Amyl And The Sniffers

Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian pub rock and punk rock band formed in Melbourne in 2016. The band consists of vocalist Amy Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Martens, and bassist Gus Romer. Their energetic performances and raw sound have made them a standout in the rock scene. The band gained significant attention when their self-titled debut album won the Best Rock Album category at the 2019 ARIA Music Awards.

History

2016–2017: Giddy Up and Big Attraction

The band was initially formed by housemates Amy Taylor, Bryce Wilson, and Declan Martens, along with former member Calum Newton (also known as Candy), in Balaclava, Melbourne. The quartet wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, within a mere 12 hours. Following Calum’s departure to pursue solo music, Gus Romer joined the band as the bassist. The band’s name comes from the Australian slang term for amyl nitrite, commonly known as poppers. Amy Taylor has humorously compared their music to the drug, saying it’s short-lived and intense, much like their live shows.

Amyl and the Sniffers quickly became known for their high-energy sound reminiscent of 1970s punk and hard rock, drawing comparisons to Iggy Pop, The Stooges, and The Damned. Taylor’s influences, however, are varied, ranging from Minor Threat and AC/DC to Dolly Parton and Cardi B. The band released their second EP, Big Attraction, in 2017, which further solidified their presence in the punk rock scene.

2018–present: Amyl and the Sniffers and Comfort to Me

In 2018, Amyl and the Sniffers recorded their debut full-length album with producer Ross Orton. The self-titled album was released on 24 May 2019 and received widespread acclaim, including positive reviews from Pitchfork, NME, and AllMusic. Following the album’s release, the band was recognized for their contributions to rock music, winning the Best Rock Album award at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019.

On 7 July 2021, the band announced their second studio album, Comfort to Me, which included singles like “Guided by Angels” and “Security”. The album was released earlier than planned, on 10 September 2021, and was well received, charting in several countries. The band continued to build their reputation with notable performances, including opening for Weezer, Fall Out Boy, and Green Day during the 2022 Hella Mega Tour, and touring with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction in 2023.

In 2024, the band continued their momentum with a U.S. headline tour and supporting shows with Foo Fighters. They also released two singles, “U Should Not Be Doing That” and “Facts,” and announced a UK and European headline tour for November 2024.

Discography

Albums

• Amyl and the Sniffers
  • Released: 24 May 2019
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, LP
  • Label: Flightless, Rough Trade, ATO Records
  • Chart Positions: AUS: 22, UK: 91
• Comfort to Me
  • Released: 10 September 2021
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, LP
  • Label: B2B, Rough Trade, ATO Records
  • Chart Positions: AUS: 2, GER: 22, UK: 21, US (Sales): 18

EPs

• Giddy Up
  • Released: 24 February 2016
  • Formats: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl And The Sniffers
• Big Attraction
  • Released: 15 March 2017
  • Formats: Cassette, digital download
  • Label: Amyl And The Sniffers