The Herd formed in 2000 when the collective behind the independent Sydney-based record label Elefant Traks decided to collaborate on a release rather than work as individual producers and MCs. The result was a wildly diverse 18-track self-titled album that featured the triple j hit ‘Scallops’. With the success of that song The Herd toured extensively and developed into a cohesive unit – a big change given that, pre-Herd, they were a completely freestyle/improv group called Dase Team 5000.
February 2003 saw their follow-up album An Elefant Never Forgets released amidst the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces and, closer to home, the devastating bushfires in Canberra. These were uncertain times – especially as the band had just released their first single: the controversially titled ‘Burn Down The Parliament’. Fortunately the song struck a chord with their audience – fans turned up to the launches in droves, and The Herd found themselves on the road more than ever. The second single, ‘77%’, immediately sparked controversy with print, electronic media and talkback radio hosts alarmed at both its use of language and the
forthright nature of its message. Maybe it was a sign of the times as it became the first of many Herd songs to get voted into the triple j Hottest 100.
For their next release The Herd set up a studio in inner west Sydney, creating their most coherent release so far in The Sun Never Sets. They also welcomed Jane Tyrrell into the group. Featuring radio hits like ‘We Can’t Hear You’ and ‘Unpredictable’ amongst a diverse range of tracks which displayed much refined song-writing and production, the album included a version of the Redgum classic ‘I Was Only 19’ (originally recorded as a one-off for a radio show). The album continued the band’s rise – doing shows at premium venues like Sydney’s Enmore Theatre and the Tivoli in Brisbane. Despite the departure of longtime member Bezerkatron (who rapped in Czech on ‘Unpredictable’), in 2006 they did the national Big Day Out tour to huge responses – as well as succesful appearances at every major Australian festival.
In winter 2007 The Herd focused on their most ambitious album to date – returning to the Central Coast A-frame house where they’d written much of their previous albums - for an extended period of writing. The resulting album, Summerland, was completed in early 2008, and features the first single ‘The King is Dead’.
In between all this activity, members of The Herd released highly acclaimed solo albums: Unkle Ho – Roads to Roma (2004) and Circus Maximus (2007); Urthboy – Distant Sense of Random Menace (2004) and The Signal (2007); and Astronomy Class (featuring Ozi Batla) – Exit Strategy (2006).
The Herd have a reputation as one of the country’s best live acts. An unconventional set-up, they perform with two MCs, two singers, an acoustic and an electric guitar, bass, piano accordion, clarinet, laptops and MPC.
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Thankyou for doing an amazing show at the hifi bar in Melbourne! it kicked so much arse, i just wanna see the herd all the time now.. you GOT to come to victoria more often!! it was bloody awesomeee!! I can't wait to see you's again.
Send Howard to court for the Iraq war! He has been formally reported to the International Criminals court, view the case at www. iccaction. com and add your name to the public register.
hey i live in swansea N.S. W i heard your scallops song the other day and i got told bye someone that you sing a song about the metro at belmont but icarnt find i was wondering is this true ???????
Fellas love your stuff, i've got all your albums and can't wait to see ya's live again. Saw you once at pyramid, fuck sick set. Anyways keep the beats comin. you guys are most definitely up for aria nomination. peace, Dave Lee
Hey your guys! I heard your track, The king is dead for the first time last night, then cam on line and check you guys out! Awesome! Loving your energy and your music! Fantastic! So talented and way to go Auzzies! Sending Much love and creative energy your newest and biggest fan of Summerland! Luke C x
white guys get away with robbery? are you for real... oh sorry... aborigines are saints,i forgot!! im not a prick,there are millions more white fuckwits about,but as it is, to my knowledge no one deserves special treatment..
from inertia-music.com
