The Band
Purplene were an indie rock band whose life began in the industrial NSW city of Newcastle in 1996, culminating in the release the 2004 Purplene LP, then disbanding in the spring of 2005 as one of Sydney's most respected rock groups.
Recorded in Chicago in 2003 with Steve Albini, Purplene earned high critical praise both locally and internationally.
'The Australian' newspaper said of the LP, "Just when I thought Australian guitar music seemed poised to choke on its own cliche-ridden tail, Purplene release their second album," awarding it 4.5 stars out of 5.
Belgian magazine 'Derives' made it their feature release, and 'Rolling Stone' called the album, "The work of a band that's in love with the art of crafting the perfect song...truly impressive."
Their angular guitar music embraced space as often as it did intensity, and their infrequent live performances and recording releases invited listeners to join them on a diverse journey of disjointed rhythms, richly layered melodies and intelligent, often haunting lyrical themes.
Complete discography
SMH Days EP (1998 Threetrack/MGM - engineer Steve Foster)
All & Sundry EP (2000 Threetrack - engineer Steve Foster)
Split 7" with The Rebel Astronauts (2001 Steady Cam - engineer Emma Hoy)
Ruining It For Everybody LP (2001 Quietly Suburban - engineer Steve Foster)
Songs From The Marketplace EP (2003 Quietly Suburban - engineer Steve Foster)
Swords Down EP (2004 Spunk - engineer Steve Albini)
Purplene LP (2004 Spunk - engineer Steve Albini)
Dead Letter Offers (exclusive track on Mess + Noise issue #3 CD (2005 - engineer Steve Albini) Members
Matt Blackman (voice and guitar)
Adam Jesson (bass)
Dave Ledlin (guitar, some singing)
Matt Rossetti (drums)
Rossetti replaced drummer Dave Hector in 2002. As of 2005, Blackman works on the new Charge Group project (having previously worked with Sydney instrumental group Ukiyo-e), while Jesson and Rossetti continue working with The Instant (previously Audiophile).
