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Dave Graney is an Australian rock musician, singer-songwriter and author. Since 1978, Graney has collaborated with drummer-multi instrumentalist Clare Moore. The pair have fronted or been involved with numerous bands including The Moodists (1980 to 1987), Dave Graney and the White Buffaloes (1989 to 1990), Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes (1987 to 1989, 1991 to 1997), The Dave Graney Show (1998 to 2003), Dave Graney and Clare Moore featuring The Lurid Yellow Mist or Dave Graney and The Lurid Yellow Mist (2004 to 2011) and Dave Graney and The mistLY. Many albums since Let's Get Tight in 2017 have been credited to Dave Graney and Clare Moore.

Graney was awarded the ARIA Award for Best Male Artist at the 1996 ARIA Music Awards for his work on The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, while "Feelin' Kinda Sporty" won the ARIA Award for Best Video in 1997 and he has received seven other ARIA Award nominations. Since 2009, Graney has co-presented a radio show on Melbourne's 3RRR called Banana Lounge Broadcasting or BLB. He has published two memoirs, 1001 Australian Nights (2011) and WORKSHY (2018) and two lyrics books It Is Written, Baby (1997) and There He Goes with His Eye Out (2023)

Biography

[edit]

Early years to The Moodists

[edit]
Main article: The Moodists

David John Graney grew up in Mount Gambier, South Australia.[1] He attended St Mary's Primary School, Marist Brothers College, McDonald Park Primary School and Mount Gambier High School. He finished school after Year 12. In 1978, he relocated to Adelaide and, as lead vocalist, he teamed with drummer Clare Moore to form Sputniks with Liz Dealey on bass guitar, Phillip Costello on guitar and Steve Miller on guitar.[1][2] Sputniks released one single, "Second Glance" on an independent label before moving to Melbourne in 1979 where they disbanded.[3] Graney, Miller and Moore formed post-punk group The Moodists with Steve Carman on bass guitar in 1980.[1][4] They released a single "Where the Trees Walk Downnhill"/"I Should Have Been Here" on the Au Go Go label. Carman was soon replaced by Chris Walsh on bass guitar. This line-up released a single "Gone Dead"/"Chad's Car", and an EP "Engine Shudder" on the Au Go Go label. In April 1983, Mick Turner (previously in Sick Things, Fungus Brains, later in Dirty Three) joined on guitar and they relocated to the United Kingdom in October.[3] They released their studio album "Thirsty's Calling" in 1984 on the Red Flame label with Victor Van Vugt co producing with band along with engineer Tony Harris .[3][4] Red Flame also released a six track mini album in 1985 called "Double Life". A single "Justice and Money Too" was released on the Creation label. Chris Walsh left in the same year, 1985. David McClymont joined on bass and the band recorded two 12" EPs "Take the Red Carpet out of Town" and "Someone's Got to Give" on the T.I.M. label in the UK.[5]

1986–1998: The Coral Snakes and White Buffaloes

[edit]

In late 1986, The Moodists ground to a halt and after taking a break Dave Graney and Clare Moore formed Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes (also seen as Dave Graney with the Coral Snakes) in late 1987 and played in London pubs and clubs.[1][2] Other members were Gordy Blair on bass guitar, Malcolm Ross (ex-Orange Juice, The Moodists) on guitar and Louis Vause on piano and keyboards.[1][2] In 1988, with Barry Adamson (former member of Magazine, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) producing, they recorded enough material for an extended play, "At His Stone Beach" released in September on the Fire label.[1] The cover had ornate Edwardian lettering by UK illustrator Dave Western. By 1989, Graney and Moore were ordered out of the country by UK immigration authorities.[6] The four tracks, "World Full of Daughters", "Listen to Her Lovers Sing", "A Deal Made for Somebody Else" and "The Greatest Show in Town", were later included on CD version of the Dave Graney with the White Buffaloes album, "My Life on the Plains".

Back in Melbourne, the couple formed Dave Graney with The White Buffaloes with Rod Hayward (ex-Little Murders) on guitar, Conway Savage (Boy Kings) on keyboards and Walsh (The Moodists) on bass guitar. Graney sported an Edwardian/Western image, wearing snakeskin and brown suede, sporting a curled moustache and waxed goatee.[1][6] The band released "My Life on the Plains" in 1989 with Phil Vinall producing.[2] Vinall, a friend of Graney and Moore, later worked with The Auteurs, Placebo and Magic Dirt (among others). The album included tracks written by other artists, such as Gene Clark, Fred Neil, Gram Parsons and the traditional "Streets of Laredo". In their live shows they included songs by Doug Sahm, Lou Reed, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Tim Rose. The title was from an autobiographical tome by George Armstrong Custer in 1876, the year he died at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The cover featured images of a young Jesse James, Custer and ornate Edwardian lettering by London artist Dave Western, based on a Frederic Remington cowboy painting. It reflected Graney's obsession with wild western myth and late 1960s psychedelic bands with similar tastes, The Charlatans and Quicksilver Messenger Service from San Francisco. No singles were released from the album, although a video was shot by Tony Mahony for "Robert Ford on the Stage". Savage left to join Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and they were joined on pedal steel guitar by Graham Lee (The Triffids). This line-up recorded "Codine", a live in the studio four track extended play, which was issued late in the year.[1][6] It was later added to the CD version of the "I Was The Hunter... and I Was The Prey" album. "Codine" was written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and had been performed by The Charlatans in swaggering space cowboy style while the Dave Graney with the White Buffaloes cover version was equally tough.[1] The EP sleeve was another Dave Western illustration.

During June 1990, Graney, Moore and Hayward travelled to London and recorded "I Was the Hunter... and I Was the Prey" with Blair on bass guitar, Ross on guitar, and Vause on piano. The album was produced by Vinall at a Croydon home studio run by former Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher. The cover by Western shows Graney with full 'Hickok' curled moustache and velvet pomp. It was not issued until May 1992, due to a crisis with indie distribution in the UK, under the name Dave Graney with the Coral Snakes. In mid-1991, the band had moved back to Melbourne with a line-up of Blair, Graney, Moore, and Hayward; with Robin Casinader on keyboards (ex-the Wreckery).[1][6] In July 1992, they released a live album, Lure of the Tropics on the Torn & Frayed label on Shock Records.[1][2] It was recorded at St Kilda's Prince of Wales Hotel. The cover art was by Tony Mahony, the album featured three other improvised tracks (along with the title piece) and was originally mixed by Phil McKellar – it was re-released in 1997 with extra tracks and remixed by Tony Cohen.

