The Chats

The Chats are an Australian punk rock band that formed in 2016 in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. The current band lineup is composed of guitarist Josh Hardy, drummer Matt Boggis, and bassist and vocalist Eamon Sandwith. Known for their songs about Australian culture, they initially went viral for their song "Smoko" and its accompanying music video in 2017.[2][3][4][5] To date they have released two EPs, The Chats (2016) and Get This in Ya!! (2017), and their debut studio album High Risk Behaviour was released on 27 March 2020.[6]

The Chats
Original lineup of The Chats in 2019
Background information
OriginSunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Genres
Years active2016 (2016)–present[1]
LabelsCooking Vinyl Australia, Bargain Bin
Associated actsThe Unknowns
Websitewww.thechatslovebeer.com
MembersEamon Sandwith
Matt Boggis
Josh Hardy
Past membersTremayne McCarthy
Josh "Pricey" Price

History

Formation (2016)

Josh Price, Matt Boggis and Eamon Sandwith met in music class at St. Teresa's Catholic College in Noosa, Queensland. When they were 17, in September 2016, they formed the Chats, with Price on guitar, Boggis on drums, and Sandwidth on bass and vocals. Former member Tremayne McCarthy also played bass and guitar in the original lineup.[7] The band takes its name from the phrase "that's chat" - (Australian slang to describe something terrible).

Their debut self-titled EP, recorded at their high school, was released on 7 November 2016.[8] Triple J described the EP as "seven joyous sky-punching tracks that combined 60s garage punk and 70s new wave punk".[7]

Get This in Ya!! (2017)
Bassist Eamon Sandwith performing live with the Chats in 2017

Their second EP, Get This in Ya!! was released on 31 July 2017, "another thrilling seven-song slice of economic, stripped-down, early Buzzcocks-styles punk tension".[9][7] It was tracked/recorded at Eleven PM Studios in Nambour, Queensland, Australia, by Finn Wegener and Michael Currie on 24 June 2017. Former member, Tremayne McCarthy, actually played bass on the "Smoko" track and spoke the line "Is it Smoko?". Michael Currie was the producer and decided that the best way to record the band was all in the same room together live. Only very minimal overdubbing was done. It was then mixed and mastered by Michael Currie at his Polished Turd Studios in Brisbane, Australia. The music video for the track "Smoko", filmed with no budget at a building site, was directed by Matisse Langbein, who also did the cover art for the EP, and was released on the 3rd of October, quickly becoming a viral hit and drawing attention from popular rock musicians Josh Homme, Iggy Pop, and Dave Grohl.[10] Triple J argued that the song "was an instant classic of a youth anthem on a par with 'You Really Got Me', 'My Generation' or 'Teenage Kicks'".[7]

Universal deal and High Risk Behaviour (2018–present)

On 3 July 2018, the Chats released the single "Do What I Want", announced to be included in their forthcoming studio album.[11][12]

The band signed a global deal with Universal Music Publishing Australia on 19 March 2019, and founded their own label, Bargain Bin Records.[13][14][15] On 21 March, The Chats released "Pub Feed" alongside an accompanying music video.[16] Throughout July, the band toured the United States.[17] On 26 July, they released the single "Identity Theft" alongside an accompanying music video, which contains references to the video game Guitar Hero.[18] The band performed at the UK Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2019.[19] In October 2019, the Chats commenced an Australian national tour.[20] The band performed a headlining tour in the UK during December 2019.[19] When asked about the then-untitled High Risk Behaviour during an interview at the Reading Festival, Sandwith revealed that the songs were already recorded: "We're gonna call it done...we're not perfectionists or anything.".[21]

In late December 2019, Sandwith posted a song criticizing Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his perceived apathy and carelessness towards the 2019-20 bushfire crisis to Instagram, titled 'I Hope Scott's House Burns Down'; according to Pedestrian.tv, the song is being used to aid fundraising efforts for numerous volunteer firefighter groups.[22] The band debuted the song "The Clap" on 17 January 2020 and revealed the name of their debut studio album, High Risk Behaviour, as well as a release date of 27 March 2020. Weeks before its release, the band released a music video for the album track "Dine & Dash".[23]

On November 8, 2020 the band released their next single, "AC/DC CD", a tribute to the Australian band AC/DC. Guitarist Josh "Pricey" Price was not featured in the song’s music video, while potential new member Josh Hardy of Australian band The Unknowns was, leading to online speculation of his departure from the band. In December 2020, the band officially confirmed Price’s departure and announced Hardy as his replacement.[24]

Musical style and influences

The band coined the term "shed rock" to describe their sound, and their self-contained approach has been likened to that of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.[7] They cited Australian bands Cosmic Psychos, Dune Rats and Eddy Current Suppression Ring as major influences.[2]

Band members

Current members

  • Eamon Sandwith – lead vocals, bass guitar (2016–present)
  • Matt Boggis – drums, backing vocals (2016–present)
  • Josh Hardy - guitar, backing vocals (2020–present)

