Biography
Formed in Brisbane, Australia, during 1996, the hardcore Christian rock outfit Beanbag earned an early reputation as "Australia's Masters of the Bizarre." Its lineup consists of drummer Phil Usher, vocalist Hunz Van Vliet, bassist Phil "Hirvy" Hirveda, and guitarist Michael Mullins. The quartet's explosive sound fuses hip-hop grooves with brain-numbing metal riffs and draws comparisons to Korn, P.O.D., Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, and Project 86.
Two demos, an EP, and a string of high-energy Australian concerts helped Beanbag cultivate a sizable following before the group entered the American market around 1998. In 2000 the four-piece issued its first full-length release, Free Signal, on the fledgling Inpop Records imprint, which was supported by Peter Furler, Wes Campbell, and Sparrow Records. The punk metal album featured cuts such as "Bite the Hand," "Disturbed," and "Happy Dispatch," earning Beanbag a pair of Dove Award nominations for Best Hard Rock Album and Best Hard Rock Single for the track "Whiplash."
Since its inception the band has appeared at numerous festivals across Australia and the United States while consistently delivering an uplifting message. Following its rapid emergence, Beanbag returned in early 2001 with Welladjusted.
Two demos, an EP, and a string of high-energy Australian concerts helped Beanbag cultivate a sizable following before the group entered the American market around 1998. In 2000 the four-piece issued its first full-length release, Free Signal, on the fledgling Inpop Records imprint, which was supported by Peter Furler, Wes Campbell, and Sparrow Records. The punk metal album featured cuts such as "Bite the Hand," "Disturbed," and "Happy Dispatch," earning Beanbag a pair of Dove Award nominations for Best Hard Rock Album and Best Hard Rock Single for the track "Whiplash."
Since its inception the band has appeared at numerous festivals across Australia and the United States while consistently delivering an uplifting message. Following its rapid emergence, Beanbag returned in early 2001 with Welladjusted.
Singles
