The Proton Energy Pills
| The Proton Energy Pills | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Wollongong, Australia |
| Genres | Rock, Detroit, punk rock, Grunge |
| Years active | 1986-1990 |
| Labels | Waterfront Records Bang! Records |
| Website | Steel City Sound PEP |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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The Proton Energy Pills were an Australian punk rock band formed in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales in 1986. The band released 2 vinyl singles and a vinyl Ep in its time and is considered a very seminal and influential group as its members went on to play in many successful Australian bands over the next 25 years.
Australian Musicologist, Ian McFarlane writes that "The Proton Energy Pills comprised Dave Curley (vocals), Lenny Curley (guitar), Jay Curley (bass), Stewy Leadfinger Cunningham (guitar) and Richie Lewis (drums). Proton Energy Pills derived their name from American cartoon series Roger Ramjet (the proton energy pills gave Ramjet his extraordinary strength). The band played a form of heavy retro-grunge that drew on US bands like Blue Oyster Cult, MC5 and Mudhoney for inspiration. Local bands that the Pills aspired to included Radio Birdman, The Celibate Rifles and The New Christs. Sydney independent label Waterfront issued two Proton Energy Pills singles, `Survival'/`Symmetry' (September 1989) and `(Less than I) Spend'/`Strawberry Patch' (March 1990), and the mini-album Proton Energy Pills(September 1990)."
The band formed whilst most of its members were at school in Wollongong and learnt how to play at parties covering their favourite songs by bands like The Ramones, The Stooges, Flamin Groovies and Radio Birdman. Their first gig took place on 15 August 1987 at the Wollongong Ironworkers Club and the band became known for their long hair and super distorted sounds. Later the band would start to play in Sydney more regularly and would take on Steve Pavlovic as their manager and sign with Waterfront Records and release two influential 7" singles. The Proton Energy Pills supported for Dinosaur Jr on NSW and Victorian legs their first Australian tour in 1989 and J Mascis produced the A-side of the Protons 2nd single - a song called Less than I Spend. Both singles sold very well and made it to the top of the Sydney Independent Charts at the time. The band also scored the Australian tour support for US band Mudhoney in their first visit to Australia in early 1990. Proton Energy Pills also played with P.I.L., The Buzzcocks, Rollins Band and The Hoodoo Gurus and supported many of their local heroes including The Celibate Rifles, The Hitmen, Hard-ons and Lime Spiders.
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