The Red Paintings

The Red Paintings are a collaborative art rock band originally formed in Geelong, Australia. Founding mainstay, Trash McSweeney provides lead vocals, guitar, sequencing and sampling. He has been joined by various musicians throughout the years.

The band is known for their themed performances incorporating elements of theatre and art, often self-described as "orchestral sci-fi art rock". Band members often dress in elaborate costumes and employ stage props, theatrical elements, and visual projections to support their shows. The band often invites members of the audience to paint during their live music set.

History

Formation and early releases

The Red Paintings were formed in Geelong by 1999 with front man Trash McSweeney (previously known as Jamie Barrett) on lead vocals, guitar, sequencing and sampling. McSweeney said he formed the band after having a seizure and seeing music as colour (synesthesia) when he woke up in the hospital.

The band's original line-up issued two extended plays ''Angel Flummox'' (1999) and ''Reality (Ahead of Schedule)'' (2000). Their third EP, ''Cinema Love'', appeared via Asphalt Records in January 2002. The group were briefly based in Melbourne before relocating to Brisbane in mid-2003. McSweeney had received positive feedback and show offers at an impromptu solo gig in Brisbane.

The group, with McSweeney joined by Jasmine Ebeling on bass guitar, Leigh Doolan on drums and Ellen Stancombe on violin, tin whistle and vocals, recorded "I'll Sell You Suicide", which was entered for Triple J's Unearthed competition to represent Brisbane in 2004. The Red Paintings performed at 2004's Valley Fiesta.

''Walls'', ''Destroy the Robots'' and ''Feed the Wolf'' (2005–2007)

In April 2005, The Red Paintings were signed to Brisbane-based label, Modern Music with distribution by Sony BMG. Title track "Walls" of the seven-track ''Walls'' EP (Modern Music/Sony BMG) entered the stations Net 50 chart at No. 3 and charted for fifteen weeks.

The next release from the band in May 2006, '' Destroy the Robots'', is the first installment of their Robot Trilogy.

Recognition and radio airplay from this tour saw them picked as support for Mogwai, and play at The Great Escape. They also supported The Dresden Dolls on their 2006 Australian tour.

The Red Paintings released the third installment in the Robot Trilogy, ''Feed the Wolf'' EP (June 2007). It was recorded by the line-up of McSweeney on vocals, guitar, sequencing and samples; Stancombe on violin, tin whistle and vocals; Jennings on cello and vocals; Holmes on bass guitar; and Davis on drums. This seven-track EP was funded via fan donations. During June–July 2007 the band undertook their Animal Rebellion Tour to promote the EP.

''The Revolution Is Never Coming'' (2007–present)

In June 2007, the band requested fan donations after announcing plans for recording the debut album. A$40,000 was successfully raised towards their independent LP. They issued a single from the album, "We Belong in the Sea" (March 2008).

By 2009 the Red Paintings had moved to Los Angeles. They were announced as the support act for Mindless Self Indulgence during April and May 2009. Following these shows, Mindless Self Indulgence invited the Red Paintings to tour as the main support for their theatre tour across the UK and Europe in November and December 2013. Soon afterwards, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead announced TRP as the opener for their North American tour in July 2013. The band also revealed its plans to release and tour their debut studio album with a new stage show beginning in Australia in June.

In 2013, the band released their 13-track debut studio album, ''The Revolution Is Never Coming'', which was described as "futuristic rock". At the 2013 Queensland Music Awards, they entered "You're not One of Them" for the Video category. The Red Paintings relocated to the United Kingdom serving as support act to Gary Numan, in June 2014. In 2017, the Red Paintings became an international band, based across London and Los Angeles.

Members

* Trash McSweeney – lead vocals, guitar, sequencing, sampling
* Josh Engelking – percussion
* Wayne Jennings – cello
* Ellen Stancombe – violin
* Amanda Holmes – bass guitar
* Andy Davis – drums
* David Sue Yek – cello
* Leigh Doolan – drums
* Jasmine Ebeling – bass guitar
* Emma Baker – bass guitar
* Alix Kol – violin

Discography

Albums

*''The Virgin Mary Australian Tour Acoustic/Strings Album'' or ''Your Tears Are Warning Signs'' (live album, 2004) – Asphalt Records
*''Seizure & Synesthesia'' (video album, 2006) – Independent/Vitamin Records
*''The Revolution Is Never Coming'' (2013)

Extended plays

References

External links

The Red Paintings' official site


at Australian Music Online, 13 November 2003, archive
here
on 19 April 2006, accessed on 31 May 2022. Founding lead singer and songwriter, known as Jamie Barrett, is interviewed.
*

at Australian Music Online, 23 May 2005, archive

on 27 November 2007, accessed on 14 March 2022. Founding lead singer and songwriter, now known as Trash McSweeney, is interviewed.

Interview with Trash McSweeney
at Rave Magazine archive
here

{{DEFAULTSORT:Red Paintings, The
Musical groups from Brisbane
Victoria (Australia) musical groups
Australian rock music groups
The Red Paintings albums
Musical groups from Geelong
Musical groups established in 1999
1999 establishments in Australia