The Chemist (band)

The Chemist
Background information
Origin	Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Genres	Indie Rock, blues, Folk,
Years active	2007–2013
Labels	Create/Control
Website	www.thechemistband.com.au
Members	Ben Witt Chris Wright James Ireland Hamish Rahn
Past members	Elliot Smith

The Chemist is a four-piece alternative rock music group from Perth, Western Australia formed in 2007.^[1][2]

History

The Chemist formed when all four members met studying music at university.^[1] The Chemist's first gig was a heat in the prestigious Next Big Thing Competition. They won their heat and ended up runners-up in the entire competition.^[3]

They've since played at the Big Day Out, Splendor in the Grass, Southbound,^[4] received significant airplay on Triple J, worked with Luke Steele of the Sleepy Jackson^[2][5] and supported Silversun Pickups, Robert Forster, Boy & Bear, Hungry Kids of Hungary, The Beautiful Girls, End of Fashion,^[6] Birds of Tokyo^[6][7] and Sugar Army.^[6]

In 2013, The Chemist signed to Create/Control and released their debut album Ballet In The Badlands on March 22. The album was given 4/5 stars by Rolling Stone magazine.

Music style

The Chemist play a unique brand of blues infused indie swamp rock, drawing influence from artists such as Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, The Walkmen, The Beach Boys, Beck & many more.

Personnel

• Ben Witt – lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboard (2007–present)
• Elliot Smith – drums (2007-2012)
• Chris Wright: drums (2012–present)
• James Ireland – keyboard (2007–present)
• Hamish Rahn – bass (2007–present)

Discography

Albums/EPs

• Ballet In The Badlands - Create/Control (2013)
  1. "Heaven's Got A Dress Code" - 3:44
  2. "Spray Paint or Praise (Still a Statue in the Wind)" - 4:17
  3. "Silver & Gold" - 3:13
  4. "Sad Eyes" - 3:30
  5. "Nails in Mud" - 4:54
  6. "Stripped Paint" - 4:18
  7. "Strings Lickin' Limbs" - 3:54
  8. "Test Tubes (Only Forgotten Son)" - 4:30
  9. "December" - 4:25
  10. "Tonight, Tomorrow Is Sold" - 3:38
  11. "Sparrow's Shadow" - 3:55
  12. "Long Road Back" - 3:12

• The Wolves' Howls Shatter the Old Glass Moon - Dirt Diamond Productions (2010)
  1. "End of July" – 3:05
  2. "Stars" – 3:17
  3. "Things Have Changed" – 5:23
  4. "Don't Look Down" – 3:05
  5. "Find My Way Home" – 5:47

• Lullabies - Dirt Diamond Productions (2010)
  1. "Lullaby #1 (Mercy)" – 3:34
  2. "When The Morning Comes" – 3:14
  3. "Sweet Dreams" – 2:28
  4. "As Deep As Death" – 3:04

Singles

• Lullaby #1 (Mercy) - Dirt Diamond Productions (2010)
  1. "Lullaby #1 (Mercy)" – 3:34

References

1. "Triple J Unearthed: The Chemist". triplejunearthed.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
2. "The Chemist". abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 May 2010. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
3. "Next Big Thing Past Winners". nextbigthing.net.au. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
4. "Southbound 2009". triplejunearthed.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
5. Coufos, Polly (16 May 2010), "The Western front", STM Entertainment Magazine
6. "He's Got Witt". xpressmag.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
7. "Birds of Tokyo, The Chemist @ Amplifier". fasterlouder.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2010.

External links

• Official website

• The Chemist interview in Reverb magazine (November 2010)