Eddy Current Suppression Ring

If you wanted a day job that lent extra authenticity to your garage punk outfit, it would be tough to top the path taken by Eddy Current Suppression Ring. The quartet first crossed paths as employees at a vinyl pressing plant in Ormond, Victoria, Australia. Drawing from the raw, no-nonsense approach of the Troggs, the Pagans, and the Australian band X (distinct from the Los Angeles group sharing that name), three of the workers—guitarist Eddy Current, bassist Rob Solid, and drummer Danny Current—began performing a handful of numbers at the plant’s annual Christmas party held at Corduroy Records in late 2003. They asked their coworker and friend Brendan Suppression to join them on vocals. Though Brendan had never fronted a band, his raw energy and knack for spontaneous lyrics impressed everyone present, prompting the four to form a group.

The name Eddy Current Suppression Ring refers to a component inside a transformer. The band recorded its debut single, “Get Up Morning,” in 2004. Following steady local performances and several 7-inch singles and EPs, they issued their self-titled first album on Dropkick Records in 2006. Packed with tight, catchy songs, straightforward playing, and Brendan’s thick Australian accent, the LP drew strong praise from writers attuned to garage and punk sounds. The group then launched its own imprint, Aarght Records, to put out the 2008 follow-up Primary Colours. That record unexpectedly crossed over to mainstream listeners, climbing to number six on the Australian charts and earning a nomination for Best Rock Album of 2008 at the Australian Music Industry Awards. Goner Records later issued it in the United States. The band continued with 2010’s Rush to Relax, another potent dose of garage-rock energy, also released by Goner.