Past members

  • Tremayne McCarthy – bass, guitar, backing vocals (2016–2017)
  • Josh "Pricey" Price – guitar, backing and lead vocals (2016–2020)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[25]
High Risk Behaviour 5

Extended plays
List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title EP details
The Chats
Get This in Ya!!
  • Released: 31 July 2017
  • Label: The Chats
  • Format: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming

Singles
List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Smoko" 2017 Get This in Ya!!
"Do What I Want"[28] 2018 High Risk Behaviour
"Pub Feed"[29] 2019
"Identity Theft"[30]
"The Clap"[31] 2020
"Dine N Dash"[32]
"AC/DC CD"[33] Non-album single

Music videos
List of music videos, with year released and director shown
Year Title Director
2017 "Smoko" Matisse Langbein
2019 "Pub Feed" Matt Weston
"Identity Theft"
2020 "The Clap"
"Dine N Dash"
"ACϟDC CD" Natalie Sim

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

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

Year Nominee / work Award Result Lost to
2020[34][35] High Risk Behaviour Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album Nominated King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Chunky Shrapnel
"The Clap" Best Video Nominated Guy Sebastian - "Standing With You"

J Awards

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
J Awards of 2019[36] "Identity Theft" Australian Video of the Year Nominated
themselves Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
National Live Music Awards of 2019[37][38] themselves Best New Act Nominated

Notes
  1. Although it was their first EP, it was not released officially until after their second EP 'Get This in Ya' was released online.

References
  1. Hall, Byron (10 December 2017). "The Chats // Behind the Band". Behind The Scene. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  2. Scott, Tim. "The Chats tell us how they cooked up Smoko". Red Bull. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  3. Holdsworth, Matthew (11 December 2017). "The Coast band's 'Aussie' song that's gone viral". Sunshine Coast Daily. HT&E. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  4. "'I'm on smoko': Most Aussie song ever goes viral". The New Zealand Herald. NZME. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  5. Mack, Emmy (9 December 2017). "Mullet-Sporting Queensland Punk Band Goes Viral With Song About Smoko". Music Feeds. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  6. "The Chats announce debut album 'High Risk Behaviour'". Music Feeds. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  7. "THE CHATS". triple j Unearthed. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  8. "The Chats EP | The Chats". BandCamp. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  9. "The Chats 'Identity Theft' Tour NZ Supports Announced | The Chats". scoop.co.nz. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  10. The Chats (3 October 2017). "THE CHATS - SMOKO (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved 27 July 2019 – via YouTube.
  11. "Do What I Want - Single by The Chats". Apple Music. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  12. "The Chats - Do What I Want". Amrap's AirIt. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  13. "Bargain Bin Records". Bargain Bin Records. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  14. "The Chats". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  15. "Universal Music Publishing | Australia & New Zealand". Universal Music Publishing. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  16. The Chats (21 March 2019). "The Chats - Pub Feed (official video)". Retrieved 27 July 2019 – via YouTube.
  17. Gentile, John (8 July 2019). "The Chats are on a USA tour now". Punk News. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  18. The Chats (26 July 2019). "The Chats - Identity Theft". Retrieved 27 July 2019 – via YouTube.
  19. Daly, Rhian (12 July 2019). "Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Alex Turner and Matt Helders all went to see Aussie punks The Chats together". NME. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  20. English, Laura (26 July 2019). "The Chats Drop New Song 'Identity Theft', Announce National Tour". Music Feeds. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  21. An Interview With: The Chats - Reading Festival 2019, retrieved 14 November 2019
  22. "The Chats Premiere New Little Ditty 'I Hope Scott's House Burns Down' On Social Media". Music Feeds. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  23. The Chats – Dine N Dash (Official Video), retrieved 6 March 2020
  24. Newstead, Al (2 December 2020). "The Chats announce new line-up after guitarist departs band". triple j. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  25. "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  26. Langford, Jackson (16 January 2020). "The Chats announce debut album 'High Risk Behaviour'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  27. Welby, Augustus (4 February 2020). "Watch: The Chats perform 'Pub Feed' on Channel 9's Today Show". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 23 April 2020. High Risk Behaviour comes out March 27 via Bargain Bin Records/Cooking Vinyl Australia.
  28. "Do What I Want – Single by The Chats on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  29. "Pub Feed – Single by The Chats on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  30. "Identity Theft – Single by The Chats on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  31. Lefevre, Jules (16 January 2020). "The Chats' new track is a friendly PSA about Chlamydia". Junkee. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  32. English, Laura (6 March 2020). "The Chats share video for 'Dine N Dash' & announce national tour". Music Feeds. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  33. Martin, Josh (8 November 2020). "The Chats pay tribute to rock royalty on new single 'AC/DC CD'". NME Australia. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  34. "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  35. "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  36. "The J Award 2019". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  37. "HERE ARE YOUR 2019 NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES!". NLMA. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  38. "AND THE WINNERS OF THE 2019 NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARDS ARE..." NLMA. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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