Episode 31: Dave McCormack – Custard, The Titanics, The Polaroids

Custard. Credit: Supplied

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I think it’s fair to say that my music taste would not be what it is without Dave McCormack. 

Hailing from Brisbane, McCormack is the prolific musician best known as the frontman for beloved alt-rock outfit Custaro… uh, Custard. Together, the group are best known for classic tracks like 'Apartment', 'Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)', and 'Music Is Crap', along with other exceptional tunes such as 'Hit Song', 'Nice Bird', 'Ringo (I Feel Like)', 'Anatomically Correct', and... well just about the whole discography.

Burning bright in the ‘90s thanks to albums like Wisenheimer, We Have The Technology, and Loverama, Custard even nabbed an ARIA Award, influenced me immensely as a music fan, and then split up in 2000.

Following the split, Dave added onto his list of groups – which had already included Who’s Gerald?, Static Exhale; C.O.W., Miami, and others to go solo, along with playing with groups such as The Titanics and The Polaroids. There’s plenty of other bands too, but we’ve not got that much time.

In 2009, Custard reformed, with sporadic performances ultimately resulting in a new album in 2015. Since then, more records have arrived, and now, this month has seen Custard issue their fourth post-reunion album, Suburban Curtains.

Oh, and if you’re not a music fan – firstly, what are you doing here, then? – you might recognise the Dave McCormack name from his work as the voice of Bandit on the immensely-popular TV show Bluey. No, not the one with Lucky Grills, but the other one, with the cartoon blue heelers.

In case you can’t tell, Dave McCormack is my guest today, and I truly couldn’t be happier to have his charming self on the podcast.

Anyway, I strongly urge you to check out Custard’s Suburban Curtains album, and once you’re done giving that a spin, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Dave McCormack’s Trusty Chords

Dave’s One Influential Artist

1. The Beatles

Dave’s Three Impactful Albums

1. David Bowie – Hunky Dory (1971)

2. The Cruel Sea – This Is Not The Way Home (1991)

3. Jon Wayne – Texas Funeral (1985)

Dave’s Five Trusty Songs (And A Few More Honourable Mentions!)

1. The Beatles – 'I Saw Her Standing There' (1963)

2. Pavement – 'Range Life' (1994)

3. Trio – 'Da Da Da I Don't Love You You Don't Love Me Aha Aha Aha' (1981)

4. Frank Black – 'Whatever Happened To Pong?' (1994)

5. David Bowie – 'Loving The Alien' (1984)

6. The Hummingbirds – 'Two Weeks With A Good Man In Niagra Falls' (1991)

7. Models – 'Atlantic Romantic' (1981)

8. Wall Of Voodoo – 'Mexican Radio' (1982)