The Living End

The Living End

The Living End are an Australian punk band from Melbourne, formed in 1994. The group centres on lead singer and guitarist Chris Cheney and bassist Scott Owen, who are introduced to each other at Wheelers Hill Secondary College by their older sisters. Cheney, who is strongly influenced by the 1980s rockabilly group the Stray Cats, persuades Owen to learn double bass rather than piano, and the pair begin performing as Runaway Boys, taking their name from a Stray Cats song.

Early line-up and first releases

The band goes through several drummers before settling on Joey Piripitzi. In 1995, after sending a T-shirt and a demo tape to Billie Joe Armstrong, they secure a support slot on Green Day’s Australian tour. They then record the debut EP Hellbound, which receives some community radio support, followed by the EP (It’s for Your Own Good, from which From Here On In gains regular airplay on Triple J.

After the second EP, Piripitzi leaves and Travis Demsey joins. Demsey soon plays with the band at major festivals including Pushover and the Falls Festival. The group then releases the double single Second Solution / Prisoner of Society, with Prisoner of Society becoming a national hit.

Breakthrough and albums

The Living End sign to Modular Recordings for their self-titled debut album, The Living End. It becomes a major success in Australia, producing six singles and becoming the second-highest-selling debut rock album in Australian music history, reaching five-times-platinum status.

Their second album, Roll On (2000), presents a broader sound, with Cheney saying that he wants to show the band is not defined only by Prisoner of Society. The album draws comparison from some critics to London Calling by The Clash.

Setbacks and later work

After a quieter period, Cheney is involved in a car accident on the Great Ocean Road and is unable to play for a significant time. Following his recovery, the band returns in 2003 with new drummer Andy Strachan and releases One Said to the Other and Who’s Gonna Save Us?, regaining radio airplay. They tour heavily, including appearances at Big Day Out, and issue Modern ARTillery.

In 2004, they release the singles collection From Here on In: The Singles 1997-2004 and a DVD containing their video clips, a “supergig” and documentary-style interview and home-footage material. Cheney also performs at the 2004 ARIA Awards as part of the supergroup The Wrights, alongside members of other Australian rock bands.

State of Emergency and White Noise

The band’s fourth album, State of Emergency, is recorded in Byron Bay after their appearance at Splendour in the Grass. Its singles include What’s on Your Radio, which reaches number 9 on the ARIA singles chart, and Wake Up, which reaches number 5. By this period the group is signed to Adeline Records, owned and run by Billie Joe and Adrianne Armstrong.

In 2008, The Living End release White Noise, which moves toward a harder rock sound. The album’s singles include the double A-side White Noise / How Do We Know, Moment in the Sun and Raise the Alarm.

Recognition

Chris Cheney and Scott Owen win the Jack Awards for Best Guitarist and Best Bassist in 2004 and 2005.