For their April 1993 album, Night of the Wolverine, the band signed with PolyGram, Andrew Picouleau (ex-Sacred Cowboys) provided the bass guitar and Tony Cohen co-produced.[1][2] The album has been described as "a certified Australian rock classic. It captured Graney at a new peak of his songwriting powers ... [tracks were] full of elegant and eccentric detail".[1] Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea) guested on lead vocals for "Night of the Wolverine II" with Amanda Brotchie on backing vocals.[1] The title track and "You're Just Too Hip, Baby" reached No. 48 and No. 59 on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 1993.[7] Cover art was by Mahony who directed the video for "You're Just Too Hip, Baby". The band toured outside the inner city of Melbourne and Sydney for the first time backing Hunters & Collectors, then The Cruel Sea before heading their own national tour. The album and tours had raised their profile with mainstream music critics.[6] "Night of the Wolverine" earned an ARIA Award nomination for 'Best Alternative Release' at the 1994 ceremony.[8] It was released on the This Way Up label in the UK in 1996.

The band's next album, "You Wanna Be There But You Don't Wanna Travel", which peaked at No. 10 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Album Charts, was released in June 1994.[1][9] With Blair back on bass guitar, it was co-produced with Cohen.[2] The singles from the album were, "I'm Gonna Release Your Soul" in April, and "You Wanna Be Loved" in August. A limited edition of the album included a bonus disc, Unbuttoned, with seven extra tracks. The promotional film clip for "I'm Gonna Release Your Soul", directed by Mahony, was nominated as 'Best Video' in 1995.[8][10]

The group's July 1995 album, The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, was produced by Victor Van Vugt.[1][2] It reached the Top 40 and earned Graney the 'Best Male Artist' accolade at the 1996 ARIA Music Awards.[8][9] Graney was wearing a hot pink, crushed velvet suit and a wig and said (under his breath) 'King of Pop'.[1][6] This was a reference to a 1970s pop award which was presented by teen magazine, Go-Set. The album also received nominations as 'Best Cover Art' for Mahony and 'Producer of the Year' for Victor Vaughan [sic].[a] "I'm not Afraid to Be Heavy" (June), "Rock 'n' Roll Is Where I Hide" (August) and "I'm Gonna Live in My Own Big World" (February 1996) were issued as singles.[1] The limited edition album's bonus disc, Music for Colourful Racing Identities, featured seven live tracks.[1] It was also accompanied by a media CD with an interview of Graney by HG Nelson called A Word in Yer Shell, Like. It was released in the UK and Europe on the This Way Up label in 1996. Graney and Moore spent six months of the year recording and working in London.

The next album, The Devil Drives, was released in May 1997, and reached the Top 20. It was recorded in Melbourne and mixed in London at Maison Rouge studios and co-produced by Graney, Moore and David Ruffy along with engineer Kenny Jones. It spawned the single, "Feelin' Kinda Sporty" (co-written with Clare Moore) . The single won 'Best Video' by Mahony in 1997, the album was nominated for 'Best Cover Art' by Mahony and Graney received a nomination as 'Best Male Artist'.[8][12] The single was promoted with an appearance on the daytime soap Neighbours, in which Dave sent up his sinister lounge-core persona in a pastel blue suit and a fedora – in one memorable scene holding the character Toadfish upside down and shaking him for the return of his mobile phone. It is unknown what if any impact this had on sales of the record. The second single was "A Man on the Make". The Devil Drives was the last studio album for Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes and with Universal Music as Graney and Moore disbanded the group and parted ways with the label in December.[1] Album also accompanied by a media CD with an interview with Dave Graney called Coffins Have no Pockets, which was part of a media booklet based on a Holden Monaro owner's manual. In 1997 Graney released his first book, It is Written, Baby, a collection of his lyrics interspersed with fragments of journalism, memoir and opinion, with photographs by Mahony.[13]

Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes released a compilation, The Baddest, in September 1999. It included an unreleased version of "The Sheriff of Hell" from The Devil Drives which was re-recorded and remixed with Andrew Duffield (ex-Models) on keyboards, Phil Kenihan and Billy Miller (The Ferrets) on guitar and vocals. The same team had remixed "Feelin' Kinda Sporty" the previous year. It also featured an unreleased cover version of the AC/DC song "Show Business". Cover art was provided by Tony Mahony.

1998–present: The Dave Graney Show- the Royal Dave Graney Show – the Lurid Yellow Mist to the mistLY

[edit]

Graney and Moore's next band was The Dave Graney Show (elaborated in 2003 to The Royal Dave Graney Show), which formed in early 1998 with Stuart Perera on guitar and Adele Pickvance (Robert Forster Band) on bass guitar.[1] The single, "Between Times", and The Dave Graney Show were released in November on Festival Records. Guest musicians included Duffield, Sean Kelly (ex-Models) on backing vocals and Billy Miller. It was co-produced with Duffield and Kenihan. In February 1999, "Your Masters Must Be Pleased with You" was released as a single and Billy Miller had permanently joined the line-up.[1] The latter single's video was part of a twenty-minute film shot and edited by Mahony called Smile and Wave. This album saw half of it recorded and played by only Graney and Moore, then the rest of the band was brought in to play the other half.

Graney and Moore continued to perform live around Australia and released material on their own Melbourne based label, Cockaigne. Cockaigne's first release was The Dave Graney Show's single, "Drugs are Wasted on the Young" in February 2000 ahead of the album, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye in April.[1] It was co-produced by Graney, Moore and Adam Rhodes. Other singles were "Out of the Loop" (with Mahony video) and "Have You Heard About the Melbourne Mafia?", both with cover art by Mahony. Graney described the album as "dark, brandy flavoured funk". It was released in the UK and Europe on Cooking Vinyl. A tour of Europe, with a line-up of Graney, Moore and Perera, supporting Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds followed in 2001. It was during this tour that Graney contracted a filthy lung infection which resulted in an operation at a hospital in Paris. Clare Moore released her first solo album, The Third Woman, on Chapter Music in August.[6]

July 2002, saw the release of Heroic Blues, which was produced by Graney, Moore and Adam Rhodes. The single, "Are We Goin' Too Fast For Love?", was issued. The title track was recorded live at a sound check at the Tarwin Lower Pub earlier in the year. Graney improvised the vocal about a performer playing to an empty room. He called it a "folk soul" album.

Moore appeared with Melbourne band, The Sand Pebbles, on stage as well as on record. She contributed strings and keyboards to albums by Kim Salmon as well as the Wagons. She played on Robert Forster's (The Go-Betweens) covers CD I Had a New York Girlfriend. She appears with Jane Dust and the Giant Hoopoes, her own band the Dames and with jazz combination Henry Manetta and the Trip. Graney and Moore engineered and mixed the debut albums by the Darling Downs (Salmon and Ron Peno) and the Muddy Spurs. They both played in Salmon, the seven guitar, two drummer heavy rock orchestra devised and led by Kim Salmon.

