Moler

Moler (previously called Snuff) are a power pop band which formed in 1993 as a three-piece with founding mainstays Helen Cattanach on bass guitar and lead vocals and Julien Poulsen on lead guitar. They featured a changing line-up of drummers and sometimes worked as a four-piece with a keyboardist. Their sole studio album, Golden Duck, appeared in October 1997 via Infectious/Mushroom Records/Sony Records with Lindsay Gravina producing. They disbanded in 2001. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, "[they] built-up a buzz around the Melbourne independent scene with its mix of noisy guitar fuzz, hard-driving beats, strident pop melodies and Cattanach's alternately sweet'n'purring and aggressive vocals."

Not to be confused with Molar.
For the surname, see Moler (surname).
Moler
Also known asSnuff
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
  • Indie guitar pop
  • power pop
Years active1993 (1993)–2001 (2001)
LabelsInfectious/Mushroom/Sony
Associated acts
  • Kick House
  • the Stiff Kittens
Past members
  • Helen Cattanach
  • Julien Poulson
  • David Peacock
  • Stephen Boyle
  • Neil Lynch
  • Stuart Wilson
  • Mike Glenn
  • Jason Mills
  • Matt Heydon
  • Geoffrey Dunbar
  • Steve Thomas

History

Moler were started as Snuff in Melbourne in 1993 as an indie guitar pop trio by Helen Cattanach on bass guitar and lead vocals, David Peacock on drums and Julien Poulson on lead guitar.[1] Cattanach (ex-T-Bones) and Poulson (ex-Snappers) had been members of the Stiff Kittens, which gigged in Melbourne before relocating to Hong Kong where the pair formed Kick House.[1] They reformed the Stiff Kittens in London in 1992 with Rob Lastdrager on drums and vocals (ex-Snappers, T-Bones) and Richard Webb on lead vocals and guitar (ex-Strange Fruit, T-Bones).[1] That group issued an extended play, As You Walk, via London-based label, Psychic Records.[1] The members returned to Australia.

Snuff released a five-track EP, Driven (1995),[1] via Fat Buddha Records with Lindsay Gravina producing. Soon after they changed their name to Moler and signed with Mushroom Records' imprint Infectious Records.[1] Moler featured a changing line-up of drummers.[2][3] Their debut EP, On Special, was issued in June 1996, of its five tracks Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, found "The lead-off track, 'Shopping Trolley', displayed plenty of appeal."[1] A second five-track EP, Coaster, followed in September.[1]

The group toured with fellow local bands, Snout and Magic Dirt, and supported gigs by international artists, Weezer, Everclear, Ash and Garageland.[1] Early in 1997 Peacock was replaced on drums by Steve Boyle.[1] Moler released their third EP, Infatuation, with four tracks in May 1997.[1] Its title track was placed on high rotation by national youth radio station, Triple J.[1]

They released their debut album, Golden Duck in October 1997 via Infectious/Mushroom/Sony Records with Gravina producing.[1][4] It provided a single, "Invite Me to Your Party" (mid-1997).[1] After the album appeared Boyle was replaced by Neil Lynch on drums and they added Matt Heydon (ex-Nick Barker and the Reptiles) on keyboards.[1] In April 1999 they issued another single, "Brian Was a Surfer", for which McFarlane noticed "[they] continued the revolving drummer syndrome, with Darren Seltmann (The Avalanches) playing 'kitchen drumkit' on that single."[1] They found a new drummer in early 2000, with Mike Glenn (ex-Hoss) joining, in time for a tour of the United States in March.[1]

The group's last release, "Red & White Stripes", was a single in 2001, which was also issued as a four-track EP of the same name. They were nominated for an ARIA for best rock album,[5] been on national rotation on Triple J[6] and opened the Mushroom Concert of the Century.[7] According to McFarlane, "[they] built-up a buzz around the Melbourne independent scene with its mix of noisy guitar fuzz, hard-driving beats, strident pop melodies and Cattanach's alternately sweet'n'purring and aggressive vocals."[1]

Discography

Albums

Extended plays
  • Driven (by Snuff) (1995) – Fat Buddha Records (FB004)
  • On Special (June 1996) – Infectious/Mushroom Records[9] (DINF002)
  • Coaster (September 1996) – Infectious/Mushroom (DINF005)
  • Infatuation (May 1997) – Infectious/Mushroom
  • Red & White Stripes (2001)

Singles
  • "Invite Me to Your Party" (mid-1997)
  • "Red Light Disco" (March 1998) – Mushroom[10]
  • "Delicious" (November 1998)
  • "Brian Was a Surfer" (April 1999) – Blind Records/Steady Cam Records
  • "Red & White Stripes" (2001)

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Moler'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  2. Te Koha, Nui (11 December 1997). "Op 'til you drop". Herald Sun.
  3. Greenwood, Shaun (12 November 1998). "Drumming up business". The Daily Telegraph.
  4. Murphy, Ciaran (6 November 1997). "Access all Areas". The Daily Telegraph.
  5. Grimson, Tracey (13 November 1998). "The Scream-sings Jets". Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. Brienen, Julie (21 August 1997). "Turn Off and Tune In". Illawarra Mercury.
  7. Bolster, Teresa (26 November 1998). "Moler Bite Back". Herald Sun.
  8. Epis, Michael (12 April 1998). "Golden Duck review". Sunday Age.
  9. Kingsmill, Richard (July 1996). "On Special Review". Rolling Stone. Australia.
  10. Parsons, Kate (5 April 1998). "'Red Light Disco' review". Sunday Telegraph.
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