BUDD

Australian grunge band Budd, originally from Brisbane, released two of the most brain-pulverizing records of the 90s, 'Yakfat' (1993) and 'Naf' (1994). Budd was formed by Jeremy 'Jez' Finlayson, Gaz [Gary Linaker[, and Nico [David Nicholson] (ex-Baton Rouge) in 1991, joined by drummer Ian Mossom, originally from Townsville. Budd's first few shows were at house parties in Brisbane's suburbs, followed by their first pub show, at the Gladstone Hotel in Toowoomba. By late 1991 Jon [John Morris] had replaced Ian Mossom, and the band recorded and self-released a cassette, 'Fuzzgutzn'. In 1992 the single ''Helpmeswell'' came out as the first release on the new Fellaheen label, run by Waterfront founder Steven Stavrakis. They released the seminal 'Yakfat' EP on Fellaheen in 1993. Some early material was compiled by Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore and released to the American market on his Ecstatic Peace label, as the self-titled 'Budd' double 10" vinyl album.

In 1993, both Gaz and Nico left Budd, moving to rural areas. Subsequently, Jon introduced bassist Ngakau Luke-Harris (ex-Spiral-I), and Budd continued with this three-piece lineup. They released the mini-albums 'Naf' in 1994 (including the fan-favourite track ''Petrol''), and 'Ovit' in 1996. Budd toured nationally with bands such as Shellac, Fugazi and The Beastie Boys, performing at festivals including The Big Day Out, Livid, New Year's Revolution at the Dromana drive-in, and at Fisherman's Wharf with Mudhoney, Iggy Pop and Beasts Of Bourbon. Four of Budd’s records released by Fellaheen Records entered the ARIA Alternative Top 20 charts. The third Budd album 'Prana' was released on Fellaheen through Shock in 1998 and featured in the lineup at the time siblings Nadia Markovic on bass and Lenny Markovic on drums (both ex-Christbait).

Budd went through quite a few personnel changes over the next few years, with previous members Gaz, Ngakau and Lenny rejoining the band at various times, as well as the lineup including musicians Campbell Robinson (The Mark Of Cain) on drums, Nathan Smith (Warped) on bass, Finn McCarthy (Blood Duster) on guitar, Matt 'Tanzie' Tanner (Giants Of Science) on guitar, and Peter Lee on drums. In 2005 Jeremy joined up with guitarist Craig Westwood (ex Christbait, Dern Rutlidge), and drummer Tom 'TJ' Jackman (ex-Ricaine, Hurdy Gurdy, Ruck Rover, Slurper), and in 2009 released the Budd album 'Jawa'. The band continued to tour nationally, including with Clutch, until both Tom and Craig left the group to concentrate on their individual business careers.

In 2015, the Brisbane-based record label Tym Records (run by Tym Guitars principal Tim Brennan) re-released the 1993 Budd record 'Yakfat' on vinyl. To commemorate the release, early members Jez, Gaz, Nico, and Jon regrouped to play a showcase at the Tym Guitars shop. Only 200 copies of 'Yakfat' were pressed on vinyl, and such was the demand that all copies sold out within just two days. Over the next few years Budd played more shows with this lineup, including the Sonic Masala event in August 2016, and a tour of Melbourne. The lineup changed again a few times, some new material was worked on, and an album’s worth of demos were recorded. However, in 2019 Jeremy took a hiatus from music, for personal reasons.

Budd contributed the 1995 track 'Kneecap' to the 2021 'Loud As Ever' compilation, part of the 'Sound As Ever' compilation series, curated by broadcaster and music journalist Jane Gazzo. Upon returning to music after an extended break, Jeremy asked drummer Cris Wilson (Warped, Hoss, Johnny Casino, Legends Of Motorsport) and bassist Kez [Kerrie Hickin] (ex-Holocene, Autohaze, Sunset Strip, Magnolia Strip) to play. At the end of 2023, the then-new trio played two warm-up shows as The Fogmen, and from January 2024 were playing as Budd, performing material primarily from the 'Naf', 'Ovit', 'Prana' and 'Jawa' releases, as well as new works. Former members Tom Jackman and Craig Westwood have guested with the band at live shows during that year. Budd recorded four new songs, with one of these to appear on a split single with Geelong band Smoke Witch, to be released in 2025. A deluxe vinyl re-issue of 'Ovit' is also planned, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of its recording.

Members:

Jeremy Finlayson (vocals, guitar), Gaz [Gary Linaker] (vocals, bass, guitar, drums), Nico [David Nicholson] (guitar), Jon [John Morris] (drums), Ngakau Luke-Harris (bass), Peter Lee (drums), Matt 'Tanzie' Tanner (bass), Craig Westwood (vocals, bass), Tom Jackman (drums), Campbell Robinson (drums), Nadia Markovic (bass), Lenny Markovic (drums), Ian Mossom (drums), Peter Lee (drums), Nathan Smith (bass), Finn McCarthy (drums), Owen Kruse (drums), Cris Wilson (drums), Kez [Kerrie Hickin] (bass)

SINGLES
''Helpmeswell'' 1992 Fellaheen 

EPs
'Yakfat' 1993 Fellaheen 
'Naf' 1994 Fellaheen
'Ovit' 1996 Fellaheen

ALBUMS
'Fuzzgutzn' 1991 
'Budd' 1994 Ecstatic Peace! 
'Prana' 1998 Fellaheen
'Jawa' 2009