In 2003, Graney and Moore briefly reformed The Moodists – with Turner, Steve Miller and Walsh – for a limited number of performances in Melbourne to promote the release of a double compilation album, Two Fisted Art (1980 -1986).[6] The album was released on the W.Minc label – run by Steve Miller – in 2003 and contains nineteen of the band's studio tracks on the first disc and sixteen previously unreleased live recordings (recorded in Sydney (March 1983), Melbourne (December 1984) and London (July 1985)) on the second disc. As Dave Graney and Clare Moore, the couple worked on the soundtrack for the feature film, Bad Eggs,[14] and released Music from the Motion Picture – Bad Eggs[15] in July. They received a nomination for ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album at the 2003 ceremony.[16]

The Brother Who Lived was released in 2003 by The Royal Dave Graney Show (a nod to the Royal Melbourne Show) – with a line-up of Graney on vocals, harmonica, organ, and bass, acoustic and electric guitars; Moore on drums, vocals, keyboards, percussion; Billy Miller on acoustic and electric guitars, and vocals; Perera on vocals and electric guitar; and Pickvance on vocals, percussion and bass guitar. It was produced by Graney, Moore and J Walker. Singles issued were "Midnight to Dawn" and "All Our Friends Were Stars". The latter had a video shot and edited by Graney, Tony Mahony made a video for "The Brother Who Lived". The main part of the album was recorded, after The Moodists reunion, in a day with all the band in the studio together. Four other tracks were recorded and mixed by Graney and Moore at their Melbourne studio. Pickvance left the group and bass guitar was taken up by Stu Thomas (Kim Salmon and the Surrealists, Kim Salmon and the Business, Salmon, The Stu Thomas Paradox) in 2004.

Graney contributed music to and played a small (musical) part in a stage production of the 1960s British play Stone in 2004. Graney and Moore released a double album, Hashish and Liquor, in 2005, with the first disc, Hashish performed by Graney and the second, Liquor by Moore.[17] Jazz pianist Mark Fitzgibbon played on a lot of the album and Warren Ellis (Bad Seeds-Dirty Three) guested on flute, mandolin and violin.

In 2006, Graney's Point Blank was recorded, which he described as "a song cycle of a life as a heavy entertainer", for which he was accompanied by jazz musician Mark Fitzgibbon (The Moodists) on piano and Clare Moore on vibraphone. Concurrently, a touring trio of Graney (12-string, vocal), Moore (vibes, vocal) and Stu Thomas aka Stu D (baritone guitar, vocal) was formed, performing extensively across Australia, in support of the 2006 CD, Keepin' it Unreal on Cockaigne. This trio appeared in Europe in 2008 as opening act for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.[18]

In 2007 Graney and Moore joined with guitarist, Perera, pianist Mark Fitzgibbon and bass player Stu Thomas to form The Lurid Yellow Mist featuring Dave Graney and Clare Moore (or as Dave Graney and The Lurid Yellow Mist).[6] The name of the band, according to Moore, was based on the strange miasmic cloud that the man in the 1957 science fiction film, The Incredible Shrinking Man drove his speedboat through just before he started his transformation.[19] As a collective they worked on a batch of new songs at the Yarraville Mouth Organ Band (YMOB) hall, before entering Sing Sing Studios in September where they laid down eight tracks in a day, virtually recording live. Graney and Moore then mixed it at their home studio, Ponderosa, finishing in November. The resultant album, We Wuz Curious was released on the Illustrious Artists label on 14 June 2008. The first single, "I'm in the Future Now", issued in November 2007, had music written by Stu Thomas, who also made the video (filmed in Cocos Islands). A video was also made for "Let's Kill God Again", which received some radio promotion.

In May 2009, Graney released his first album credited as a solo billing, Knock Yourself Out. Described by Graney as an "electro boogie" album. It was produced, recorded and mixed by Graney, with Moore co-writing some tracks, arranging and contributing instrumentation, with Thomas and Perera from The Lurid Yellow Mist as guest performers.[20] A video was produced for the title track, "Knock Yourself Out", directed by Nick Cowan, it was shot in Hosier Lane and Smith Street, Melbourne.

A follow-up show to the narrative performance Point Blank was performed at the Butterfly Club in 2009, which was called Live in Hell. It featured songs by Graney with other Hell-related tunes by Elvis Presley, Roxy Music, the Fall and the Doors. Mostly without any amplification, the line-up was Perera on acoustic guitar, Thomas on bass guitar, Moore on a small drum kit and Graney on vocals. In 2010, a third narrative style show was performed at the Butterfly Club. MC Bits featured the duo of Graney accompanied by Mark Fitzgibbon on piano.

2010 saw the release of Supermodified,[21] a remix and remastering compilation project where Graney went back to the 2001 and 2003 albums Heroic Blues and The Brother Who Lived to sing, play extra guitars and add keyboards and percussion and remix the songs. Previously unreleased tracks were included in the package of 18 tracks, with a Mahony illustration on the cover.

2011 saw the release of Rock'n'Roll is Where I Hide,[22] on Liberation.[23] The album was recorded at Soundpark in Melbourne by Graney and The Lurid Yellow Mist and mixed by Victor Van Vugt in New York. A collection of re-recordings with The Lurid Yellow Mist of songs from his back catalogue. It was released with Graney's second book, 1001 Australian Nights,[24] by Affirm Press,[25] which concentrates on his life as an artist and performer.

In 2012, the band's name was altered to Dave Graney & The mistLY, and the album You've Been in My Mind[26] was released by Cockaigne.[27] The lead single was "Flash in the Pantz", with an accompanying video of the band shot live at Meredith Music Festival 2011. A further video for "We Need a Champion" was filmed and edited by Nick Cowan.

Graney and Moore also played and recorded an album as rhythm section for Howard and the NDE, a band fronted by old friend Harry Howard (These Immortal Souls, Crime & the City Solution, the Pink Stainless Tail) and Edwina Preston.

2013 saw a series of digital only singles released as work was begun on a solo acoustic album.

A fourth narrative show was also performed at the Butterfly Club in Melbourne. A solo show called Early Folk[28] featured Dave Graney playing songs from across his career which had been inspired by the town of Mt Gambier.

May 2014 saw the release of Fearful Wiggings, the second album to be credited as a "solo" album. Again, Clare Moore featured extensively on the album playing vibes and singing.[29] UK guitarist Nick Harper played on two tracks and Graney recorded all the lead vocals with Lisa Gerard (Dead Can Dance) at her studio in country Victoria. Three songs from the album had accompanying video clips. The song "Everything was Legendary with Robert" had a video made for it by film makers Donna McRae and Michael Vale, while a video for "Country Roads, Unwinding"[30] was made by Dave Graney. This video featured footage of the drive along the Coorong between Adelaide and Mount Gambier shot by Heath Britton.

