You Am I

You Am I is an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by vocalist/guitarist Tim Rogers. They have done many successful live shows in Australia. Their 2001 album, Dress Me Slowly, reached #3 on the Australian ARIAnet albums chart that year.

History

Tim Rogers formed the first version of the band with his school friend Nick Tischler and his older brother Jaimme in December 1989. This initial line-up was short lived and by the end of 1990 both Nick and Jaimme had left the band. They were replaced by the group's one-time sound mixer Andy Kent on bass and Mark Tunaley on drums.

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The band released several EPs and singles in the early 90s, though the real breakthrough came when Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth caught the band performing at the 1993's Big Day Out festival and was impressed enough to produce its fourth EP, Coprolalia, and later the debut album, Sound as Ever. The long player went on to win the 1993 ARIA Award for Best Alternative Release.

Related Topics:
Sonic Youth - Big Day Out - ARIA Award

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After the release of thier first album, Mark and the band parted company. He was replaced by the charasmatic Russell Hopkinson (formerly of Nursery Crimes) creating the core line-up of the band to this day. Since then, the line-up has been augmented by David Lane of The Pictures on second guitar.

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You Am I had toured the US extensively over the mid 90s, including playing with Soundgarden on the Lolapalooza festival, Red Kross, The Strokes and The Smokin' Popes to name a few. Despite little success overseas, the band became well known througout Australia for their Pete Townshend-esque guitar windmills and their upbeat "pontse and thuggery" take on Rock and Roll.

Related Topics:
Lolapalooza - Red Kross - The Strokes - The Smokin' Popes - Pete Townshend

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Further success came with the albums Hi Fi Way and Hourly Daily, with both picking up ARIA Awards. Hourly Daily was the first album released on the Shock label to go to number one in the ARIA charts upon launch. For many, the suburban inspired, 60s bop and folky 12 string melodies were a welcome departure from ever pervasive 70s rock sounds, or even grunge rock.

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Subtle country influences became apparent on their Number 4 Record, which included the poignant Heavy Heart, a heart wrenching almost karaoke inspired ballad about being 'dropped' by your girlfriend. Ironically written about being dropped by record label Warner Music and not by an estranged lover. Evidently each subsequent album has had a few countryish twang which have polarised some fans, who idolise the band's earlier warts and all rock beginnings.

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The band's last collective studio effort was Deliverance in 2002. It was also lead guitarist, Davey Lane's first bona fide appearance on a studio record. Lane had come to the band's attention from his own work with The Pictures and transcribing with almost scary accuracy the band's guitar tabs on the You Am I web site.

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1999 saw frontman Tim Rogers release his first solo album What Rhymes With Cars And Girls, followed up in 2004 by the record Spit Polish. September 2003 the band parted ways with their record label BMG, with whom it had been signed with since 1998 after it acquired rooArt Records.

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Despite the lack of new You Am I material, the band hasn't been far from the spotlight. Tim Rogers especially has had no lack of notoriety. In 2004, he was involved in a punch up with Australian Idol host Mark Holden in an Australian airport terminal. More recently, too inebriated to finish a set at 2005 New Years Falls Festival in Tasmania. Most fans weren't dismayed, but reassured that a rock band can break through the mediocrity of status quo pop stars and remind us that rock is meant to be controversial.

Related Topics:
Tim Rogers - Australian Idol - Mark Holden - Falls Festival - Tasmania

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Having been signed to a litany of different labels, You Am I continue their career with indifference to their lack of commericial success. Because their impact for many fans simply can't be quantified.

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The likes of Nic Cester of Jet have mentioned that You Am I, at the very least, reminded them that you don't have to be American to be a successful rock band. Iconic references to Australian everyday suburban life remain a constant theme of Roger's material.

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Recently, Davey performed at the 2004 ARIA awards as part of the supergroup The Wrights, featuring members of many other Australian rock bands.

Related Topics:
ARIA - The Wrights

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