Totally Unicorn
{{Short description|Australian metal band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Totally Unicorn
| image =
| caption =
| alias =
| origin = Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| genre = Metalcore, mathcore, post-hardcore
| years_active = 2010–present
| associated_acts = Hospital the Musical, Tanned Christ, Broken Season, Snakes Get Bad Press, Ohana, We Lost the Sea, Robotosaurus
| website = {{URL|totallyunicornmusic.bandcamp.com}}
| current_members = Drew Gardner
Aaron Streatfeild
Adam Myers
Dean Podmore
| past_members = Robert Mudge
Clancy Tucker
Tim McMahon
Michael Bennett
Kerim Erkin
Lee Nielson
}}
Totally Unicorn are an Australian metalcore band originally from Wollongong, New South Wales. Forming in 2010, the band are best known for their highly energetic and unpredictable live shows, which often feature partial or complete nudity, jumping off the stage or other raised platforms and interacting with individual audience members. The band's live reputation has brought them to several high-profile tours and support slots; including shows with Kvelertak, La Dispute, The Chariot, Frenzal Rhomb, Rosetta, Cancer Bats and Tonight Alive.
History
= 2010–2015: Early EPs =
Totally Unicorn were formed in 2010 following the split of the band Hospital the Musical, which featured vocalist Drew Gardner, original drummer Michael Bennett and original guitarist Clancy Tucker. The three were joined by bassist Robert Mudge, formerly of Thirroul band Ohana. An EP, Horse Hugger, was released on 3 December 2010.
March 2011 saw the departure of Mudge from the band, as he left to pursue a teaching career overseas. His final show with the band was opening for Frenzal Rhomb in the band's hometown of Wollongong. Mudge was then replaced by Tim McMahon. The band ended 2011 with a tour featuring Sydney band Gay Paris and Adelaide band God God Dammit Dammit. The three bands contributed two new tracks apiece to a three-way split EP entitled Totally Gay Dammit.
In May 2012, the band went on a national Australian tour as the opening act for Tonight Alive. The band were originally going to be joined by The Dangerous Summer,{{cite web|url=http://amhnetwork.com/tonight-alive-tour-with-the-dangerous-summer-and-totally-unicorn/ |title=AMH Network – Tonight Alive Tour with The Dangerous Summer and Totally Unicorn|publisher=Alternative Music Hub|date=6 March 2012|accessdate=21 October 2014}} but they were replaced by UK band Young Guns.{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2012/05/11/tonight-alive-tour-drama/ |title=Tonight Alive Tour Drama – theMusic.com.au|author=Scott Fitzsimons|publisher=theMusic.com.au|date=11 May 2012|accessdate=21 October 2014}}
August 2012 saw the band announce the release of their first vinyl release, a penis-shaped record entitled 7 Inches which featured two new songs.{{cite web|url=http://killyourstereo.com/news/989486/totally-unicorn-announce-new-7-inch |title=Totally Unicorn announce new 7-inch|author=Jordan Nash|publisher=Killyourstereo|date=6 August 2012|accessdate=21 October 2014}} The initial release sold out within days and put the band at the top of the best-seller's list on Bandcamp's front page. The vinyl was later re-released as 9 Inches, which, as its title suggests, added two extra inches to the original vinyl.{{cn|date=September 2020}}
In October 2012, guitarist Clancy Tucker announced via Facebook that he was leaving the band to relocate to Alice Springs and become a nurse.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/totallyunicorn/posts/10151203035224914 |publisher=Facebook|title=Facebook – Yo! So I've gone and blown it...|author=Clancy Tucker|date=17 October 2012|accessdate=21 October 2012}} His final show with the band was in Fairy Meadow in December 2012, opening for American punk rock band Pour Habit. It was then announced that the band had enlisted two new guitarists to replace Tucker: Aaron Streatfeild (formerly of Snakes Get Bad Press) and Kerim Erkin.
