The Polites

The Polites were born from a few beer-soaked, and messy Fridays in early 2007 at St Kilda’s ‘Pint on Punt’. They began as a two piece, with drummer Christian Whitehead... more

The Polites were born from a few beer-soaked, and messy Fridays in early 2007 at St Kilda’s ‘Pint on Punt’. They began as a two piece, with drummer Christian Whitehead and guitarist/singer Julian Dunne importantly concocting an unusual mix of blues and manic beats –and a sound far bigger than any normal beer drinker would expect from a little red drum kit and a Rickenbacker.

Armed with a swagger that belies their years and a home made sample box; The Polites took on venue big and small to increasing success throughout the rest of 2007.

At a showcase gig late in the year, the boys added Ben Mackie on guitar and vocals and Tom O’laughlin on bass to fill out the live sound. That night, the 2 original members found a most inspiring and welcome addition to the lineup. Needless to say the boys were added as a permanent fixture and with the addition of fellow ‘Crimson Flames’ guitarist Tom McGrath (now relocated behind an organ) a ‘5-piece Polites’ was born almost overnight.

As of 2008 the boys have worked solidly at an ever evolving live set and early in the year recorded a 4 track EP entitled ‘Samples, & Stupendous Serenades’. They then picked up the ‘TRIPLE J UNEARTHED TOP SONG’ award for the folk-shanty ‘Someone Else’s Rum’.

Band Members

Julian Dunne, Tom McGrath, Christian Whitehead, Brendan Rex, Ben Mackie

Band Influences

• Small Faces
• Tom Waits
• Paul Kelly
• Lovetones
• Belles Will Ring
• Bob Dylan
• 13th Floor Elevators
• Kill Devil Hills
• Jacky Winter
• The Pictures
• The Beatles
• Augie March
• Rolling Stones
• Easybeats

Keywords

Melbourne, indie, pop, psychedelic, Triple J, Crimson Flames, Alcorettes

Boooring……

Seems like the band owners have been pretty boring here, you should get in contact with them and find out why it's empty!