Electric Mary

Electric Mary

Electric Mary is a hard rock and stoner rock group from Melbourne, Australia, active since 2003. The band forms around singer Rusty Brown and includes guitarist Pete Robinson, guitarist Brett Wood, bassist Alex Raunjak, drummer Paul “Spyda” Marrett, and Irwin Thomas, who is listed among its members.

Formation and style

The band takes its name from Mary Campbell, the manager Rusty Brown meets at Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Electric Mary’s sound is built around heavy guitar riffs, bass and drums, and it draws on classic rock influences including Deep Purple and David Bowie.

Releases

In 2004 the band releases its debut CD, Four Hands, which includes tracks such as “Busted”, “Crashdown (On Your Head)” and “Slave”. Its 2006 EP The Definition of Insanity includes “Let Me Out”, “Luv Me” and “One Foot In The Grave”. Between releases, Rusty Brown also distributes Demo(rama) CDs under the group’s “Spreading the Electric Luv” theme, with some of the same songs appearing on them.

Electric Mary later releases The Last Great Hope in 2014, followed by work based on the lost Hell Dorado tapes, which are mixed by The Machine. The group’s album Mother appears in 2019. It also releases the single “The King Of Rock’n’Roll” in 2021 and “3 Days Gone” in 2022, the latter produced by Alex Raunjak. The album Dinner For Wolves is announced for 2023.

Live work and collaborations

The band builds a reputation on the live circuit in Australia and overseas. It supports Whitesnake, Judas Priest and Deep Purple, and tours with Alice Cooper and Glenn Hughes. Electric Mary also showcases at Experience PRS for PRS Guitars in Stevensville, Maryland alongside Carlos Santana, Dweezil Zappa and Buddy Guy. It collaborates with engineer and producer Jason Corsaro on a live recording while in the United States.

In 2011 the group performs at the World Cup in South Africa before touring mainland Europe, including Hellfest in France. It returns to Europe in 2012 for further dates in France, Spain, Belgium and the UK, and also performs at the Hard Rock Hell Festival in Wales. In 2016 it tours Europe again with the Straight Out of Hell Dorado tour.

Line-up changes and recognition

The band is first described as a five-piece featuring Rusty Brown, Irwin Thomas, Pete Robinson, Alex Raunjak and drummer Venom. Venom later leaves and is replaced by Davey Porter, who plays after having worked with Rusty Brown intermittently for around 20 years. Porter then departs and Paul “Spyda” Marrett takes over drums. In 2008 Electric Mary is a finalist at the MusicOz Awards and is nominated for Best Rock Band.