Kisschasy

Kisschasy are an Australian rock band that formed in Melbourne, Victoria in 2002, built around lead vocalist Darren Cordeux with Joel Vanderuit on bass, Sean Thomas on guitar, and Karl Ammitzboll on drums, and over their first decade released multiple records including two studio albums that were certified gold in Australia.

How the band came together

Kisschasy formed in 2002. Three of the four members grew up near Balnarring on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, while Cordeux grew up in Cranbourne, Victoria. Vanderuit, Thomas, and Ammitzboll previously played in a local band called Tenpin. Kisschasy took shape after Tenpin met Cordeux’s band at the Arthouse in Melbourne in early 2002, and the name was chosen after a toss up between Kisschasy and “Other Stuff.”

The first EP run

In 2004, the band released two EPs on Below Par Records, Darkside / Stay Awake and Cara Sposa. They toured in support of those releases leading up to the recording of their first album.

United Paper People

Kisschasy recorded their debut album United Paper People in Sydney in February 2005 with Phillip McKellar producing. In March 2005, the band traveled to Seattle to mix the album with Barrett Jones.

The first single, “Do-Do’s & Whoa-Oh’s,” received heavy rotation on commercial and alternative radio. The song earned an ARIA Awards nomination for Breakthrough Artist, Single at the 2005 ceremony, and the band also received a Channel V Oz Artist of the Year nomination in 2005. Kisschasy were later nominated for “Spankin’ New Aussie Artist” at the 2006 MTV Australia Video Music Awards.

Hymns for the Nonbeliever

In late 2006, Kisschasy began pre production for their follow up album, Hymns for the Nonbeliever. They worked with British producer Chris Sheldon, who produced, engineered, and mixed the record. Recording took place at The Grove Studios on the Central Coast of New South Wales and at Rockinghorse Studios near Byron Bay across December 2006 and January 2007. The first two singles, “Opinions Won’t Keep You Warm at Night” and “Spray on Pants,” were mixed by Jerry Finn.

Hymns for the Nonbeliever was released on July 21, 2007 and became the band’s second album to be certified gold in Australia. A later single from the album was “Strings and Drums.”

Too B or Not Too B

In May 2008, EMI released a 16 track compilation titled Too B or Not Too B. It included acoustic tracks and B sides, plus a bonus DVD collecting the band’s music videos from United Paper People and Hymns for the Nonbeliever, excluding “Ugly Birds in a Beautiful Cage,” which was released after the DVD.

Seizures and the road that followed

Kisschasy released their third studio album, Seizures, in August 2009 after recording in Los Angeles with producer Rob Schnapf. In June 2009, the band launched a new website tied to the album’s theme.

The first single, “Generation Why,” was released to radio and as a digital download on July 7, 2009, and its music video was posted to YouTube on June 24, 2009 ahead of the single’s release. It later came out as a CD single on July 24, 2009. Cordeux described the song as being about “armchair philosophers who love to complain,” and said the title came after the song was written.

The second single, “Turnaround,” arrived in September 2009, with its video shot at the Darlinghurst Community Centre in Sydney. In January 2010, the band announced “Dinosaur” as the third single, and the video was created by a university student and featured two animated dinosaurs.

The band toured Australia in late 2009 in support of Seizures, and that year they were voted Channel V Oz Artist of the Year. Kisschasy were also announced for the 2010 Big Day Out lineup, and after their 2009 national tour they played at Southbound, MS Fest, Pushover, and Groovin’ The Moo.

The 2015 farewell announcement

On July 17, 2015, the band announced they were disbanding following the 10 year anniversary of their debut album. They also announced a farewell tour for October 2015, featuring United Paper People played in full along with other crowd favorites.

Reunion era and new songs

On June 15, 2022, Kisschasy were announced for Good Things Festival, with the band playing United Paper People in full on the run. After that tour, they announced a national Australian tour for May 2023.

In May 2025, Kisschasy released “Lie to Me,” described in the bio as their first new music in 16 years, followed by “Parasite” in August 2025.

Personnel

• Darren Cordeux, lead vocals and rhythm guitar
• Joel Vanderuit, bass and backing vocals
• Sean Thomas, lead guitar and backing vocals
• Karl Ammitzboll, drums and backing vocals

Discography

• United Paper People (2005)
• Hymns for the Nonbeliever (2007)
• Seizures (2009)
• The Terrors Of Comfort (2026)