The band were selected as one of the bands on the first Hits & Pits line-up, a national punk-rock-oriented touring festival. The band played alongside acts such as Mad Caddies, A Wilhelm Scream and The Flatliners.{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/34006/New-punk-festival-in-2013-Hits-and-Pits |title=New punk festival in 2013: Hits and Pits|author=Tom Mann|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|date=19 October 2012|accessdate=21 October 2014}}
In April 2013, it was announced that Totally Unicorn would be releasing a split seven-inch with Adelaide band Robotosaurus.{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/article-containers/news/totally-unicorn-and-robotosaurus-announce-split-single-tour|title=Totally Unicorn And Robotosaurus Announce Split Single Tour – theMusic.com.au|publisher=theMusic.com.au|date=16 April 2013|accessdate=21 October 2014}} The band would also head out on a co-headlining tour, which served as the final shows for Robotosaurus. The vinyl was released independently in July 2013.
The band opened for Norwegian metal band Kvelertak at their headlining show in Sydney in September 2013{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2013/09/13/support-acts-named-for-upcoming-kvelertak-tour/ |title=Supports Named For Upcoming Kvelertak Tour – theMusic.com.au|publisher=theMusic.com.au|date=13 September 2013|accessdate=21 October 2014}} before heading out on tour with UK band Rolo Tomassi for the first half of an extensive national tour.{{cite web|url=http://monolithmonolith.com/news/rolo-tomassi-uk-australian-tour-2013-w-totally-unicorn-stockades/ |title=Rolo Tomassi (UK) Australian Tour 2013 w/Totally Unicorn & Stockades – Monolith|publisher=Monolith|date=12 June 2013|accessdate=21 October 2014}}
= 2015–2019: ''Dream Life'' & ''Sorry'' =
It was announced in February 2015 that the band would be opening for Norma Jean on the Sydney leg of their Australian tour.{{cite web |title=Supports Announced For NORMA JEAN April Tour |url=http://restassuredzine.com/tours/3864-supports-announced-for-norma-jean-april-tour |website=Rest Assured Zine |accessdate=27 October 2018}} In September 2015, the band announced the departure of bassist Tim McMahon. He was replaced by Lee Nielson, another former member of Snakes Get Bad Press.
In 2015, the band announced their signing to independent Wollongong label Farmer & The Owl. With the signing came the announcement of their first release under the label – a 7-inch vinyl with two brand-new songs, released as a Record Store Day exclusive. The 7-inch, entitled sometimes i sit and drink, and sometimes i just drink, was named in tribute to Courtney Barnett's 2015 album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit. The artwork for the 7-inch also parodied Barnett's hand-drawn album cover.
In June 2016, Totally Unicorn announced the completion and imminent release of their debut album. Entitled Dream Life, the album was released on 29 July. The album features guest vocals from Heavy Heavy Low Low's Rob Smith and High Tension's Karina Utomo.
In February 2017, drummer Michael Bennett announced his imminent departure from the band following a handful of remaining shows.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/totallyunicorn/posts/10155079894819914|title=To everyone that knows us...|author=Michael Bennett|date=15 February 2017|accessdate=28 March 2017}} His last came at Sydney's Black Wire Records on 26 March 2017. Bennett was replaced by former Robotosaurus drummer Adam Myers.
In March 2017, it was announced that the band would be going on tour nationally with Frenzal Rhomb.{{cite web|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/frenzal-rhomb-announce-2017-national-tour-new-album-hi-vis-high-tea/ |title=Frenzal Rhomb Announce 2017 National Tour For New Album 'Hi-Vis High Tea'|author=Tom Williams|publisher=Music Feeds|date=27 March 2017|accessdate=28 March 2017}} The band also played with The Dillinger Escape Plan in October, playing their second-last Sydney show on their final Australian tour.{{cite web |title=Dillinger Escape Plan + Totally Unicorn @ Bald Faced Stag 18.10.17 |url=http://fromthepit.com.au/dillinger-escape-plan-totally-unicorn-bald-faced-stag-18-10-17/ |website=From The Pit |date=20 October 2017 |accessdate=27 October 2018}} In December 2017, Erkin announced that he would be leaving the band. He was not replaced, converting the band back into a quartet.
