Members

Etienne Mamo – (guitar/vox)
Shen Poh – (guitar/vox)
Chris Raphael – (bass/vox)
Paul Gatt – (drums/vox)

Biography

The story begins in a Melbourne nursing home through a chance meeting by two musicians and music lovers Etienne Mamo and Scott MacArthur. Scott was performing as part of the Salvation Army Band to the elderly residents. Etienne was impressed with Scott’s rendition of Bowies classic “Rebel, Rebel” and the two bonded over Bowie, The Clash, Buzzcocks, Ratcat and early 70’s punk bands. They spent the next year writing songs and scouting for future band members Paul Gatt on drums, Etienne’s brother Chris Raphel on bass and more recently Shen Poh who was to replace Scott.

“A young mans death” was recorded and produced in Melbourne and later mixed in New York and Melbourne. The album leaps out with blazing guitars, gritty bass lines and a plethora of vocal harmonies and hooks. While many of their songs are danceable and melody driven, The New Black can just as easily deliver songs with thoughtful lyrics and musical prowess. They have a natural rock ‘n’ roll swagger and swap vocal duties and delivering songs that simply demand your attention.

“Away” from the EP “Your heart, my sleeve” was added straight to Triple J rotation and selected for Triple J’s Home and Hosed 2006 CD. The Ep also got Single of the week in Rave Magazine and great acclaim and reception at other radio and national media. They were also Top 5 finalists in the Music Oz Awards 2007 for artist of the year. “Away” has just recently begun to get airplay on L.A’s famous radio station KROQ. Thanks to famous DJ Rodney (Rodney on the ROQ) who has championed many new artists to stellar careers!

They continue to score gigs and support spots with hot bands such as US legends Urge Overkill, The Grates, Red Riders, Children Collide, Diamond Nights(US), Bit by bats, Something with numbers, The Pictures, 67 Special, The Exploders, British India, The Fauves and 78 Saab amongst others. The New Black have toured and performed endlessly across the east coast, increasing their national profile and to rave review.

“Melbourne’s catchiest powerpop 4 piece possibly ever” Single of the week, Rave Magazine.

“The New Black are reminding me of Ratcat because of their shared inspiration from one of pop-punks Greatest Treasures, the Buzzocks. It’s there in their vocal stylings and melodic buzzsaw guitars and tunes. But The New Black definitely have their own thing going on! “ Nic Dalton (lemonheads/half a cow)

“The New Black were fantastic. The singers combined brilliantly on harmonies. Hook-laden songs, I was in heaven. Check these guys out. Brilliant.” Inpress

Hailing from Melbourne’s inner city, The New Black spent most of 2007 recording their upcoming debut album “A young man’s death” which was released August 2008. The first single off the album “Show me love” has been added to Triple J, is currently a freedownload on Triple J’s website and achieved single of the week in Rave magazine. In early 2008 they also got selected and featured as a myspace upcoming act, which saw 1000’s of hits on their myspace page. They have been working with renowned producer Andy Baldwin (67 Special, Cat Empire, Powderfinger) and then with Matt Maddock (Magic Dirt, Screamfeeder, Something for Kate).

Debut album “A young man’s death“ was released through Creative Vibes.

Reviews

HALF A COW

Nic Dalton (Lemonheads/ Half A Cow Records)

If, in a years’ time, The New Black aren’t making space on the toilet wall for yet another Gold Record or ugly-designed award and topping the Mainstream charts, then I’ll eat my stripy black & black teeshirt. Oh, hang on…the charts. I forgot, there’s no way to infiltrate the girl-pop and booty-videoin’ r and b. Not like back in Ratcat’s chart-topping days in the early 90s when that was possible. I suppose The New Black are reminding me of Ratcat (and Simon Day’s next band 51 Monday) because of their shared inspiration from one of pop-punk’s Greatest Treasures, the Buzzcocks. It’s there in the vocal stylings and the melodic buzzsaw guitars and tunes. But the New Black definitely have their own thing going on. The lyrics are cool, too. “I think I’ve had too much wine, oh no, I’m falling in love” they sing in ‘Karenins Smile’.