2015 saw the release of several digital only albums. 2015 also saw the first of several reunion shows with Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes, playing to sellout crowds in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Adelaide.

The Melbourne annual Leaps and Bounds Festival honoured Dave Graney and Clare Moore[31] as Living Legends and a concert was held at the Gasometer Hotel with many Melbourne musicians paying tribute to the pair by playing their songs. The performances went for 5 hours.

Dave Graney and The mistLY played an ATP Festival in Prestatyn, Wales,[32] curated by comedian Stewart Lee, a long time supporter of their activities. They joined up with former guitarist Malcolm Ross and played shows in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester (including a BBC6 session with dj Marc Riley) and continued on to dates in France, Holland, Belgium and London.

In July 2016 there was a further return show for Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes to a packed house in Melbourne.

In April 2019, Dave Graney and The mistLY released an album called Zippa Deedoo What Is/Was That/This?[33]

In November 2019 a digital only studio album was released by Dave Graney and Clare Moore called One Million Years DC.[34] The album featured guest appearances by Shane Reilly from the Lost Ragas on pedal steel and Coral Snake Robin Casinader on mellotron.

In December 2019, Dave Graney and Clare Moore were inducted into South Australian Music Hall of Fame.[35]

In 2021, the album Everything Was Funny[36] was released, credited to Dave Graney and Clare Moore.

In 2022, the album In a Mistly[37][38] was released, credited to Dave Graney and Clare Moore.

In April 2024, Graney and Moore released (strangely) (emotional).[39]

November 2024, digital studio album by Graney and Clare Moore I Passed Through Minor Chord in a Morning

Other performances

[edit]

Graney has played at the Big Day Out festival on many occasions, as well as the Livid festival and the Falls Festival. He performed on the TV shows Recovery, Nomad, Smash Hits, Live and Sweaty, Denton, Midday with Kerry Anne, Jimeoin, Shaun Micallef's Micallef Tonight, Mornings with Bert Newton, AM with Denise Drysdale, Sale of the Century, The Games, RocKwiz, Spicks and Specks, Australia's Dumbest Musician, Neighbours (two-episode story), Review, and Roy and HG's Club Buggery (1996–1997). He wrote a lyric book, It Is Written, Baby. With Moore, he composed and performed the score of the movie Bad Eggs, and for Mahony's short film Ray. Graney contributed music to and played a small (musical) part in Stone, a stage production of the 1960s British play.

In September 2013, Graney also sang on Nick Harper's CD (Riven) on a track called "The Beginning is Nigh".

Bibliography

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[42]
My Life on the Plains
(with The White Buffaloes) 		–
I Was the Hunter... and I Was the Prey
(with the Coral Snakes)
  • Released: 1991
  • Label: Id, Mercury Records (532865-2)
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP
 –
Night of the Wolverine
(with the Coral Snakes)
  • Released: 1993
  • Label: Id, Mercury Records (Id00152)
  • Formats: CD
 –
You Wanna Be There But You Don't Wanna Travel
(with the Coral Snakes)
  • Released: June 1994
  • Label: Id, Mercury Records (522381-2)
  • Formats: CD
 10
The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound
(with the Coral Snakes)
  • Released: July 1995
  • Label: Id, Mercury Records (528416-2)
  • Formats: CD
 36
The Devil Drives
(with the Coral Snakes)
  • Released: May 1997
  • Label: Id, Mercury Records (534803-2)
  • Formats: CD
 18
The Dave Graney Show
(as The Dave Graney Show)
  • Released: November 1998
  • Label: Festival Records (D31911)
  • Formats: CD
 –
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
(as The Dave Graney Show)
  • Released: April 2000
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK002)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Heroic Blues
(as The Dave Graney Show)
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK005)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
The Brother Who Lived
(as The Royal Dave Graney Show)
  • Released: October 2003
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK008)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Hashish and Liquor
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: Reverberation (REV018)
  • Formats: 2×CD, digital
 –
Keepin' It Unreal
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Reverberation (REV029)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
We Wuz Curious
(As The Lurid Yellow Mist featuring Dave Graney And Clare Moore)
  • Released: June 2008
  • Label: Illustrious Artists (IARLP 204)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Knock Yourself Out
  • Released: May 2009
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK017)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Supermodified
(with The Lurid Yellow Mist)
  • Released: August 2010
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK018)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Rock 'n' Roll Is Where I Hide
  • Released: April 2011
  • Label: Liberation Music (LMCD0132)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
You've Been in My Mind
(with the MistLY)
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK021)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Fearful Wiggings
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK030)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Let's Get Tight
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK55)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
Zippa Deedoo What Is/Was That/This
(with the MistLY)
  • Released: March 2019
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK063)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
One Million Years DC
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: October 2019
  • Label: Cockaigne
  • Formats: digital
 –
Everything Was Funny
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: October 2021
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK70)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
In a MistLY
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: November 2022
  • Label: Cockaigne (COCK75)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
(strangely) (emotional)
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: April 2024[39]
  • Label: Cockaigne
  • Formats: CD, digital
 –
I Passed Through Minor Chord in a Morning
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: November 2024[39]
  • Label: Cockaigne
  • Formats: digital
 –

Soundtracks

[edit]
List of soundtrack albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
Bad Eggs
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: July 2003
  • Label: Liberation Music (LIBCD5077.2)
  • Formats: CD
 –
Johnny Ghost
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Cockaigne
  • Formats: digital
 -
Lost Gully Road
(with Clare Moore)
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Cockaigne
  • Formats: digital
 -

Live albums

[edit]
List of live albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
The Lure of the Tropics
(with the Coral Snakes)
  • Released: July 1992
  • Label: Torn & Frayed (TORN CD 1)
  • Formats: CD,
 –
Point Blank
(with Clare Moore and Mark Fitzgibbon)
  • Released: April 2015
  • Label: Wolverine Enterprises
  • Formats: digital
 –
Live in Hell
(with Clare Moore, Stu Thomas and Stuart Perera)
  • Released: April 2015
  • Label: Wolverine Enterprises
  • Formats: digital
 –
In Concert
(with Clare Moore and Robin Casinader)
  • Released: May 2020
  • Label: Wolverine Enterprises
  • Formats: digital
 –
Dave Graney and Clare Moore with Georgio "the dove" Valentino and Malcolm Ross
  • Released: August 2020
  • Label: Wolverine Enterprises
  • Formats: digital
 –
Lyve At Byrds
(with the MistLY)
  • Released: February 2022
  • Label: Cockaigne
  • Formats: digital
  • Note: Recorded on 8 November 2019 at Bird's Basement, Melbourne
 –

