* En anglais uniquement
New Zealand's smartass retort to
Sum 41,
Steriogram honed its hodgepodge of heavy metal chuggery, white-boy hip-hop, and outsized funk tomfoolery around its hometown of Auckland before hitting international pay dirt in 2004 with the low-culture anthem "White Trash." The song dated from 2001, when its video clip -- featuring the exuberant rapping of
Steriogram drummer Tyson Kennedy -- caused a stir in NZ. A previous single had already gained
Steriogram some notice, but the response to "White Trash" spurred the band's decision to install Kennedy as full-time MC/frontman and incorporate a greater hip-hop influence into its already lively clang. Kennedy, guitarist/vocalist
Brad Carter, bassist Jake Adams, and guitarist Tim Youngson asked drummer pal Jared Wrennall to join the crew, and parlayed the single's buzz into some higher-profile gigs. Capitol noticed, and signed
Steriogram in late 2002.
David Kahne (
Sublime,
Sugar Ray) was tapped to produce the resulting recording sessions, and when the
Schmack! LP appeared domestically in May 2004, it boasted a huge, radio-friendly sound and loads of loopy humor. ~ Johnny Loftus