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Powderfinger formed in 1989 as a high school band, the original members of which were Ian Haug (Vocals, Guitar), John Collins (Bass) and Steven Bishop (Drums). The band began looking for another guitarist and recruited Bernard Fanning whom Haug met in his university economics class). Eventually, Haug passed the vocal duties onto him. Bishop later left the band, to be replaced with Jon Coghill.The final line-up was almost complete, but they decided to seek out another guitarist to replace Fanning. Darren Middleton, guitarist from the band 'Pirate', filled the position in 1992. Powderfinger initially performed covers of other artists, gradually developing their own material. After two independent EPs released in 1993, they were signed to Polydor and in 1994 released their first album, ''Parables for Wooden Ears'', which charted poorly and failed to launch the band. Following this, the band released several singles and EPs and launched a national tour, appearing in Livid and Homebake music festivalsIn September 1996, the band released the album ''Double Allergic'', which was a huge success, going " Australian double platinum" (selling over 70,000 copies in Australia), with two singles, "Pick You Up" and "DAF" receiving widespread radio airplay. "Double Allergic" debuts at no. 7 on the australian charts and remains in the top 10 for over 2 months.

Rise to prominence


In 1998 and 2000 the band released the albums ''Internationalist'', and ''Odyssey Number 5'' respectively. These albums propelled the band to a prominent position on the Australian music scene, both reaching #1 album, with Internationalist selling over 330,000 copies, over 5 times platinum domestically and reaching European and British audiences for the first time.Both albums featured mainly melodic rock, with vocals often compared to the band's declared inspiration, Neil Young. According to the band, The name Powderfinger is inspired by a Neil Young song of the same name. 2003's ''Vulture Street'' (named after the Brisbane street on which the city's cricket stadium exists) headed off in a more aggressive direction, though remaining ballad oriented and melodic in style. It debuted at #1 and has sold over 350,000 copies to date.Powderfinger have won many Australian pop music industry's awards, including ARIAs for their albums and singles. The tracks "These Days" and "My Happiness" were voted #1 in the Triple J Hottest 100 poll in 1999 and 2000 respectively. They are the only group to have topped the poll twice. In 2003 five Powderfinger tracks featured in the top 100, and three in the top ten. Most notably, in 2003 they won an ARIA for Best Band of 2003.Powderfinger have had some international success in the UK and Europe, but like many successful Australian acts have not captured the imagination of the United States.In 2004, they released 2 albums, a live album called ''These Days - Live In Concert'', and also a best of album, ''Fingerprints: Best Of 1994 - 2000''. Both of these reached #2 in the charts.In 2004 Fanning was also a guest vocalist on part two of supergroup The Wrights' cover of Stevie Wright's (lead singer of The Easybeats) "Evie" (now a trilogy). The first part was first performed at the 2004 ARIA awards. The supergroup features members of many other Australian rock bands.

2005 - The year of side projects

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1. ''Parables for Wooden Ears'' (Polydor 522570-2, 18 July 1994)100px
2. ''Double Allergic'' (Polydor 533153-2, 2 September 1996) AUS #4100px
3. ''Internationalist'' (Polydor 559201-2, 7 September 1998) AUS #1100px
4. ''Odyssey Number Five'' (Grudge/Universal 549092-2, 4 September 2000) AUS #1100px
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  • "Powderfinger" (Blue EP) (MDS FINGER1, 1st April 1993) — Take a Light/Sacrifice (Blackjack)/Freedom/If I Tried/Save Your Skin/Lighten My Load/It's No Crime

  • "Transfusion" (Polydor 859727-2, 1993) — Reap What You Sow/Change the Tide/Blind To Reason/Mama Harry/Rise Up

  • "Mr Kneebone" (Polydor 579679-2, 24th July 1995) — Swollen Tongue/Stitches/Drongo/My Urn/I'm Splittin' Terry

  • "Passenger" (Grudge/Universal 563939-2, 9th August 1999) — Passenger (Album Version)/These Days/Passenger (Live)/Pick You Up (Live)/Maxwells' Great Mistake/That Ol' Track

    DVDs



  • ''Sunsets'' DVD

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