Compilation albums

[edit]
List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[42]
The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound and Simply The Best 'El Supremo
(with the Coral Snakes) 		–
The Baddest
(with the Coral Snakes)
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: Grudge (153754-2)
  • Formats: CD
 –
The Mercury Years 1994-1997
(with the Coral Snakes) 		–
Play mistLY for Me – Live Recordings Vol 1
  • Released: February 2015
  • Label: Wolverine Enterprises
  • Formats: digital
 –
Night of the Wolverine Demos
  • Released: August 2015
  • Label: Wolverine Enterprises
  • Formats: digital
 –
Once I Loved the Torn Ocean's Road: 80s/90s Demos Vol. 2
  • Released: October 2015
  • Label: Wolverine Enterprises
  • Formats: digital
 –

Extended plays

[edit]
List of EPS with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
At His Stone Beach
(with The White Buffaloes)
  • Released: September 1988 (UK)
  • Label: Fire Records (BLAZE 32T)
  • Formats: 12" LP
 –
Codine
(with The White Buffaloes)
  • Released: 1990 (UK)
  • Label: Fire Records (BLAZE 45T)
  • Formats: 12" LP
  • Note: Recorded Live in Melbourne
 –

Charting singles

[edit]
List of charting singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[42][43]
"I'm Gonna Release Your Soul"
(with the Coral Snakes) 		1994 81 You Wanna Be There But You Don't Wanna Travel
"Feelin' Kinda Sporty"
(with the Coral Snakes) 		1997 78 The Devil Drives

Awards and nominations

[edit]

ARIA Awards

[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually from 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Graney and Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes have won two awards from nine nominations.[8]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1994 Night of the Wolverine – Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes Best Alternative Release[44] Nominated
1995 "I'm Gonna Release Your Soul" – Tony Mahony[b] – Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes Best Video[10] Nominated
1996 The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound – Dave Graney Best Male Artist[11] Won
The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound – Victor Van Vugt[a] – Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes' Producer of the Year[11] Nominated
The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound – Tony Mahony[b] – Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes Best Cover Art[11] Nominated
1997 The Devil Drives – Dave Graney Best Male Artist[12] Nominated
"Feelin' Kinda Sporty" – Tony Mahony – Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes Best Video[12] Won
The Devil Drives – Tony Mahony[b] – Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes Best Cover Art[12] Nominated
2003 Music from the Motion Picture – Bad Eggs – Dave Graney and Clare Moore Best Original Soundtrack Album[16] Nominated

EG Awards / Music Victoria Awards

[edit]

The EG Awards (known as Music Victoria Awards since 2013) are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012[45][46] Dave Graney Best Male Nominated

South Australian Music Awards

[edit]

The South Australian Music Awards (previously known as the Fowler's Live Music Awards) are annual awards that exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry. They commenced in 2012.[47]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
2019 Dave Graney South Australian Music Hall of Fame inducted

Notes and references

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dave Graney

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Dave Graney (born 1959) is an Australian rock , , and author renowned for his distinctive blend of , , and lounge influences, often characterized by sharp lyricism and theatrical performances. Best known for fronting the 1980s band The Moodists and the 1990s alternative rock outfit Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, he has maintained a prolific career spanning over four decades, frequently collaborating with and multi-instrumentalist Clare Moore since 1978. His breakthrough album Night of the Wolverine (1993) with the Coral Snakes marked a commercial peak, followed by the gold-certified The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound (1995), which earned him the ARIA Award for Best Male Artist in 1996. Graney's early career began in his hometown of , , where he formed the punk band The Slunks in 1978 before relocating to and then . In 1980, he co-founded The Moodists with Moore, releasing the EP Engine Shudder (1982), and albums Thirsty's Calling (1984), and Double Life (1985)—while based in from 1983 to 1986, where the band gained a in the UK post-punk scene. After The Moodists disbanded, Graney formed the Coral Snakes in 1987, initially in , with a lineup including Moore, guitarist Malcolm Ross, bassist Gordy Blair, and keyboardist Louis Vause; their debut EP At His Stone Beach (1988) established their signature stylish, genre-blending sound. The group evolved into Dave Graney with the White Buffaloes for releases like My Life on the Plains (1990), toured internationally, and influenced Australian , with the Coral Snakes proper active until 1997; the band reunited in 2023 for a tour celebrating Night of the Wolverine. In the late and beyond, Graney transitioned to projects like The Dave Graney Show (1998–2001), releasing Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (2000), and pursued solo endeavors, including Knock Yourself Out (2009) and collaborations with Moore such as Everything Was Funny (2021). In 2025, he toured with the Coral Snakes for the 30th anniversary of The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound. He has also authored memoirs and cultural reflections, notably 1001 Australian Nights (2011), a semi- work on Australian music and identity, and Workshy (2018), a conceptual exploring his approach to creativity and performance. Graney's contributions extend to guest appearances with artists like and , underscoring his enduring role as a bohemian figure in Australian rock.

Early life

Childhood in South Australia

Dave Graney was born on 2 February 1959 in Mount Gambier, a regional town in South Australia's southeast, to working-class parents Noel and Philomena Graney. His father worked as a house painter for the Public Buildings Department, contributing to the family's blue-collar existence in a timber mill-dominated community. The Graneys lived in a modest three-bedroom house on Werona Street, where Dave grew up alongside his older siblings—brothers Phillip and Steve, and sister Marianne—as well as a younger brother and sister, in a Catholic household shaped by community ties to the church and local football club. From an early age, Graney's exposure to music came through records his mother brought into the home and the constant hum of the radio, igniting his initial fascination with 'n' roll. Among the family's collection were albums by , Roy Orbison, (including ), and the Kingston Trio's "Tom Dooley," alongside lighter fare like the soundtrack and ' "Maria Elena." Older siblings introduced records such as and , while a cousin and brother shared The Who's debut album; these sounds, often played on a shared portable record player in the lounge, contrasted with the pop heard outside and fostered Graney's early immersion in blues-tinged rock influences like , as gleaned from radio broadcasts and magazine articles about bands like . The isolated rural setting of profoundly shaped Graney's formative worldview, embedding themes of solitude and local mythology that would permeate his later artistic output. Growing up in this timber town, far from urban centers, he experienced a sense of and regional , influenced by the town's blue-collar rhythms and sparse cultural opportunities, which later informed his explorations of existential isolation and mythic narratives in songwriting. This environment, combined with early musical sparks, laid the groundwork for his distinctive perspective before his relocation to in the late 1970s.

