Spanning a career of nearly 13 years, the band has been through many different stages, put out a number of releases both independently and on labels. They’ve toured with some of the best names in Australian and International Rock - Crowded House, Midnight Oil, Yothu Yindi, Hoodoo Gurus, Ed Keupper, The Clouds, Rat Cat, Henry Rollins, The Cruel Sea, as well as headlining their own gigs up and down the East Coast and the Top End. Based around the solid nucleus of Singer/ Songwriter/ Guitarist/ Harp player Nolan Angel and his brother Morgan on Bass and Backing vocals, The Genes blend together seamlessly to create a distinctive and organic sound that only two brothers could make. Acoustic Guitar, Bass and Drums, equally sparse and full, give The Genes a sense of simplicity and maturity found in truly great bands. Add Dominic Sutcliffe’s drums to the mix and ‘Spanny’ on extra guitar duties…all of a sudden The Genes effortless and humble sound makes perfect sense… Around the beginning of 2003 The Genes decided to gather from the three states in which they live and head down to Cavalier Music, hidden away in the wilds of Research, Victoria, to write and record the songs which make up “Death Of A Memory”. From Up-Tempo-Bar-Room singalongs (Drinking Whisky) to more moody reflective moments (Death Of A Memory, Sinking Ship), this album has enough dynamics and character to make you go back for repeated listening. “The Genes…are free from the pretension and
production that surrounds so much of today's contemporary releases. If
it's quality song writing you're after then look no further than The Genes.” “…there’s the songs, which are subtle
(i.e. not trumpeting out their hooks, so at first you don't notice them,
then on 3rd listen you think - I know this song!) and well-crafted, arranged
just the way I like them (i.e. stopping before I start to twiddle my thumbs).
… they do have the confident, laid-back originality of a band who
has evolved. Maybe their je-ne-sais-quoi has something to do with the
fact that they are not pushing too hard - so the listener is drawn in.” |