Super Massive
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | INDIE
Music
Press
Super Massive EP (Independent/MGM)
An electro rock band that doesn't fully rely on sexual topics? Yeah, I'm surprised too.
Seriously, any band that can namedrop Australia without coming off as an amateurish hick gets a giant tick in my book. Because when I think about it, I cringe every time I hear an Australian sing about Fremantle, Terrigal or Wooloongabba. Unless its Redgum.
So is Super Massive the next Redgum? No. However, they have a swag of catchy beats and a vocalist who really knows how to use her voice. These four tracks on offer are hip-swinging and sexy without giving you the feeling that Seany B is lurking behind the recording desk, bopping his head and saying This song's designed to make you cream", because, well, you know, he gets girls at nightclubs.
Tracks such as Fists In My Pocket and Ain't Easy show that Super Massive have enough credibility and talent to stand tall above the pill fiends and mixmasters in the electro world.
Lindsey Cuthbertson - Rave Magazine
Super Massive EP (Independent/MGM)
An electro rock band that doesn't fully rely on sexual topics? Yeah, I'm surprised too.
Seriously, any band that can namedrop Australia without coming off as an amateurish hick gets a giant tick in my book. Because when I think about it, I cringe every time I hear an Australian sing about Fremantle, Terrigal or Wooloongabba. Unless its Redgum.
So is Super Massive the next Redgum? No. However, they have a swag of catchy beats and a vocalist who really knows how to use her voice. These four tracks on offer are hip-swinging and sexy without giving you the feeling that Seany B is lurking behind the recording desk, bopping his head and saying This song's designed to make you cream", because, well, you know, he gets girls at nightclubs.
Tracks such as Fists In My Pocket and Ain't Easy show that Super Massive have enough credibility and talent to stand tall above the pill fiends and mixmasters in the electro world.
Lindsey Cuthbertson - Rave Magazine
..The result is impressive, featuring a diverse range of sounds, melding rock and pop instrumentation with electro beats and Malina's vocals. In fact, the transition between the two styles of music and the blends created are quite seamless and make this EP a pleasure to listen (and groove) to.
Eva Roberts - Australian Musician Magazine
..The result is impressive, featuring a diverse range of sounds, melding rock and pop instrumentation with electro beats and Malina's vocals. In fact, the transition between the two styles of music and the blends created are quite seamless and make this EP a pleasure to listen (and groove) to.
Eva Roberts - Australian Musician Magazine
Super Massive
Super Massive EP (MGM)
While his Machine Gun Fellatio bandmate Pinky Beecroft turns to more mellifluous means of satisfying his muse, drummer Bryan Ferrysexual (aka Glenn Abbott) sticks to mining the sexy pop sounds in his post-MGF act Super Massive. Frontwoman Malina Hamilton-Smith sighs and moans like Kylie's porno double on the come hither Late At Night, while squelching funk and a touch of Harold Faltermeyer's minimalist synths and electronic drums complement Abbott's solid beats throughout the EP. - Rip It Up Magazine
Super Massive
Super Massive EP (MGM)
While his Machine Gun Fellatio bandmate Pinky Beecroft turns to more mellifluous means of satisfying his muse, drummer Bryan Ferrysexual (aka Glenn Abbott) sticks to mining the sexy pop sounds in his post-MGF act Super Massive. Frontwoman Malina Hamilton-Smith sighs and moans like Kylie's porno double on the come hither Late At Night, while squelching funk and a touch of Harold Faltermeyer's minimalist synths and electronic drums complement Abbott's solid beats throughout the EP. - Rip It Up Magazine
Q MUSIC BIG SOUND SHOWCASE
FORTITUDE VALLEY MUSIC PRECINCT: 08.09.09 & 09.09.09
"Sydney four-piece dance rockers Super Massive back rhythm with wah guitar, while singer Malina bounces, shimmies and stomps through the poppy vocals of opener ‘It Ain’t Easy’ at the Alhambra Lounge. Projecting come-hither-magnetism Malina later sheds her safari suit for the sequined bodysuit interpretive dance of ‘Get Me Out Of My Head’ while the band groove and soar among dance samples. The band close memorably with the rhythmic breakdown of ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ leaving the audience on a high." - Time Off Magazine
SUPER MASSIVE
Super Massive
MGM
The songwriting co-project of vocalist Malina Hamilton-Smith and drummer/composer Glenn Abbott, best known for his previous work with Machine Gun Fellatio, Sydney band Super Massive balance their love of retro synths with an edged indie rock approach, and this self-titled debut four track EP arrives as the result of two and a half years of live gigs. It's certainly not hard to see why lead track Fists In My Pocket bagged them 2007's MusicOz 'Best Alternative Artist'; with its fusion of retro-exotica synths and crashing live drums, it comes across somewhere between Stereolab and Sneaky Sound System. Elsewhere, Late At Night and the mod-rock riff laden All The Things I've Done see Super Massive pushing the rock energy and blaring electronics to the forefront, with suitably infectious results. An impressive debut offering from a band that sound like they'd really be worth checking out live.