Education and early musical experiences

Following the completion of his secondary education at Mount Gambier High School in 1976, Dave Graney briefly worked in local timber mills in his rural South Australian hometown before turning his attention to music. In 1978, still in Mount Gambier, Graney formed his first band, The Slunks, a punk group with local friends. In the late 1970s, Graney relocated to Adelaide, transitioning from rural isolation to the urban energy of the city and immersing himself in its burgeoning music scene. There, he discovered punk and post-punk through attendance at local gigs and by building his record collection, which exposed him to raw, energetic sounds that fueled his early interests. His high school-era listening habits had already laid groundwork with self-taught appreciation for music, drawing from 1960s garage rock influences via albums like the Rolling Stones' early works and Jefferson Airplane's Da Capo, alongside blues roots in Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. This period marked his shift toward performance, honed through informal experimentation without formal training. In 1979, Graney formed the short-lived Sputniks in alongside drummer Clare Moore, guitarist Steve Miller, bassist Liz Dealey, and second guitarist Phil Costello, serving as . The band played key early gigs in the local punk circuit, capturing the DIY spirit of the era, and recorded a single, "Second Glance" b/w "Our Boys," which showcased their raw energy before the group relocated to at the start of 1980. These experiences represented Graney's foundational steps in live music performance amid the vibrant urban punk landscape.

Musical career

Formation of The Moodists (1978–1987)

Dave Graney formed his first band, The Sputniks, in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1978, alongside drummer Clare Moore, whom he had met earlier that year through mutual musical interests. The group, initially known briefly as The Slunks in Mount Gambier before relocating to Adelaide, featured Graney on vocals and guitar, Moore on drums, Steve Miller on guitar, Phil Costello on guitar, and Liz Dealey on bass. In early 1980, Graney, Moore, and Miller moved to Melbourne, where they evolved into The Moodists, adding bassist Chris Walsh (replacing an interim member) to solidify the core lineup. This transition marked the band's shift from raw punk roots toward a more developed post-punk identity, with Graney as the charismatic frontman delivering lyrics infused with Australian cultural references, such as the surreal imagery in their debut single "Where the Trees Walk Downhill," released in October 1981 on Au Go Go Records. By 1982, The Moodists had gained traction in Melbourne's underground scene, releasing the single "Gone Dead"/"Chad's Car" in June and building a reputation for their intense live performances. Guitarist Mick Turner joined in April 1983, completing the classic lineup of Graney, Moore, , Walsh, and Turner, which propelled their international ambitions. In October 1983, the band relocated to , immersing themselves in the 's vibrant circuit and sharing stages with expatriate acts like and and the Bad Seeds. There, they signed with indie label Red Flame Records, which facilitated the UK release of their mini-album Engine Shudder (originally issued in in January 1983 on Au Go Go). The band's sound during this period blended urgency with gothic undertones—characterized by dense bass lines, sharp guitar riffs, a demonic vocal growl from Graney, and occasional melodic flourishes—often exploring themes of alienation and the Australian outback's harsh mysticism. The Moodists' debut full-length album, Thirsty's Calling, arrived in April 1984 via Red Flame in the (distributed by Virgin) and showcased their evolving style through tracks like the brooding "Thirsty's Calling" and "." That year, they toured extensively across the , , and the , honing a visceral stage presence that captivated audiences in underground venues. Returning briefly to in November 1984, they released further material before heading back to the in May 1985, where they issued the album Double Life on Red Flame and the EP Justice and Money Too on in August 1985. Additional releases included the EP Take the Red Carpet Out of Town in October 1985 and a self-titled EP in February 1986, both on Tim Kerr/Abstract, highlighting singles like "Justice and Money Too" that captured their raw energy and thematic depth. As lineup instability mounted—with Turner departing in January 1985 and Walsh leaving before 1986, briefly replaced by David McClymont from —internal tensions eroded the band's cohesion amid the pressures of constant touring and recording. These challenges, compounded by creative differences and the grueling expatriate lifestyle, led to The Moodists' disbandment in 1987, ending a formative chapter in Graney's career that established him in the international landscape.

The Coral Snakes and White Buffalo era (1987–1998)

Following the dissolution of The Moodists in 1987, Dave Graney and Clare Moore formed The Coral Snakes in later that year, recruiting guitarist Malcolm Ross, bassist Gordy Blair, and keyboardist Louis Vause to join them on vocals/guitar and drums, respectively. This lineup allowed Graney to shift toward a more rock-oriented sound while retaining the post-punk edge from his prior work. The band released an EP, Dave Graney with the Coral Snakes at His Stone Beach, in 1988 on Fire Records, marking their initial foray into a broader, more accessible style. Visa complications forced Graney and Moore to return to in 1988, where they briefly pivoted to the side project , incorporating country and twangy influences inspired by American roots music. With additional members Rod Hayward on guitar, Chris Walsh on bass, on keyboards, and Martin Lubran on pedal steel, the group recorded My Life on the Plains (1990), an album that evoked wide-open landscapes and narrative-driven songs, drawing from Graney's emerging Cody persona. This project served as a stylistic bridge, blending rustic elements with the urban rock sensibilities that would define The Coral Snakes' later output. The band reconvened in in 1990, but ongoing label instability delayed their next full release. By 1992, Graney and Moore had returned to Australia permanently amid Fire Records' receivership, which postponed the UK release of I Was the Hunter... And I Was the Prey until that year. The stable lineup now featured Graney, Moore, bassist Gordy Blair (later replaced by Andrew Picouleau in 1991), Hayward, and pianist Robin Casinader, enabling a series of polished recordings. Securing a publishing deal with that year provided funding for Night of the Wolverine (1993) on , a pivotal album blending noir storytelling, Hollywood glamour, and beat poetry influences, recorded in just three days at Metropolis Studios in . Subsequent releases included the live document Lure of the Tropics (1992) on Torn and Frayed Records, You Wanna Be There But You Don’t Wanna Travel (1994), The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound (1995), and The Devil Drives (1997), all under the ID/Mercury imprint, which elevated the band's production values and thematic depth exploring fame, identity, and escapism. The era's commercial breakthrough came with the single "You're Just Too Hip, Baby" from Night of the Wolverine, released in 1993. Its sly, ironic lyrics critiquing performative coolness resonated amid the dominance, offering a lush, alternative that fans embraced as a sonic respite. The accompanying video, featuring Graney's charismatic attire and surreal visuals, amplified its cultural footprint by parodying rock stardom and gaining rotation on Australian music television, helping propel the album's visibility despite a modest promotional budget. This track exemplified the band's peak mainstream appeal, with extensive touring—including support slots for —solidifying their presence in the Australian rock landscape through 1997.