If these guys aren’t snapped up by a chequebook-wielding Major or insightful, enthusiastic label then I’ll be very surprised. One word of advice – don’t get bogged down in contractual bullshit, recording demos for the demos to demo the album demos – despite being timeless powerpop, this music needs to be heard now! Great example of a band bio, too. – ND

Jager Uprising @ The Evelyn

The New Black, Basil, The Exploders

The New Black look the goods, have the songs and the attitude. Great lyrics. A sample from Kerenin’s Smile. “I’ve fallen in love, I think I’ve had too much wine”. The crowd were dancing again, singing along. The room was almost full by this stage, creating a great atmosphere, which caused the band to ramp up the show. Playing guitar on the floor, jumping off the stage into the audience, that kind of thing. The band sound like the Only Ones or the Vapours. Heroes of 1979. Pure pop for now people. The guys have a vision and have stuck to it. They have a stable lineup, some great new songs and they make me go to the front to sing along. I’m too old/embarrassed to dance, but my mind is bopping along. If Franz Ferdinand can be darlings of the new, then The New Black can stand on the same platform.

The Greyhound

Review by Neil Wedd

I love The New Black. They play music from my favorite period in time. Very 1979. Think The Only Ones. The Vapors, although I hope that is not derogatory. They would be on Countdown. The phrase “Pure pop for now people” could be made for them. They look the part with the body shirts and suits, the pointy shoes and the haircuts. The angular poses that they must have studied from old Countdown episodes. Add to that twin vocals and you have a recipe for success. Great pop songs, but in my mind they played all the hits first not at the end of the show.

But hey all the songs blew my mind. Flashbacks aplenty.

And as Molly would say, do yourself a favour. I know that plenty of managers read the reviews and my advice would be check out this band. They have a sound that could appeal to radio and is definitely a now sound.

www.fasterlouder.com.au

Reported by: Elissa

The New Black from Melbourne are a new player in the blossoming Melbourne sound arena with their new songs Karenin’s Smile and All The Way. Detroit indie-pop done the Melbourne way and done well by The New Black.

Karenin’s Smile features a snappy backbeat and strong guitar melodies that sets off the sweetly gruff voice of the main singer. It has an innocent sound to it, making it easy listening and it has a sense of fun about it.

All The Way is the second track and it is a bit racier, with a heavier drum sound and more intensity, helping to show a bit of range for a two song release. The vocals sound completely different from the first track and has a full, rich sound. There are some interesting contrasts between loud and soft, quick and slow built into the song that makes it interesting to listen to from start to finish.

Two great songs and a certainly enough to whet the appetite for a full length release!

Beat Magazine

Terminus Hotel – The New Black, Baby 8

We don’t know how lucky we are in Melbourne. How many places are there in the world where you can walk into a small pub and see an unsigned band put on a performance worthy of any stage and a cache of instantly-catchy songs that leave you wanting more?

Saturday night at the Terminus was such a night with headliner The New Black turning on a performance that was electrifying without resorting to the all-too-familiar antics and forced posturing of the ‘rock-revival’ age. The New Black sing and play with refreshing enthusiasm and confidence that borders on arrogance. They play like they’re sitting on a set of winners. But who could blame them? With the two singers harmonising over precisely arranged chord progressions and catchy riffs, at times they evoked the slick rock of Urge Overkill dirtied up with a touch of melodic punk, a la the Buzzcocks. Kinda like the Strokes without the art school strut.

All girl band Baby-8 warmed up the stage with a set that was thankfully more about creating some damn fine rockin’ music than the often fetishised novelty of chicks on stage, although they did look good!

With all the hype about bands today, how do you decide who and what to believe? The New Black sing and play with a desperation rarely seen today.

It’s early days yet, but The New Black could well be the must-see band.

Ted End