Snout were an Australian independent rock band who were formed in Melbourne in 1991 and disbanded in 2002. They released numerous recordings and were twice nominated for an Australian Record Industry Association Award. Ross McLennan, the founder of the band, has since gone on as a solo artist who has been nominated for the Australian Music Prize. Anthony Paine, has also gone on to be nominated for this award, with the group Black Cab.
History
Founded by Ross McLennan in Melbourne, Australia in 1991. Snout made their first recorded appearance the following year on a Half a Cow Records compilation, Slice Two They went on to be a fixture of the Australian independent music scene until their demise in 2002. The band's first release in their own right was in 1993 with the Cleans and Brightens EP, through the Au Go Go label. In 1994 they released their debut album, What's That Sound? The lineup at this time consisted of Ross McLennan, Rob Wolf and Hugh Williams. Soon after the recording of What's That Sound?, Rob and Hugh left the band. McLennan recruited Greg Ng for guitar and backing vocal duties. Ng had previously fronted Melbourne shoegaze exponents Afterglow. New drummer, Ewan McCartney had previously performed with Ripe. This combination recorded the band's most successful releases; The New Pop Dialogue and Circle High and Wide. This lineup remained stable until 1999, when Ng left the band and was replaced by Anthony Paine, of High Pass Filter, who played guitar on the band's final album, Managing Good Looks. This album was released on W.Minc Productions, run by Graham Lee and Steve Miller. Two tracks featured Rebecca Barnard on backing vocals. Snout played extensively on the live circuit in Australia, leaving Melbourne regularly to tour in their own right and with other prominent names of the era. They also played festivals such as The Big Day Out, Falls Festival, Sunny Sedgewick, Livid and Meredith Music Festival. Snout played their final gig in November 2002, in Melbourne at the Rob Roy Hotel. During the 2010 Australian Federal election campaign, Australian Greens candidate Adam Bandt, professed that "I am a fan of jangle-pop bands like Bidston Moss, Underground Lovers, Ross McLennan and Snout,"
Award nominations and recognition
In 1996, the song "Cromagnonman" was voted No. 89 in Triple J radio's Hottest 100 chart. In 1997, The New Pop Dialogue was nominated for an Australian Record Industry Association Award in the Best Pop Release category, won that year by Savage Garden's single To the Moon and Back. The following year, Circle High and Wide was nominated for an ARIA Award in the same category, eventually won by Natalie Imbruglia'sLeft of the Middle.
Side Projects
During the band's existence, McCartney worked on the side projects The Grapes and as a member of Dan Brodie & the Broken Arrows. Meanwhile, Paine could be found playing with The Hired Guns. McLennan also teamed up with his brother Link, front man of The Meanies to form the lo-fi duo, Meuscram.
Post break-up
After the demise of the band, Ross McLennan, released material as a solo artist. Notably, his album Sympathy for the New World was nominated for the 2008 Australian Music Prize. Greg Ng released the hip-hop inspired, Straight Out of M-Town under the name DCP. Ewan McCartney went on to drum with The Bakelite Age. Meanwhile, Paine can be found building and repairing guitars under the name Harvester Guitars as well as continuing to be involved with bands. Notably, Black Cab who were nominated for the Australian Music Prize in 2009. Rob Wolf moved to Queensland and works for John Deere tractors. Hugh Williams lives in California in the United States and is a vice president at Google.
