The Mess Hall

Belonging to the same sphere as the White Stripes and the Black Keys, the Mess Hall function as a guitar-and-drum blues-rock duo shaped by Mississippi blues and Zeppelin power drumming. Jed Kurzel, who supplies vocals and guitar, and drummer Anthony Johnsen established the band in Sydney, Australia in 2001. They laid down their self-titled debut through a lo-fi process and then secured a deal with Shock Records to release the Feeling Sideways EP. Johnsen exited shortly afterward, prompting the arrival of Cec Condon—formerly of the Tremors and Mexico City—on drums. Their explosive stage presence led to extensive tours that included opening slots for Jet, the Strokes, Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, and Wolfmother. Notes from a Ceiling, issued in 2005, captured the Mess Hall at their creative height and preceded Devils Elbow in 2007 along with For the Birds in 2009.