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Australian Rock

tagStarted 1973Peak 1976-1990Last big hit still activeFrom Australia

Located in 1 route

Rock → Global / Regional Rock

Understanding the genre

Hard-driving, no-nonsense rock forged on Australia's "pub rock" circuit - tight, loud, blues-based and built for sweaty beer barns. Defined by relentless rhythm guitar, shouted choruses and working-class swagger, from AC/DC's riff machine to Cold Chisel's piano-rock and Midnight Oil's politically charged hard rock. Brawny, road-tested, hook-driven.

History

A distinct regional scene grown on the 1970s-80s "pub rock" circuit, where bands honed brutal live sets in suburban beer barns - louder and more riff-heavy than Britain's pub rock. AC/DC carried the sound global; Cold Chisel, The Angels and Midnight Oil ruled at home. Triple J radio and INXS's worldwide success extended the lineage, with Jet leading a 2000s garage-rock revival.

Defining artists

Essential listening

← Explore Rock

Sources

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Oil
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khe_Sanh_(song)
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am_I_Ever_Gonna_See_Your_Face_Again
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_You_Gonna_Be_My_Girl