Carus and The True Believers
Encyclopedia
Carus and The True Believers are an Australian folk/country/roots/reggae band based in Melbourne
, Australia
. The band which was formed in 1995 has since risen to national prominence as a major band on the new roots-folk scene and are beginning to develop a loyal fan base in Europe and North America. The band has released three studio albums, one live album and three EPs, their latest release is Three Boxes.
), Ed Kuepper
and Neil Murray
. In 2000 Carus released his first EP, the self titled EP attracted the attention of many similar musical acts and Carus soon found himself touring with the likes of Jack Johnson
, John Butler Trio
and The Waifs
. With the release of their second EP in 2002, Mind's Eye, Carus and The True Believers had established themselves as a prominent Australian band and so began work on their first album, Songs from Martin St
.
) on drums and Noel Manyam on bass guitar released the Carus's first studio album in February 2003, Songs from Martin St. The album which boasts an eclectic mix of rock, reggae and folk stylings reached number 18 on the Australian Independent Records chart. The album established the band as a leading group in the new roots-folk scene along with similar artists such as John Butler Trio
and The Waifs
. The release of the album was followed by extensive national touring and a tour of Europe. Carus recorded a solo performance titled, Live at the Norfolk in October 2003 which is one of his most popular releases. With Paul Keenen leaving Carus & the True Believers to drum for Australian rock band Eskimo Joe
, Carus recruited old friend Jason McGann who had previously drummed for The John Butler Trio. In April 2004, Long Nights are Gone, the second album by Carus & the True Believers was recorded in one day in Fremantle with half the songs written and recorded on the same day. Recorded in Carus's parents bedroom, Long Nights Are Gone depicts the process of writing & recording on the fly. In 2006, Long Nights Are Gone was edited for the German market, combined with the EP The Breakdown and repackaged. In Australia, the album managed to further boost the prominence of the band with the single, "Ain't no Crime" taking out the number 1 spot on Triple J
's Net 50. With another lineup change, after Long Nights Are Gone, Andy Fry replaced Noel Manyam on bass. Andy Fry also played Bass for The John Butler Trio.
John Bedggood has also played on Bernard Fanning
on his solo album, Tea and Sympathy
and performed as part of the backing band on the album promotional tour.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The band which was formed in 1995 has since risen to national prominence as a major band on the new roots-folk scene and are beginning to develop a loyal fan base in Europe and North America. The band has released three studio albums, one live album and three EPs, their latest release is Three Boxes.
Early Days
The band was formed in 1995, when the 18 year old front man, Carus Thompson began playing on the Perth pub circuit, often playing as many as four or five nights a week. Carus quickly built a name for himself by supporting local acts such as Mick Thomas (Weddings Parties AnythingWeddings Parties Anything
Weddings Parties Anything were an Australian folk rock band formed in 1984 in Melbourne and continuing until 1998. Their name came from The Clash song and musicologist Billy Pinnell described their first album as the best Australian rock debut since Skyhooks' Living in the '70s.-Formation and...
), Ed Kuepper
Ed Kuepper
Ed Kuepper is an Australian guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. He co-founded the seminal punk band The Saints, the experimental post-punk group Laughing Clowns and later the grunge-like The Aints...
and Neil Murray
Neil Murray (Australian musician)
Neil Murray is an Australian musician and writer. He was a founding member of the Warumpi Band that formed in the early 1980s, the first major Aboriginal rock group and influential Aboriginal rock band.-Biography:...
. In 2000 Carus released his first EP, the self titled EP attracted the attention of many similar musical acts and Carus soon found himself touring with the likes of Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
, John Butler Trio
John Butler Trio
The John Butler Trio are an eclectic roots and jam band from Australia led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums and Gavin Shoesmith on bass guitar...
and The Waifs
The Waifs
The Waifs are an Australian folk rock band formed in 1992 by Josh Cunningham , and sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson...
. With the release of their second EP in 2002, Mind's Eye, Carus and The True Believers had established themselves as a prominent Australian band and so began work on their first album, Songs from Martin St
Songs from Martin St
Songs From Martin St. is the first studio album released by Australian Reggae Group Carus and The True Believers. The album was recorded between September and December 2002 at Martin St Studios, Melbourne and was released in February 2003. The album was listed at number 18 on the Australian...
.
2002-2005
Riding on the success of extensive touring in 2002, Carus with Paul Keenan (who later joined Australian band Eskimo JoeEskimo 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....
) on drums and Noel Manyam on bass guitar released the Carus's first studio album in February 2003, Songs from Martin St. The album which boasts an eclectic mix of rock, reggae and folk stylings reached number 18 on the Australian Independent Records chart. The album established the band as a leading group in the new roots-folk scene along with similar artists such as John Butler Trio
John Butler Trio
The John Butler Trio are an eclectic roots and jam band from Australia led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums and Gavin Shoesmith on bass guitar...
and The Waifs
The Waifs
The Waifs are an Australian folk rock band formed in 1992 by Josh Cunningham , and sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson...
. The release of the album was followed by extensive national touring and a tour of Europe. Carus recorded a solo performance titled, Live at the Norfolk in October 2003 which is one of his most popular releases. With Paul Keenen leaving Carus & the True Believers to drum for Australian rock band 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....
, Carus recruited old friend Jason McGann who had previously drummed for The John Butler Trio. In April 2004, Long Nights are Gone, the second album by Carus & the True Believers was recorded in one day in Fremantle with half the songs written and recorded on the same day. Recorded in Carus's parents bedroom, Long Nights Are Gone depicts the process of writing & recording on the fly. In 2006, Long Nights Are Gone was edited for the German market, combined with the EP The Breakdown and repackaged. In Australia, the album managed to further boost the prominence of the band with the single, "Ain't no Crime" taking out the number 1 spot 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...
's Net 50. With another lineup change, after Long Nights Are Gone, Andy Fry replaced Noel Manyam on bass. Andy Fry also played Bass for The John Butler Trio.
Present
Currently the band is touring and promoting their third studio album, Three Boxes, which was released in May, 2007 in Australia, Britain and Germany.Current
- Carus Thompson: Vocals, Guitar
- Jason McGann: Drums, Vocals, Piano, Lapsteel
- John Bedggood: Violin, Piano & Mandolin, Vocals
- Mathieu Lucas: Electric & Double Bass
John Bedggood has also played on Bernard Fanning
Bernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
on his solo album, Tea and Sympathy
Tea and Sympathy (album)
Tea & Sympathy is the debut solo album by Australian musician Bernard Fanning. It was released on 31 October 2005 by Dew Process records while Powderfinger—Fanning's main band—were on hiatus. Contrary to Powderfinger's usual alternative style, the album blends alternative and...
and performed as part of the backing band on the album promotional tour.