Twerps was an Australian indie pop band, formed in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
in 2008.
History
Twerps formed in late 2008 as a "creative outgrowth" of Martin Frawley and Julia MacFarlane's relationship.
[Wallen, Doug (November 2018)]
"Martin Frawley Is Forging A New Path Post Twerps"
LNWY. Retrieved 15 July 2020. The band developed a jangly pop sound similar to that of
Dick Diver and other contemporaries in the Melbourne indie scene, which subsequently became known as
dolewave. Within months of forming, Twerps had already supported international touring groups such as
Deerhunter
Deerhunter is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2001. The band currently consists of Bradford Cox (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Moses Archuleta (drums, electronics, sound treatments), Lotus Plaza, Lockett Pundt (guitar, ...
,
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo (YLT; Spanish for "I have her") is an American indie rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan (guitars, piano, vocals), Georgia Hubley (drums, piano, vocals), and James M ...
and
Oh Sees
Osees are an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1997, now based in Los Angeles, California. The band currently consists of primary songwriter and core member John Dwyer (vocals, guitar), Tim Hellman (bass), Dan Rincon (dr ...
.
Released by
Chapter Music
Chapter Music is one of Australia's longest-running independent record labels. Chapter Music has worked with a broad range of mostly Australian artists, in genres such as rock and roll, indie pop, post punk, country and western and folk. Betwee ...
in 2011, the band's self-titled debut LP was favourably received by critics, earning a 7.9 from ''
Pitchfork
A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves.
The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to th ...
'', which stated that the album is characterised by "excellent melodies, simple guitar lines, and simple lyrics that imply something urgent or devastating". ''Pitchfork'' also named the album's closer "Coast to Coast" as a Best New Track, making Twerps the third Australian band to earn the award after
Cut Copy
Cut Copy (sometimes stylised as Cut/Copy) are an Australian synth-pop band formed in 2001 by Dan Whitford (vocals, keyboards and guitar). Originally a home-recording project, the band now includes Tim Hoey (guitars), Ben Browning (bass guitar), ...
and
Tame Impala
Tame Impala is the psychedelic music project of Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. In the recording studio, Parker writes, records, performs, and produces all of the project's music. As a touring act, Tame Impala consists of Parke ...
.
In the lead-up to the release of their sophomore LP ''Range Anxiety'', the band recruited Angus Lord and Alex MacFarlane from dolewave band the Stevens, who joined as replacements on bass and drums, respectively. The album led to an international tour and various festival appearances.
Twerps played their final show in November 2017 and released their last song, "It's Time", the following year. They quietly disbanded soon after.
[ Despite breaking up, Frawley is hopeful of a reunion at some point, stating, "One of my favourite records by ]The Go-Betweens
The Go-Betweens were an Australian indie rock band formed in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1977. The band was co-founded and led by singer-songwriters and guitarists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan, who were its only constant members throughout ...
is ''The Friends of Rachel Worth
''The Friends of Rachel Worth'' is the seventh album by Brisbane indie band The Go-Betweens, released 12 years after their sixth, ''16 Lovers Lane''. For this album, Robert Forster and Grant McLennan were joined by all members of American indie ...
'', which is their comeback ... I want to make music with Jules again omeday.[
]
Members
* Martin Frawley – vocals, guitar (2008–2018)
* Julia MacFarlane – vocals, guitar (2008–2018)
* Rick Milovanovic – bass guitar (2008–2013)
* Patrick O'Neill – drums (2008–2013)
* Angus Lord – bass guitar (2013–2018)
* Alex MacFarlane – drums (2013–2018)
* Jazper Doak Stride – dancing (2020–2022)
Discography
Albums
Extended plays
Awards and nominations
EG Awards / Music Victoria Awards
The EG Awards (known as ''Music Victoria Awards'' since 2013) are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.
, -
, rowspan="4", EG Awards of 2012
The EG Awards of 2012 are the seventh Annual The Age EG (Entertainment Guide) Awards and took place at Billboards on 20 November 2012. The event was hosted by Myf Warhurst. It was the last time under the title of EG Awards before changing its na ...
Music Victoria Awards of 2015
The Music Victoria Awards of 2015 are the tenth Annual Music Victoria Awards and consist of a series of awards, culminating in an awards ceremony on 11 November 2015.
For the first time, the public awards and the genre specific awards, were all ...
References
External links
Twerps
at Chapter Music
Chapter Music is one of Australia's longest-running independent record labels. Chapter Music has worked with a broad range of mostly Australian artists, in genres such as rock and roll, indie pop, post punk, country and western and folk. Betwee ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Twerps
Musical groups from Melbourne
Musical groups established in 2008
Musical groups disestablished in 2018