David Jobling
The Herd
:
The Herd
The Herd formed in 2001 after the core members of Elefant Traks record label decided to collaborate rather than submit individual tracks for a compilation. They retreated from the city for weekends and days off to record at a lakeside house on the Central Coast. What resulted was the self-titled album that featured the Triple J (national youth broadcast radio station) hit Scallops, a song that became an Aussie backyard anthem.
Mid-2002 The Herd put the final touches on the follow-up album, called An Elefant Never Forgets. What started out as a group of individuals working together had now developed into a tight and cohesive band, with members performing shows with each other constantly.
The new album was released in February 2003 amidst the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces. The first single Burn Down The Parliament hit Triple J radio just after the devastating bushfires in Canberra. Fans turned up to the launches in droves, and The Herd became a regular fixture on the road.
The second single, 77% immediately sparked controversy with print, electronic media and talkback radio hosts like Stan Zemanek. The Sydney Morning Herald ran stories on the song and The Herd while talkback hotlines rang hot with curious and furious callers wanting to know more. Despite the uproar, Triple J continued playing the song and hundreds of listeners requested it, eventually being voted into the Triple J Hottest 100.
