The Drones

The Drones
Name	The Drones
Origin	Perth
Genres	Blues rock, punk rock, alternative rock
Years active	1997–present
Labels	ATP Recordings, Irene Records, Island Records, Ipecac Recordings
Associated acts	Gutterville Splendour Sixteen, The Frowning Clouds, The Shiny Brights

The Drones The Drones are an Australian rock band formed in Perth in 1997. Known for a raw fusion of blues rock, punk rock, and alternative rock, they gained prominence with critically acclaimed albums and intense live shows. The band's work intersects with figures and institutions across the Australian music scene, international festivals, and independent labels.

History

Formed by musicians active in the Perth scene alongside veterans from bands linked to Steve Albini-aligned production circles, the group released early recordings through independent labels and toured with acts connected to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Birthday Party, Rowland S. Howard, Beasts of Bourbon, and You Am I. After relocating to Melbourne for broader exposure, they recorded with producers who had worked with PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., The Jesus Lizard, and The Stooges. Breakthrough albums led to appearances at international events such as SXSW, Glastonbury Festival, End of the Road Festival, Big Day Out, and Primavera Sound. Through the 2000s and 2010s they released records on labels associated with artists like Mike Patton and Thurston Moore, and collaborated in studio or onstage with musicians from Nick Cave, Tim Rogers, Eddie Vedder, and Angus Young circles.

Musical style and influences

Their sound combines the raw intensity of The Stooges and The Birthday Party with the lyrical abrasion found in work by Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. Guitar work often references techniques popularized by J Mascis, Rowland S. Howard, Keith Richards, and Jimmy Page while rhythm sections draw lineage from John Bonham-influenced drumming and the propulsive bass of players like Peter Hook and Paul McCartney. Vocal delivery juxtaposes spoken-word cadences reminiscent of Nick Cave and Mark E. Smith with melodic phrasing akin to Morrissey and Eddie Vedder. Production aesthetics recall sessions helmed by Steve Albini, Glyn Johns, and Flood, favoring live takes and minimal overdubs. Lyrical themes invoke landscapes and sociopolitical references tied to places such as Western Australia, Melbourne, London, and New York City while touching on motifs common in works by Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, and Charles Bukowski-adjacent poetics.

Members

Current lineup includes a frontman noted for links to Melbourne music circles and collaborators who have performed with artists connected to The Go-Betweens, Paul Kelly, Cold Chisel, and Midnight Oil. Previous members have included musicians who later joined or worked with The Avalanches, The Saints, The Triffids, Killing Joke, and Interpol. Touring personnel have overlapped with artists from Grinderman, The Bad Seeds, The Dandy Warhols, and The War on Drugs. Session contributors feature instrumentalists who recorded with producers associated with Nick Launay, Daniel Lanois, and Rick Rubin.

Discography

Studio albums and notable releases span independent and international labels, including records that charted in Australia and attracted coverage in publications aligned with editors who also wrote about NME, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and The Guardian. Key albums were produced or mixed by engineers with credits alongside Sonic Youth, The Breeders, PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, and Queens of the Stone Age. Singles and EPs were issued on formats used by collectives like Sub Pop, Matador Records, Rough Trade, and Domino Recording Company; vinyl pressings circulated among communities connected to Fat Possum Records, Merge Records, and 4AD.

Live performances and tours

Notorious for high-energy sets, they toured extensively with bands from circuits that include The Black Keys, The White Stripes, Arcade Fire, The National, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Festival appearances placed them on bills alongside PJ Harvey, Morrissey, The Cure, Radiohead, and Beck. Their stage presence and touring history intersect with promoters and venues tied to Live Nation, Festival Republic, Splendour in the Grass, Meredith Music Festival, Roskilde Festival, and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Live recordings and bootlegs circulated in networks related to Daptone Records and independent tape-trading communities linked to Sub Pop and Touch and Go Records.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception drew comparisons to landmark figures such as Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Neil Young, and The Stooges in press outlets that also cover Spin, Mojo, and Uncut. They influenced Australian and international acts tied to scenes surrounding The Go-Betweens, Silverchair, Powderfinger, and newer bands associated with labels like ATP Recordings and Ipecac Recordings. Retrospectives have examined their impact on alternative rock narratives alongside movements represented by post-punk revival proponents and artists linked to indie rock histories curated by institutions such as The ARIA Music Awards and regional music halls in Western Australia and Victoria. Their catalog remains cited in discussions about raw production values championed by engineers like Steve Albini and record collectors connected to vinyl revival communities.

Category:Australian rock music groups