008. It has been renewed in September 2011 for a 2012 season. All eight seasons were produced by...
. "Shock" spent 17 weeks in the Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
Net 50 and was voted in the Triple J Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100, 2002
The 2002 Triple J Hottest 100, announced on 26 January 2003, was the tenth such countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. As in previous years, a CD featuring 39 songs was released. For the first time, a DVD, containing film...
songs for 2002. "Shock" was followed closely by the country tinged break up song "Got No Reason" which spent 5 weeks in the Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
Net 50 and received significant airplay across the country, The third single lifted from the album was the pop rock ballad "George", a Joe Hawkins/Cartman song. Rotation on Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
and the commercial networks cemented the album as one of the best Australian releases for 2002.
The band have been on a permanent hiatus since late 2003. Turnley has been performing lead vocals in Perth band The Avenues.
Band members
Joe Hawkins - Vocals, Electric Bass, Acoustic GuitarCain Turnley - Vocals, Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Scott Nicholls - Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Ben Mills - Drums, Percussion
Albums
- Go!Go! (Cartman album)Go! is the debut album by Cartman and was released January 14, 2002 by Embryo Records and distributed by MGM Distribution.Scott Nicholls designed and produced the artwork for the album Go!...
- Embryo Records (14 January 2002)
EPs
- I'm Not A PolicemanI'm Not a PolicemanI'm Not a Policeman is the debut EP by Cartman and was released February 8, 1999.-Track listing:# "Drive" - 3:46# "Leave It Out" - 4:22# "I'm Not a Policeman" - 3:40# "Sugarcane" - 4:42# "Pieces" - 3:57...
- Indepdenent (8 February 1999) - Split EP - Rocket Records (4 December 2000) Split EP with Spencer TracySpencer Tracy (band)Spencer Tracy was an Australian rock band, whose founding members Lee Jones, brother Kim and Shaun Sibbes came from Collie, Western Australia.-History:...
- featuring "Battle of The Ego's" and "Fight" - NobodyNobody (EP)Nobody is the second EP by Cartman and was released March 27, 2000 by Rocket Records and distributed by MGM Distribution.-Track listing:# "Nobody" - 3:47# "Datsun 180B" - 2:29# "One You're Without" - 3:41# "Song For Absent Friends" 3:16# "Think" - 3:27...
- Rocket Label (27 March 2000) - GeorgeGeorge (EP)George is the third EP by Cartman and was released October 7, 2002 by Embryo Records and distributed by MGM Distribution. The EP also features a rendition of the Madonna hit "Justify My Love" as well as the videos for "Shock", "If I" and "Nobody"....
- Embryo Records (7 October 2002)