By Evilchris 21/7/08 - 3D World Magazine
SUPER MASSIVE
Fists In My Pocket
(MGM)
Impact date: May 26
The song-writing co-project of Malina Hamilton-Smith and Glenn Abbott, best known for his work with Machine Gun Fellatio, dance/rock outfit Super Massive hit radio this week with the lead single off their four-track self-titled EP, Fists In My Pocket. The track's stiff, military groove, layered synths and evocative vocals work to blend dance and rock into a provocative sound that's more infectious than the plague. Fists In My Pocket is the song that won Super Massive the MusicOz Best Alternative Artist Award in 2007, and with the band playing at the upcoming Groovin' The Moo festival, as well as touring in July and August, the track is bound to further propel them down the road to stardom. Night plays on CHR for sure. - The Music Network
Super Massive EP Launch at Candy's Apartment - 11th July 2008
At the stroke of ten, feature artistes Super Massive appeared onstage through a literally breathtaking cloud of smoke. This band have quickly gathered a committed cult following, tonight really stepping up to the plate, arousing crowd members with their sexy brand of grimy, punchy pop rock.
I found it hard categorising this band because they are just so many things at once. Trashy yet classy, retro yet refreshing, raunchy yet innocent. What can be certain is their music takes on a different identity onstage – their MySpace boasting a haunting ‘80s style space disco, while their live set is far more rocky, tracks like Fists picking up more attitude, losing their synthesised pop sound.
The real spectacle on the night, however, was lead singer Malina, who can only be described as the lovechild of Peaches and Kylie. Making crowd members blush with sultry movements and cheeky lyrics, this man-eater strutted across stage, the audience putty in her hands. At one point though, she donned a ‘Christmas-light jacket’, what I imagine Daft Punk would look like had their show been powered by AA batteries. Disregarding this minor faux pas, she was flawless.
Special mention must be made to the groups’ bassist adding a funk tinge with impressive breaks and eloquent solos. To hell with Justin, it’s these guys who are REALLY bringing sexy back!
By Dominick Scilorres - 3D World Magazine
SUPER MASSIVE
Super Massive
MGM
Resurrecting all the best bits of '80s electro-pop, from Blondie through Nile Rodgers with a dash of Gary Glitter and Adam Ant with a liberal dose of Siouxsie Sue and Lene Lovich and into Massive Attack, Sydneysiders Super Massive are gloriously unreconstructed and joyous as they pump their way through four big slices of dance-floor directed groove, powered as much by shattering shards of guitars and barraging drums as synths and programmed blips and pieces. Hamilton-Smith's voice could have been mixed a little further forward on Fists In My Pocket, but otherwise Molly would/will love them!
By Michael Smith - Drum Media
Super Massive
There are some great electronic sounds coming out of Australia at the moment. The Presets, The Scientists Of Modern Music and The Potbellies (well they live here) have made sure that the Australian electronic scene is in healthy state; and now along comes Super Massive a group that threatens to build a bridge between the electronic and rock world with a self-titled EP that is one of the best local short plays to be released in Australia in 2008. If you are a fan of groups such as New Young Pony Club than you will fall in love with tracks like 'Fists In My Pocket' straight away. While the best way to describe the sound is 80s-driven electronica there are sounds exploding from this track that have never been heard before. Super Massive must be congratulated for deviating off the well-travelled path and trying something different. 'Late At Night' is just the right mix of rock and electronica, and ends up sounding like a warped remix of a Yeah Yeah Yeah's track. The EP just gets better from there. 'All The Things I've Done' is a terrific track that contains some psychotic guitar playing and finds lead singer Malina Hamilton-Smith sounding a lot like Shirley Manson. You could listen to this track one hundred times and still not listen to it enough. The rock theme continues on 'Ain't Easy' but mixes in just enough ethereal electronic sounds to make this a masterpiece. Super Massive are the next big thing coming out of Australia… jump aboard the band wagon before it's too late.
