Ever since The Fumes exploded onto the Aussie rock scene in 2004 with a self-titled EP and the critically-acclaimed debut album Guns Of Gold in 2006, the infamous blooze-rock duo have left slack jaws, ringing ears and wagging tongues in their wake. But in the case of geetar-slinger and mighty-bearded vocalist Steve Merry and drumming prodigy Joel Battersby, the gushing is with good reason. Not so much making a name for themselves as branding it in the consciousness of punters nationwide, The Fumes have pursued a constant regimen of touring

Gaining respect from industry and a growing public they work equally well carving up blues festivals and headlining sold out rock venues. Their vigorous touring schedule started from the onset and charged into full gear by the time they released their debut album ‘Guns of Gold’ (Silent Partner/Inertia) in July 06. Chock full of swagger and groove they set about Australia on numerous occasions to regional towns and cities wowing audiences with their high octane blues rock performances.

THE BRAG… “You cannot deny the raw power of The Fumes.” … DRUM MEDIA “The next big thing… an amazing set of lungs and a man behind the skins that doesn’t miss a beat”…..INPRESS “They were, simply, awesome. The Fumes are going from strength to strength; to the point that you’ll have to book ahead next time they stomp into town. The reason for this; they write and play great fucking music. Class over.”

The Fumes have also sweated up stages with the likes of COG, The Beautiful Girls, Ash Grunwald, Angus & Julia Stone, Hayseed Dixie (USA), Evermore, Dan Kelly and many other great local and international acts as the major festival invites came calling; Groovin The Moo, Falls Festival, Festival of The Sun, The Great Escape, Woodford Folk Festival, Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival and the West & East Coast Blues & Roots Festivals.

The Fumes were named Blues Artist of The Year at the 2005 Music Oz Awards and pulled of a spectacular performance that was televised nationally on SBS coinciding with the release of their first single ‘Oh My Babylon’ ( from E.P ‘The Fumes’) while it enjoyed rotation nationwide on Aussie radio. Second single ‘Automobile,’ (accompanied by the award winning film clip) went to high rotation across the country mostly through the efforts of Triple J which also featured the guys live on air in the studio and their performance at the Falls Festival in Victoria, all on the back of a more rigorous touring. The release of ‘Guns of Gold’ made its debut on the AIR chart at no 5 the first week of release. The Fumes entered the all distribution chart at number 20. The media went at it again;

FASTERLOUDER… “The Fumes are set to dazzle. with their multi-faceted stylistic raw blues tunes.’Guns Of Gold’ is a genre busting mash up of country, delta blues and punk/rock n’ roll. Recorded by legendary producer Lindsay Gravina (Thirsty Merc, The Living End, Magic Dirt, Faker) THE FUMES’ debut record proves why the band is quickly becoming the nation’s most exciting musical prospect”

The album continued to pick up accolades and scoop Album of the Week in the press and at radio. The Fumes were making the blues cool and dammed sexy to boot.

INPRESS…”The fluctuations in tempo and style are one of the albums strengths… Steve Merry’s deft and intricate guitar work with powerful, bourbon-drenched and cigarette-singed voice maintains the listeners attention whether through subtle or brutal means, where as Joel Battersby is simply one of the most dynamic drummers to beat his way onto the scene in quite a while”…CD of the WEEK DRUM MEDIA…”timeless and awfully well wrought”…J MAG…”These are two guys playing from their gut and they’ve captured that intensity here.”

Guns of Gold was released in Japan on 5th December 07 ( Blues Interaction P-Vine Records).

The Fumes continued to hit many highs in 2008 & 2009, from their inclusion on the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan in 08, touring exclusively with Queens of The Stone Age, to dynamic showcases at SXSW in Austin 09. The Fumes also toured to Canada, LA and New York to introduce themselves in North America while they kept their signature profile of regular touring in Australia and Tokyo.

All the while they released their second studio album ‘Sundancer’ produced by Jim Diamond from Detroit (Dirtbombs/ Electric Six/ The White Stripes) in Australia & Japan. The release resulted with a tremendous number of stunning reviews from credible music media right around the country, continued support with national radio airplay, and a steady top 20 position in the AIR charts for 18 weeks.

The Fumes returned to NYC in October 09 to showcase themselves at CMJ Music Marathon and plan to make their way back OS in August-Sept 2010 to support their first release in North America & Europe (Musebox /EMI). Before the band head offshore the final single from ‘Sundancer’ will be released to radio in Australia in February supporting their national tours with legend US outfits Clutch and Calexico.