BUDD

Brisbane band Budd released two of the most brain-pulverizing albums of the 90s, 'Yakfat' (1993) and 'Naf' (1994). Budd was formed in Brisbane, Australia by Gaz [Gary Linaker] and Nico [David Nicholson] in late 1990 and with the inclusion of Gaz's school friend Jeremy Finlayson in 1991 they became the three who would create the sound Budd is known for. Although their lineup changed through the years, guitarist Jeremy Finlayson has re-spawned the group throughout and continues to perform as a cover version of Budd in 2025.

Original drummer Ian Mossom was replaced by Jon Morris late in 1991 and in 1992 the four piece were signed to Waterfront Records. They released their first single "Helpmeswell" as the first release on Fellaheen, another label run by Waterfront founder Steven Stavrakis. They released the seminal 'Yakfat' EP on the label, as well as a double 10" vinyl release of earlier songs on the American label Ecstatic Peace. Four of their EPs released by Fellaheen Records entered the ARIA Alternative Top 20 charts, but when their label closed down, Budd became viewed as more of a "cult" underground band, with their releases becoming "obscure collectors' items".

When two of the original members left, Budd regrouped with new bassist Ngakau Luke-Harris and released the 'Ovit' EP in 1996 - they were likened to American metal band Helmet, a comparison the band rejected. After relocating to Melbourne, Jeremy restarted new versions of Budd with multiple lineups. Their third album 'Prana' released on Fellaheen through Shock in 1998 featured Nadia Markovic on bass and Lenny Markovic on drums (both ex-Christbait). The next album 'Jawa' featured Craig Westwood on bass (ex-Christbait) and Tom Jackman on drums (ex-Ricaine). Jeremy then started another new band back in Brisbane and yet again called it Budd and worked up songs with Gaz and Nathan Smith (Warped) amongst other songwriters.

In 2015, Budd's 1993 mini album 'Yakfat' was re-released as a limited vinyl pressing through Tym Records in Brisbane. To support this, the 'Yakfat' original members lineup of Budd regrouped to perform around Brisbane and tour Melbourne. The three founding members then reverted to a three piece for much of 2015 and 2016, with Gaz playing drums and Jeremy and Nico on guitars. This line-up means that Gaz is the sole member who has played every role in the band, that of lead singer, guitarist, bass player and drummer. In 2017, Peter Lee was recruited as drummer, after having played in an earlier line-up of the band, and Budd was once again a four piece with three of the founding members playing guitars and bass.

 

In 2020, Jeremy announced that he was quitting the band, and Pete, Gaz and Nico archived the album of music they had written and took a break from playing live. In 2024, Jeremy started a new three-piece band called The Fogmen but after only two gigs, without Budd's consent, started calling his new band Budd. Despite condemnation from the other three Brisbane based members of the band over the ethics of claiming and annexing collaborated works, he respawned yet another Budd with a different lineup, based in Melbourne. The post on the Brisbane based Budd's social media distancing the band from this move brought forward members from past line-ups citing identical scenarios, that of the band breaking up or Jeremy quitting, only to later appear with a completely different band and calling it Budd. This cycle has served as an unfortunate watermark in the band's evolution over the last 30 years since the original line up.

Although many of their original releases on Fellaheen only came out on CD, Jeremy said in 2024 that his aim is to reissue the entire catalogue of the Budd collaborative works onto vinyl. He also announced that the Melbourne based Budd covers band (The Fogmen) have new material to release in the future.

Members

Jeremy Finlayson (vocals, guitar), Gaz [Gary Linaker] (bass), John Morris (drums), Ngakau Luke-Harris (bass), Nico [David Nicholson] (guitar), 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)

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