In October 2018, the band released a new single, "Grub."{{cite web |last1=Rizk |first1=Anwar |title=Totally Unicorn reveal their new single 'Grub' |url=http://www.metalobsession.net/2018/10/18/totally-unicorn-reveal-their-new-single-grub/ |website=Metal Obsession |date=18 October 2018 |accessdate=27 October 2018}} This was followed by the release of "I'll Be Fine Now" in February 2019,{{cite web |last1=Sievers |first1=Alex |title=Totally Unicorn embrace numbness with 'I'll Be Fine Now' |url=https://killyourstereo.com/news/1106026/totally-unicorn-embrace-numbness-with-%E2%80%98i%E2%80%99ll-be-fine-now%E2%80%99/ |website=KillYourStereo |accessdate=10 October 2019}} and the release of their second studio album Sorry in April 2019.{{cite web |last1=Levin |first1=Darren |title=Album Walkthrough: Totally Unicorn 'Sorry' |url=https://lnwy.co/read/album-walkthrough-totally-unicorn-sorry/ |website=LNWY.co |publisher=Bolster Co. |accessdate=10 October 2019}} In October 2019, Nielson played his final show with the band at the Yours & Owls Festival in Wollongong. He was replaced by Dean Podmore, formerly of Gay Paris and Surprise Wasp, prior to the band's national tour supporting Cancer Bats.{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Alex |title=Cancer Bats Announce 2019 Australian Tour With Totally Unicorn |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/cancer-bats-announce-2019-australian-tour-with-totally-unicorn/ |website=Music Feeds |publisher=Evolve Media |access-date=19 February 2022}}
= 2020–present: ''High Spirits//Low Life'' =
The band's activity was minimised in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They played two socially-distanced sets in one night at Sydney venue Crowbar in August 2020,{{cite web |title=SOLD OUT! An intimate night with Totally Unicorn - Sydney 18+ |url=https://au.datescloud.com/sold-out-an-intimate-night-with-totally-unicorn-sydney-18-crowbar-sydney-2010416-303008837.html |website=dates.cloud |access-date=19 February 2022}} where actor Richard Karn was hired from Cameo to be the show's "safety supervisor" via a video message.
In January 2021, the band released the stand-alone single "Like".{{cite web |title=TOTALLY UNICORN RETURN WITH AFFIRMING NEW SINGLE & VIDEO, ‘LIKE’ |url=https://blackofhearts.com.au/totally-unicorn-return-with-affirming-new-single-video-like/ |website=Black of Hearts |access-date=19 February 2022}} This was followed by a string of singles throughout the rest of the year: "Trust Fund Glee",{{cite web |last1=Doria |first1=Matt |title=Totally Unicorn slam the ‘Trust Fund Glee’ on mosh-ready new single |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/totally-unicorn-slam-the-trust-fund-glee-on-mosh-ready-new-single-3029076 |website=NME Australia |publisher=BandLab Technologies |access-date=19 February 2022}} "Yeah, Coach"{{cite web |last1=May |first1=Tamara |title=Totally Unicorn Up The Intensity with ‘Yeah, Coach’ |url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2021/10/07/totally-unicorn-up-the-intensity-with-yeah-coach/ |website=Wall of Sound |access-date=19 February 2022}} and "Fri(ends)".{{cite web |title=TOTALLY UNICORN Find Friends In Strange Places With New Track |url=https://heavymag.com.au/totally-unicorn-find-friends-in-strange-places-with-new-track/ |website=Heavy Mag |access-date=19 February 2022}} "Trust Fund Glee" featured guest vocals from Dan Cunningham of Sydney punk band ARSE, while "Fr(iends)" featured guest vocals from Jason Whalley of Frenzal Rhomb.
In December 2021, the band announced their third studio album High Spirits//Low Life,{{cite web |title=Totally Unicorn Announce Third Album & Accompanying Tour |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/totally-unicorn-announce-new-album-tour-high-spirits-low-life/UPdIQkVER0Y/09-12-21 |website=theMusic.com.au |publisher=SCG Media |access-date=19 February 2022}} which was released on 18 February 2022.