By Dave Griffiths - Mediasearch
"Check out the great new track by Super Massive..Get Me Out Of My Head. This is going to be a super massive hit.." Australian Internet Radio
"If nothing else, go (to a Super Massive live show) for Hamilton-Smith’s vocals: she is part of a growing group of vocalists who understand that truly great songs rely on so much more than auto-tuners and ProTools – they require a greater level of sensitivity to musical nuances and possibilities. If the infectious results of ‘Get Me Out Of My Head’ are any indication, Super Massive possess that sensitivity in spades." Time Off Magazine
"more guts than most of their contemporaries" 3D World Magazine - Various
"Check out the great new track by Super Massive..Get Me Out Of My Head. This is going to be a super massive hit.." Australian Internet Radio
"If nothing else, go (to a Super Massive live show) for Hamilton-Smith’s vocals: she is part of a growing group of vocalists who understand that truly great songs rely on so much more than auto-tuners and ProTools – they require a greater level of sensitivity to musical nuances and possibilities. If the infectious results of ‘Get Me Out Of My Head’ are any indication, Super Massive possess that sensitivity in spades." Time Off Magazine
"more guts than most of their contemporaries" 3D World Magazine - Various
Discography
- Get Me Out Of My Head (digital single)
- Super Massive EP, with lead single "Fists In My Pocket".
"Get Me Out Of My Head" second most played song on 4ZZZ Radio Brisbane week ending 15/5/10 - #2 on 4ZZZ Top 20 Airplay Chart
Videoplay on Asylum TV, Rage, SYN TV.
"Fists" was picked up by SMA and SBA for retail play in Australia and NZ and has been receiving airplay on community airwaves nationally around Australia, from 4ZZZ to FBi to 8CCC to Edge Radio to PBS to Spirit FM.
“Fists” shot to no.1 on the national Triple J Unearthed Dance Chart and remained in the Top 5 for two months, with the band championed by Triple J's Radio Funktrust DJs, selected as Triple J Unearthed Featured Artist and included in the Funkcast podcast. The video was also selected for the Triple J Unearthed Youtube video channel.
The song reached #1 on the SYN Radio (University radio) Chart in Melbourne.
It was voted a top track in Australian cafes nationally on Sounds Like Cafe Volume 20.
In May 09 "Fists" was featured on the Mystery Tour Radio Show on Radio Onda D'urta, which goes out to a dozen stations in Italy.
The video for “Fists” went to no.1 on the Channel 31 video chart, and has had play on Rage, Channel 31 and TVS, with repeat play on Scout TV and Songwriters Across Australia.
In the UK it received repeat play for nine months on music video shows V:MX Pop and V:X Taste on Tiscali TV, the UK's biggest pay TV syndicate. It has also been featured on NME’s website.
In the US, "Fists" was a Recommended Track for 3 weeks in April 09 on iRADIO LA's Indie 104 channel. The video is currently screening in US coffeehouses on the Independent Coffee Network.
A second track from the EP, "Late At Night" was Nokia Music Track Of The Week.
Photos
Bio
Super Massive is the collaboration of singer/writer Malina Hamilton-Smith and drummer/composer Glenn Abbott.
Together the duo make intense, exhilarating and sexy electro/alternative/pop music, driven by funky dance grooves and delivered with the lustiness of a rock band.
The band's sound lies somewhere between a blend of AC/DC or Led Zeppelin and Daft Punk or Basement Jaxx, with elements of Chic, Garbage, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Siouxsie Sioux, Florence & The Machine, Depeche Mode and Muse.