Solo projects and band evolutions (1998–present)

Following the dissolution of the Coral Snakes in 1997, Dave Graney launched The Dave Graney Show in 1998, marking his transition to independent, post-major label work with a self-titled debut album released in November on . This lineup featured Graney on vocals and guitar, alongside Stuart Perera on guitar, Pickvance on bass, and Clare Moore on drums, emphasizing a looser, more experimental sound compared to his earlier band structures. The project continued with releases like The Brother Who Lived (2003) under the Royal Dave Graney Show moniker. In 2006, Graney and Moore released Keepin' It Unreal featuring Stu Thomas, capturing a raw, road-worn aesthetic. The ensemble further shifted in the to the Lurid Yellow Mist, a collective-oriented name that underscored Graney's fluid approach to lineup and style, producing works like We Wuz Curious in 2008. In recent years, Graney and Moore have primarily operated as the mistLY duo, stripping down to intimate, atmospheric recordings that highlight their long-standing partnership, including the 2021 album Everything Was Funny. Graney's solo-era output often explores themes of aging, personal mythology, and introspective narratives, as seen in his 2024 releases (strangely) (emotional) and I Passed Through Minor Chord in a Morning, both credited to Graney and Moore with Perera on guitar, delving into emotional landscapes and fragmented memories. These projects have included collaborations with artists like , who produced the 1988 EP At His Stone Beach, whose noir influences resonate in Graney's thematic depth. Throughout this period, Graney has maintained ongoing tours across , with regional and anniversary shows resuming post-COVID, such as the 2023 Night of the Wolverine anniversary tour and the 2025 The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound 30th anniversary tour. In 2025, Graney reunited with the Coral Snakes for a national tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, while international performances have remained limited due to global travel constraints.

Personal life

Relationship with Clare Moore

Dave Graney met Clare Moore in 1978 in , , during a rehearsal for the band Sputniks, where Moore served as the drummer. The pair quickly formed both a romantic and musical partnership, becoming one of Australian 's most enduring couples. Moore has been a core collaborator in Graney's career, playing drums and contributing as a co-writer across all major bands starting from the Moodists in 1980. Their professional synergy extended to subsequent groups like the White Buffalo and the Coral Snakes, where Moore's multi-instrumental skills on percussion, vibes, and keyboards shaped the band's sound. The shared creative process between Graney and Moore involves joint songwriting and production, with Moore often composing music for Graney's , as seen in tracks like "Don't Be True" from The Dave Graney Show (1999). This collaborative approach has influenced their lifestyle choices, fostering a nomadic existence with moves between and the tied to band opportunities, such as the Moodists' relocation to in 1983.

Relocations and lifestyle

Graney was born in , , and relocated to in 1978, where he formed early bands before moving to in 1980 with his musical collaborators. This shift to marked the beginning of a more urban phase in his life, aligning with the formation and activities of The Moodists. In October 1983, he and the band, including his long-time partner Clare Moore, relocated to , where they resided until late 1988, immersing themselves in the international scene despite challenges that eventually forced their return to . Following their return to Melbourne around 1988–1989, Graney and Moore briefly revisited the in 1990 for recording sessions before settling back in around 1990–1991, establishing it as their primary base thereafter. As of 2025, they continue to reside in the outer suburbs of , where they have lived since 1996. Occasional stays in , particularly in Victoria, have punctuated their lives, often tied to performances and a desire for respite from city intensity. Throughout these moves, their partnership with Moore has provided continuity, as they navigated relocations together. Graney's lifestyle reflects a bohemian , characterized by a outsider perspective and intellectual pursuits beyond music. His interests in , evident in references to James Cagney's portrayals and Horace McCoy's novels, literature through his own 1001 Australian Nights, and Western mythology—such as inspirations from Lt. Col. George Custer's autobiography in album titles like My Life on the Plains—have shaped a nomadic yet reflective . These elements contribute to a that blends street-level authenticity with mythic , influencing his personal habits without delving into overt professional outputs.

Artistic style and influences

Core musical influences

Dave Graney's early musical development was profoundly shaped by the psychedelic and scenes of the , particularly the raw energy of American bands like the Charlatans and , whose improvisational styles and countercultural ethos influenced his approach to song structure and live performance. pioneers, including acts such as and the early , further informed his affinity for gritty, narrative-driven rock that blended rebellion with poetic ambiguity. These influences emerged from his exposure to mid- psychedelic rock, both American and British, which he has cited as foundational to his sonic palette. In the post-punk era, Graney drew significant inspiration from Australian contemporaries like the Birthday Party and Nick Cave's early work with the Boys Next Door, admiring their intense, theatrical and dark lyricism during his time in Melbourne's underground scene. He frequently attended Birthday Party performances and has described their chaotic innovation as a key motivator for his own band's formation, the Moodists, emphasizing a shared rejection of conventional rock tropes in favor of visceral storytelling. This period solidified his interest in 's fusion of noise, emotion, and cultural critique. Broader influences from American folk and country traditions, including artists like , , and ensembles such as the Allman Brothers and , contributed to Graney's narrative depth and rhythmic grooves, evoking tales of wanderers and outsiders. These were complemented by an aesthetic draw to , rooted in mid-20th-century American crime literature and cinema, which infused his work with themes of moral ambiguity, betrayal, and shadowy urbanity. Additionally, Australian cultural elements, including mythology and lore, permeated his lyrics, reflecting a localized adaptation of mythic archetypes drawn from his rural South Australian upbringing and fascination with western tropes reimagined in an Australian context. Over his career, these core influences have evolved subtly, adapting to new genres while retaining their foundational imprint on Graney's eclectic songwriting.

Evolution across genres and themes

Dave Graney's musical style began in the late 1970s with The Moodists, where he contributed to a raw, intense sound often characterized by gothic undertones, marked by unsettling rhythms and dark, atmospheric lyrics that explored alienation and . This phase emphasized abrasive energy and minimalistic arrangements, reflecting the band's roots in Melbourne's punk scene before their relocation to in 1983. By the late 1980s, with the formation of The Coral Snakes, Graney's approach shifted toward a more refined, lyrical rock style infused with psychedelic elements drawn from country and R&B influences, such as those of , resulting in expansive, dreamy soundscapes on albums like Night of the Wolverine (1993). The 1990s saw further pop experimentation, incorporating catchy chord progressions and broader accessibility while maintaining narrative depth, as evident in the transitional instrumentation of The Soft 'N' Sexy Sound (1995), which blended rock with softer, more playful textures. Entering the 2000s, Graney's solo work embraced narrative-driven , prioritizing intimate, storytelling-focused recordings that evoked a sense of personal , as seen in projects like Heroic Blues (2002). Throughout these evolutions, recurring themes of identity—through persona shifts and self-reinvention—, as metaphors for life's journeys, and absurdity, via surreal lyrical vignettes like "Three Dead Passengers," provided conceptual continuity, grounding his eclectic output. In the , these motifs persisted in ambient-leaning releases such as I Passed Through Minor Chord In A Morning (2024), where Graney adapted to digital production techniques and duo formats with Clare Moore, yielding lo-fi, improvisational tracks that blend echoes with emotional, reflective narratives. In 2025, this was complemented by the 30th anniversary deluxe edition of The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, featuring b-sides and live recordings from the era, alongside a national reunion tour with the Coral Snakes that revisited the album's refined, playful rock style. This progression built upon his core influences, allowing stylistic fluidity while preserving thematic depth.

