The Mess Hall

The Mess Hall were a two-piece drums and guitar combo based in Sydney, Australia specialising in "raw, edgy bluesy rock." The band consisted of Jed Kurzel (lead vocals/guitar) and Cec Condon (drums/backing vocals) for most of its tenure. The band were often praised for its live shows: "When plugged in and turned up," wrote The Sydney Morning Herald, "the duo produce enough energy to power a house full of floodlights."[1] The band released four studio albums before amicably parting in 2011. They reunited for a series of shows in 2015.

The Mess Hall
Background information
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresBlues-rock
Indie rock
Garage rock
Years active2001–2011, 2015
LabelsShock Records
Ivy League Records
Associated actsSilverchair, The Tremors, Noah Taylor and the Sloppy Boys
WebsiteOfficial website
Past membersJed Kurzel
Cec Condon
Anthony Johnsen
Justin Kurzel

History

Early days

The Mess Hall originally formed as a trio - Jed Kurzel on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Justin on bass and Anthony "AJ" Johnsen on drums and backing vocals. After Justin's departure a few months after forming, Jed Kurzel and Anthony Johnsen began playing shows as a duo in 2001. They quickly gained a reputation as a live act. They also recorded their self-titled lo-fi album, to distribute at live events. In 2003 the band signed with Shock Records and released the EP, Feeling Sideways. Produced by Matt Lovell (Something for Kate) and Chris Joannou (Silverchair), the short album earned an ARIA nomination for Best Independent Release.[2] In early 2004, Johnsen left the band and was replaced by drummer Cec Condon[3] of The Tremors and Mexico City.

Notes From A Ceiling

In 2005, The Mess Hall released their second studio album, Notes From A Ceiling. Jed Kurzel said the only recollection he has of recording the album is that Cec Condon nearly set fire to the studio whilst barbecuing, and that while he was suffering vertigo, the attending doctor was more interested in whether the band were touring on the next Big Day Out than attending to his illness.[4] As well as releasing the singles "Metal And Hair" and "Pills", the song "Disco 1" received consistent radio play time on Triple J. The album won an ARIA award for Best Engineer and was included in both Triple J and Rolling Stone's[1] Top 50 Albums of 2005.

Devil's Elbow

During September 2007 The Mess Hall signed to Ivy League Records and released their third album, "Devils Elbow". Soon after its release, the album won the Australian Music Prize, gifting the band $25,000 in prizemoney. As their momentum started, the Mess Hall also won the support slot for the Foo Fighters' Australian tour.

For the Birds and hiatus

The Mess Hall released their fourth and final album, For the Birds, on 13 November 2009 in Australia. The first single released from the album was "Bell". Kurzel and Condon last performed together in 2011, as members of Noah Taylor & The Sloppy Boys. Condon joined The Cops, while Kurzel focused on film scoring full-time.

2015 reunion

The band returned to playing shows in 2015. The band performed on New Year's Day at Sydney's Vic On The Park and at Wollongong's Farmer & The Owl Festival before returning to inactivity.

Tours

The band have played on the same bill as[5] Tenacious D, You Am I, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Strokes, Kings of Leon and Jet as well as playing at the Splendour in the Grass, Homebake, Falls and Big Day Out festivals. They have toured to Japan[1] and the USA, including performances at SXSW[6] in Austin. The band has such covers on their live set list such as Nirvana's "Breed" and Mudhoney's "Touch Me I'm Sick". They also supported fellow aussie rockers Wolfmother on several dates of their 2005 "Dimensions" tour.

Discography

Albums and EPs

Singles

Awards and nominations

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005[7] Notes from a Ceiling Australian Music Prize Nominated
2007[8] Devils Elbow Australian Music Prize Won
2009[9] For the Birds Australian Music Prize Nominated

ARIA Awards

Jack Awards
  • 2006 Jack Awards, Best Live Band
  • 2006 Jack Awards, Best Lead Guitarist - Jed Kurzel[10]

References
  1. "Songwriters: The Mess Hall". Mushroom Music. 2005. Archived from the original on 4 April 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2006.
  2. "The Mess Hall:Poised To Release New Dirty Blues". Faster Louder. 2004. Archived from the original on 17 July 2005. Retrieved 2 June 2006.
  3. "THe Mess Hall - Jed Engine". X-press Online. 2005. Retrieved 1 June 2006.
  4. "Notes From A Ceiling". Australian Music Online. 2005. Archived from the original on 9 September 2006. Retrieved 31 May 2006.
  5. "Homebake 2003 bands". Homebake.com.au. 2003. Archived from the original on 16 June 2005. Retrieved 5 June 2006.
  6. "SxSW Welcome An Australasian Talent Influx". Faster Louder. 2006. Archived from the original on 12 January 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2006.
  7. "Winners & Shortlists". australian music prize. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  8. "Winners & Shortlists". australian music prize. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  9. "Winners & Shortlists". australian music prize. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  10. "The Jack Awards Nominees Announced". undercover.com.au. 2006. Archived from the original on 28 August 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2006.
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