With bassist Dan Bruce joining them for live shows, Super Massive have toured Australia & Asia for three years, receiving rave reviews, hit predictions and hot ticket recommendations from metro/regional press eg Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday Telegraph, Launceston Examiner, Byron Shire Echo, Newcastle Herald.
The band most recently headlined an international rock concert on the iconic red sand dunes of Mui Ne in Vietnam to a crowd of ten thousand people as part of the celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of Hanoi.
Since mid 2011 they have been taking a break from touring to focus on writing and recording material for their debut album, due out in 2013.
Super Massive won a MusicOz Award (Australia's premier awards for unsigned and independent bands) for Best Alternative Artist in 2007 for their debut song “Fists In My Pocket”, whilst the song was still in demo form.
In May 2008 Super Massive released their debut EP through MGM and iTunes, with “Fists” its leading single.
The release has received rave reviews all round, with The Music Network giving "Fists" a Hit Pick prediction and Mediasearch predicting that Super Massive would be the next most important Australian export after The Presets (see Press).
The band was Unearthed as a Triple J Featured Artist, featuring on the Radio Funktrust Funkcast podcast, "Fists" went to #1 on the Triple J Unearthed Dance Chart remaining in the Top 5 for 2 months, and Triple J listeners have also given the song plenty of 5 star reviews on the band's Unearthed page. The song and video have received plenty of radio, tv and cafe play in Australia, NZ, the UK, US and Italy.
In 2010 a second single from the EP, "Late At Night", was Nokia Music Track Of The Week.
In 2009 Super Massive made their first tour to Vietnam, to headline Vietnam’s international music festival Sea Festival 2009, performing to over 10,000 people on the beach of Nha Trang, televised on Vietnamese TV.
Back home, Super Massive has performed main stage at the Australia Day music festival in The Rocks to a crowd of over 2,000 alongside Bertie Blackman, Ash Grunwald, King Tide, Dappled Cities and 70 other bands across five stages.
The band returned to The Rocks to perform for the Markets By Moonlight series.
In 2009 MX Magazine featured Super Massive on the cover as “one of Sydney’s best emerging electronic/dance/rock bands”; Time Off named them a band “On The Up” and Scout TV named them one of the Top 5 breakthrough Australian bands of 2009 alongside Art Vs Science and The Jezabels.
The band was selected to showcase at Big Sound 2009 in Brisbane, with the support of MusicNSW, performing at the Alhambra Lounge with Bertie Blackman.
In November 2009 Super Massive was invited by emerging new media artist Julia Burns to perform in and provide music for an interactive Twitter/video/sculpture installation artwork commissioned by Berkeley University Of California.
Follow up single "Get Me Out Of My Head" was released in 2010, to good reviews and repeat community radio and tv play. It went to #1 on the Australian Internet Radio Chart as well as the Hot 25 Chart of US internet radio IndieDial. The band was featured as Artist Of The Month - the first Australian band to ever do so.
In their early career, Super Massive were also a finalist in The JD Set and a Feature Artist in the Garage To V Festival Competition.
A self managed band, singer/manager Malina Hamilton-Smith attended John Butler's The Seed Management Workshop in 2008.
FESTIVALS/CONFERENCES:
- Headlined rock concert on the sand dunes at Mui Ne, Vietnam, as part of the first International Sailing Festival of Vietnam and 1000th Anniversary of Hanoi celebrations, March 2011.
- The Rocks Australia Day 2010, Sydney - main stage 4:15pm slot w/ Bertie Blackman, Ash Grunwald, King Tide, Dappled Cities & others
- Big Sound Live 2009, Brisbane, alongside Bertie Blackman, Washington, Yves Klein Blue
- Sea Festival 2009, Vietnam, alongside DJ Sophie Sugar (UK) and Speechwriters LLC (US)
- Surry Hills Festival 2008, Sydney, alongside The Bakery
- Glebe Street Fair 2007, Sydney
- Marrickville Road Festival 2007, Sydney, alongside Belles Will Ring, Unkle Ho, The Seabellies, The Dardanelles and Deborah Conway.
- Youth charity The Oaktree Foundation's national "Global Night Shift" Concert to End Child Slavery - a 7 city simultaneous line-up with Evermore, Amy Meredith, The Hampdens, TZU.
- Scheduled to appear at Peat's Ridge
Links
