Purplene were an indie rock band whose life began in the industrial Australian city of Newcastle in 1996, culminating in the release the 2004 Purplene LP, then disbanding in the spring of 2005 as one of Australia's most respected rock groups.

Purplene LP

Recorded in Chicago in 2003 with Steve Albini, Purplene earned high critical praise both locally and internationally when the CD was first released via Spunk Records in 2004. The Australian newspaper said of the LP, "Just when I thought Australian guitar music seemed poised to choke on its own cliché-ridden tail, Purplene release their second album," awarding it 4.5 stars out of 5. Belgian magazine Derives made it their feature release, and Rolling Stone called the album, "The work of a band that's in love with the art of crafting the perfect song...truly impressive." In early 2018, it was announced that Hobbledehoy Records would be releasing the album for the first time on gatefold vinyl. Their angular guitar music embraced space as often as it did intensity, and the band's infrequent live performances and recording releases invited listeners to join them on a diverse journey of disjointed rhythms, richly layered melodies and intelligent, often haunting lyrical themes.

Discography

LPs

EPs

DVD & Video

7" vinyl

Music Videos

Related projects

Blackman, Jesson, and Rossetti went on to form Charge Group, releasing the albums Escaping Mankind (2008) and Charge Group (2012). Charge Group's excellent video for Run garnered significant praise and TV airtime. Jesson and Rossetti also went on to continue working with Newcastle instrumental rock group The Instant (previously Audiophile). Blackman, Jesson, and Rossetti have all contributed work with Firekites – a band formed by The Instant's Tim McPhee. In 2008, Blackman formed rock trio Palace of Fire with Chris Ross and Myles Heskett, both formerly of Wolfmother, then later went on to form electronic duo Ex-Hell with Heskett. In late 2017, Ex-Hell's work first emerged in the music score for CBS comedy No Activity. Blackman has also worked as music composer for TV shows including Review With Myles Barlow, Kitchen Cabinet, and ABC Open. Blackman plays drums in The Tucker B's and was a founding member and multi-instrumentalist in Sydney experimental post-rock group Ukiyo-e (1998–2002).