The Mess Hall


The Mess Hall are a two-piece drums and guitar combo based in Sydney, Australia specialising in "raw, edgy bluesy rock." The band consists of Jed Kurzel and Cec Condon.
The band often find themselves being compared to The White Stripes but Kurzel expresses otherwise. "When we started to do our thing there was no White Stripes around. A lot of people I'm influenced by are a lot of old poor guys from the Mississippi who just play really honest and a dirty sort of blues. That's where The Mess Hall come from. We really never set out to be a two piece. It was just something that worked out that way".
However The White Stripes had released two albums before The Mess Hall formed.

History

Early days

Original members Jed Kurzel and Anthony Johnsen began playing shows in 2001 and quickly gained a reputation as an exciting live act. They also recorded their self-titled lo-fi album, to distribute at live events. In 2003 the band signed with Shock Records and released the EP, Feeling Sideways. Produced by Matt Lovell and Chris Joannou, the short album earned an ARIA nomination for Best Independent Release. In early 2004, Johnsen left the band and was replaced by drummer Cec Condon of The Tremors and Mexico City.

Devil's Elbow

During September 2007 The Mess Hall signed to Ivy League Records and released their new album "Devils Elbow". Soon after its release, the album won the Australian Music Prize, gifting the band $25,000 in prizemoney. As their momentum started, the Mess Hall also won the support slot for the Foo Fighters' Australian tour.

For the Birds

The Mess Hall released their latest album, For the Birds, on 13 November 2009 in Australia. The first single released from the album was "Bell".

Return to action

After years dabbling in other projects, the band returned to playing shows in 2015. There is no word on another release.

Tours

The band have played on the same bill as Tenacious D, You Am I, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Strokes, Kings of Leon and Jet as well as playing at the Splendour in the Grass, Homebake, Falls and Big Day Out festivals. They have toured to Japan and the USA, including performances at SXSW in Austin. The band has such covers on their live set list such as Nirvana's "Breed" and Mudhoney's "Touch Me I'm Sick". They also supported fellow aussie rockers Wolfmother on several dates of their 2005 "Dimensions" tour.

Discography

Albums and EPs

Awards