HTRK

HTRK
HTRK, 1 June 2007. Sean Stewart, Jonnine Standish, Nigel Yang
Background information
Also known as	Hate Rock Trio
Origin	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Electronica, experimental rock, Indie rock
Years active	2003 (2003)–Present
Labels	Fire Records (2007) Blast First Petite (2008 – present) Ghostly International (2011 – present)
Members	Jonnine Standish Nigel Yang
Past members	Sean Stewart (died 18 March 2010)

HTRK (formerly Hate Rock Trio) is an Australian band formed in 2003.

Originating in Melbourne, Australia and based in London, England since 2007, HTRK (pronounced Hate Rock) started playing in November 2003 when guitarist Nigel Yang and bassist Sean Stewart invited vocalist Jonnine Standish to create music inspired by Lynchian imagery, protopunk and post-industrial ideas. Using a very slow 808 drum machine, minimal bass grooves and highly textured noise, their attitude clashed with the "rock and roll" status quo in Australia. HTRK’s first release was the Nostalgia EP in 2004, originally intended as a demo but later self-released in a limited 500-disc run.

Their live shows soon caught the attention of underground icon Rowland S. Howard and popular Australian producer Lindsay Gravina, who invited them to record their debut album at Gravina's Birdland Studios. Titled Marry Me Tonight and considered something of a pop effort by the band, the album was held in limbo for several years due to a protracted rights dispute. In August 2005, the band performed as a support act for Howard at the premiere party for Scott Crary's film, Kill Your Idols, in Melbourne.

In 2006, a few months after recording Marry Me Tonight, the trio relocated to Berlin, toured with fellow expatriates Devastations and played their first UK gig at the 20jazzfunkgreats club in Brighton. Upon witnessing a show at the Brixton Windmill, UK label Fire Records signed HTRK to give Nostalgia a wider international release. A 27-date European tour supporting Liars and a performance at Glasgow's Optimo followed in 2007.