Grinderman

Grinderman is a UK alternative rock group formed in London in 2006 and active until 2011. The line-up consists of Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn P. Casey and Jim Sclavunos. The group’s sound is described through alternative rock, garage rock, punk rock and rock.

Formation and role in Nick Cave’s work

The band begins as a side project of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. It is first known as Mini Seeds and is formed by Cave as a way of stepping away from the demands of The Bad Seeds. The name Grinderman comes from the Memphis Slim song Grinder Man Blues, which Cave starts singing during an early rehearsal.

Line-up and instrumentation

Nick Cave handles vocals, guitar, organ and piano. Warren Ellis plays tenor guitar, electric mandolin, violin, viola and guitar, and also contributes backing vocals. Martyn P. Casey plays bass and guitar and sings backing vocals, while Jim Sclavunos plays drums and percussion and also sings backing vocals.

Albums and activity

The group releases two studio albums: Grinderman in 2007 and Grinderman 2 in 2010. Both receive very positive reviews. After touring behind the second album, the band ends following a performance at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria, Australia in December 2011, with the split allowing focus to return to The Bad Seeds’ material. The group later plays a one-off reunion performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California in April 2013.