Episode 4: Quan Yeomans – Regurgitator
Regurgitator
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It’s hard to imagine an Australian music scene without Regurgitator. For over three decades now, the trio have been dishing out highly-regarded albums, packed full of songs that are as catchy as they are fun; and backing it up with undeniably stellar live shows.
For the Gurge – which was formed in Brisbane back in 1993 by Quan Yeomans on guitar and vocals; Ben Ely on bass and vocals; and Martin Lee – their story kicked off with 1994’s self-titled EP, which soon resulted in some major label support, and 1995’s New EP (that’s the title, by the way, I’m not being quirky), which nabbed them their first ARIA Awards nomination.
One year later, debut album Tu-Plang reached #3 on the charts, and boasted singles like ‘F.S.O.’, ‘Kung Foo Sing’, and ‘I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am’ – which I’ll touch on later. As their profile grew, the hard-rocking enigma that was Regurgitator spread their wings with their second album, Unit. Despite – bafflingly – only reaching #4 on the national charts, it earned a total of 12 ARIA Award nominations over two years, and netted five trophies for the group, including Album Of The Year, and Best Alternative Release.
When you factor in that it contains songs like ‘Polyester Girl’, ‘! (The Song Formerly Known As)’, ‘Black Bugs’, and ‘Everyday Formula’, you stat realising this polished piece of electronic pop might as well be a greatest hits record. Hell, Rolling Stone Australia even named it the 14th best Aussie album of all time. Boy, I’d like to commend whoever put it there. (Spoiler, that was me.)
The group’s lineup shifted a bit in 1999, when the prolific Pete Kostic (of Front End Loader fame) joined the band. Since then, they’ve continued knocking out stunning albums. I’m talking 1999’s ...art, 2001’s Eduardo and Rodriguez Wage War On T-Wrecks, and 2004’s Mish Mash!, which was recorded as part of Channel V’s Band In A Bubble project back in 2004.
After a brief hiatus around 2013, The Gurge have since been hard at it ever since, even going as far as to release a children’s album in 2019. Now, in between their relentless touring schedule, they’ve found the time to write and record their newest album, Invader.
It’s classic Regurgitator, packed full of that undeniably catchy pop sheen, that tongue-in-cheek sense of humour, and a few stylistic and lyrical focuses that we’ve not really seen before. Add in a few guest appearances by the likes of Peaches and JK-47, and you’ve got a record that is among their best work.
This week, I was lucky enough to be joined by the fabulous Quan Yeomans. I can’t tell you how grateful I was to have someone like Quan on this podcast. From his thoughtful answers to his wonderful broadcasting voice, this was a chat I wish could have lasted for hours on end.
Once you’re done giving Invader a spin, I invite you to press play, enjoy the chat with Quan, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.
Oh, and for those playing at home, here’s a screenshot of that time that Regugitator briefly ruined my Google reputation.
Quan Yeomans’ Trusty Chords
Quan’s One Influential Artist
Prince
Quan’s Three Impactful Albums
Prince – Purple Rain (1984)
The Mint Chicks – Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! (2006)
Aphex Twin – ...I Care Because You Do (1995)
Quan’s Five Trusty Songs
Don Henley – ‘The Boys Of Summer’ (1984)
Fleetwood Mac– ‘The Chain’ (1977)
Labrinth– ‘When I R.I.P.’ (2022)
The Magnetic Fields– ‘I Don't Want To Get Over You’ (1999)
David Bowie– ‘Let's Dance’ (1983)