In other media
- In 2012, members of the band were featured in an episode of Channel Seven's Border Security: Australia's Front Line as Rob Smith from the band Heavy Heavy Low Low attempted to get into the country to tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJNBsLb90jA |title=Rob From HeavyHeavyLowLow on Ch7's Border Security – YouTube|author=Mikey Hamer|date=5 March 2012|accessdate=21 October 2014}}
- In 2014, The band had a beetroot cake named after them in Same Same But Different, a recipe book by Australian chef Poh Ling Yeow; at the time, she was the sister-in-law of former drummer Bennett.{{cite web|url=http://indaily.com.au/food-and-wine/2014/06/10/totally-unicorn-beetroot-cake/ |title=Totally Unicorn Beetroot Cake >> InDaily Adelaide News|publisher=InDailey|author=Poh Ling Yeow|date=10 June 2014|accessdate=21 October 2014}}
- In August 2014, Brisbane band Violent Soho selected the band's video for "Cool Dads with Cool Sons" for their guest programming of the Australian music video show rage.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rage/archive/s4072794.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|title= r a g e – Saturday, August 23, 2014|date=22 August 2014|accessdate=21 October 2014}} Totally Unicorn had opened for the band at one of their headlining shows in Sydney the month prior.
Members
= Current members =
- Drew Gardner – lead vocals (2010–present)
- Aaron Streatfeild – guitar (2012–present), backing vocals (2019–present)
- Adam Myers – drums (2017–present)
- Dean Podmore – bass, backing vocals (2019–present)
= Former members =
- Robert Mudge – bass (2010–2011)
- Clancy Tucker – guitar (2010–2012)
- Tim McMahon – bass (2011–2015)
- Michael Bennett – drums (2010–2017)
- Kerim Erkin – guitar (2012–2017)
- Lee Nielson – bass (2015–2019)
= Live substitutes =
- Mark Owen – guitar (2011)
- Mark Davies – drums (2020)
= Timeline =
{{#tag:timeline|
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ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2010
ScaleMinor = increment:2 start:2010
Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
id:BVocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:EP value:gray(0.5) legend:Extended_play
id:Bars value:gray(0.95)
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at:03/12/2010
at:01/11/2011
at:01/10/2012
at:01/02/2013
at:01/04/2015
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color:studio
at:29/07/2016
at:12/04/2019
at:18/02/2022
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bar:Drew text:"Drew Gardner"
bar:Clancy text:"Clancy Tucker"
bar:Aaron text:"Aaron Streatfield"
bar:Kerim text:"Kerim Erkin"
bar:Robert text:"Robert Mudge"
bar:Tim text:"Tim McMahon"
bar:Lee text:"Lee Nielson"
bar:Dean text:"Dean Podmore"
bar:Mike text:"Mike Bennett"
bar:Myers text:"Adam Myers"
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bar:Drew from:start till:end color:Vocals
bar:Clancy from:start till:13/12/2012 color:guitar
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bar:Aaron from:01/01/2019 till:end color:BVocals width:3
bar:Kerim from:13/12/2012 till:04/12/2017 color:guitar
bar:Robert from:start till:10/03/2011 color:bass
bar:Tim from:10/03/2011 till:01/09/2015 color:bass
bar:Lee from:01/09/2015 till:05/10/2019 color:bass
bar:Dean from:05/10/2019 till:end color:bass
bar:Dean from:05/10/2019 till:end color:bvocals width:3
bar:Mike from:start till:26/03/2017 color:drums
bar:Myers from:26/03/2017 till:end color:drums
}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! Title ! EPs details |
| scope="row"| Horse Hugger
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Totally Gay Dammit (with Gay Paris and God God Dammit Dammit) |
|
| scope="row"| 7 Inches
|
|
| scope="row"| 9 Inches
|
|
| scope="row"| Together Alone (with Robotosaurus) |
|
| scope="row"| sometimes i sit and drink, and sometimes i just drink
|
|
= Singles =
Awards and nominations
= National Live Music Awards =
The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.
{{awards table}}
|-
| National Live Music Awards of 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.nlmas.com.au/nominees-2016/|title=Nominees 2016|website=NLMA|date=2016|accessdate=5 September 2020}}
| Themselves
| Live Hard Rock Act of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| National Live Music Awards of 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.nlmas.com.au/2017/10/09/national-live-music-awards-reveals-2017-nominees-and-venues/|title=NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees|website=NLMA|date=9 October 2017|accessdate=5 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nlmas.com.au/winners/|title=Winners 2017|website=NLMA|date=December 2016|accessdate=5 September 2020}}
| Themselves
| Live Hard Rock Act of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}