Other contributions

Acting and media appearances

Graney made a special guest appearance as himself in two episodes of the Australian soap opera Neighbours in April 1998, promoting his music in character as a lounge singer. He also appeared as himself in the 2017 documentary film The Go-Betweens: Right Here, discussing his connections to the Australian music scene. In addition to scripted roles, Graney performed live on Australian music television programs, including multiple appearances on Recovery during the late 1990s and early 2000s, where he showcased songs from The Dave Graney Show. These performances highlighted his lounge-style persona and contributed to his visibility in broadcast media. Graney has been active in radio and podcasting, hosting the weekly program Banana Lounge Broadcasting on Melbourne's Triple R FM since 2008, featuring contemporary Australian music and eclectic selections ongoing as of November 2025. He served as a guest on ABC Radio's The Drawing Room in July 2023, reflecting on the 30th anniversary of his album Night of the Wolverine. Other appearances include discussions on songwriting and his trajectory through 2025. Graney has engaged in live theater and spoken-word events, blending narrative delivery with musical accompaniment. In his 2013 release Point Blank (Narrative Show #1), he presented lyrical monologues supported by and percussion, emphasizing without guitar. He also hosted the "Poetry Jam" event at the Writers Festival in 2017, performing as a and raconteur with influences from music on his writing. These performances underscore his multifaceted artistic expression tied to literary themes.

Literary works and publications

Dave Graney's literary output spans memoirs, lyric collections, and reflective essays, often intertwining his experiences in the music industry with personal introspection. His debut book, It Is Written, Baby, published by Random House Australia in 1997, serves as a memoir chronicling his early years with the post-punk band The Moodists, featuring a collection of lyrics, poems, songs, and reflections accompanied by photographs, paintings, and memorabilia from that era. The work captures the raw energy of his formative musical period in the 1980s, blending explanatory commentary on his songwriting with visual elements to evoke the cultural and artistic milieu of Melbourne's underground scene. In , Graney released 1001 Australian Nights through Affirm Press, a hybrid of and fiction that traces his artistic evolution from a punk-inspired youth in small-town to a seasoned performer over three decades. The 320-page narrative eschews a linear structure, instead offering episodic vignettes of self-discovery, road trips, and encounters in the music landscape, highlighting themes of resilience and creative independence. This book marked Graney's first full-length prose , drawing on his 30-year career across 24 albums to explore the non-traditional path of a working artist. Graney's 2018 publication, Workshy, issued by Affirm Press, delves deeper into personal anecdotes and observations as a follow-up , subtitled My Life as a Bludge. Spanning his upbringing in , early influences like football and social identities, and career milestones from The Moodists' stint in the to Australian successes in the , the book critiques the and freelance existence while avoiding exhaustive timelines. It emphasizes Graney's strategies for evading conventional work, weaving in cultural reflections on the Australian music scene's evolution. Marking a return to lyric-focused writing, There He Goes with His Eye Out: Lyrics 1980-2023 was self-published by Graney in 2023 and sold directly through his platform as a 374-page . This comprehensive compiles from his entire catalog, from The Moodists onward, supplemented by notes on song intentions, production details, and chord progressions, thereby linking his prose directly to his songwriting process. The minimalist, all-text design underscores Graney's ongoing ties between literary and musical output, offering readers insight into the thematic continuity across his four-decade career.

Discography

Studio albums

Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes' debut EP At His Stone Beach (1988, Fire Records) introduced their stylish, genre-blending sound with tracks blending and lounge elements, recorded in with the core lineup including Clare Moore. Their first full-length album My Life on the Plains (1990, Fire Records) established narrative-driven songs with edges, produced during their period and featuring Moore on drums. I Was the Hunter and I Was the Prey (1992, Torn & Frayed) continued the band's cult appeal with introspective lyrics and raw energy, self-produced by Graney and Moore. Night of the Wolverine, released in April 1993 on Mercury Records, marked a breakthrough for the band with its raw rock sound and mythological themes drawn from American culture and personal storytelling. Produced by Graney, Clare Moore, and band members alongside engineer Tony Cohen, the album was recorded over three intensive days at Metropolis and Atlantis Studios in Melbourne, emphasizing a live-band energy in its 12 tracks. You Wanna Be There But You Don't Wanna Travel (1994, ) built on the band's rising profile with edges and narrative-driven songs, produced by the band during the Mercury era collaborations with Moore and the Snakes core members. The follow-up, The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound (1995, also on ), represented a commercial high point, achieving gold certification in for sales exceeding 35,000 copies and earning Graney the ARIA Award for Best Male Artist. Featuring the full Snakes lineup including Moore on drums and keyboards, the album shifted toward lush, ironic takes on and glamour, produced by the band to blend satire with melodic hooks. The final Coral Snakes outing, The Devil Drives (1997, ), closed the decade with introspective lyrics on and , produced in-house by Graney and Moore amid the band's . Featuring contributions from long-time collaborators like Rob Goodall on guitar, it signified a transition from major-label rock to more personal projects. Post-Coral Snakes, Graney and Moore's duo work began with the soundtrack album Bad Eggs (Music from the Motion Picture) (2003, Liberation Music), an original score blending electronic and rock elements for the Australian film, co-produced by the pair with a focus on atmospheric tension. Hashish and Liquor (2005, /), their first independent release on Graney and Moore's own label, explored psychedelic and lounge influences through 10 tracks, self-produced to emphasize intimate, hazy narratives. Keepin' It Unreal (2006, /) featured guest musician Stu D on keyboards, with Graney and Moore handling for a mix of electro-pop and songs that critiqued fame and . Under the moniker The Lurid Yellow Mist, We Wuz Curious (2008, Illustrious Artists/) incorporated band members like Stuart Perera on guitar, produced by Graney and Moore to deliver quirky, narrative rock with a sense of whimsical inquiry. Graney's solo effort Knock Yourself Out (2009, ) returned to personal songwriting, self-produced with Moore's input on drums, focusing on energetic rock tales of resilience and mischief. Rock 'n' Roll Is Where I Hide (2011, Liberation Music) reunited Graney with major distribution, produced with Moore and Perera, thematically celebrating rock's escapist power through raw, autobiographical lyrics. The solo Fearful Wiggings (2014, ) delved into experimental folk-rock, self-produced by Graney with Moore's percussion, emphasizing vulnerable, stream-of-consciousness themes. Let's Get Tight (2017, Cockaigne), a duo album with Moore, was produced by the pair to fuse jazz-inflected rock with tight, rhythmic explorations of intimacy and tension. The digital-only One Million Years DC (2019, Cockaigne) featured guest appearances and was self-produced, blending electronic and spoken-word elements in a futuristic, style. Everything Was Funny (2021, Cockaigne) signaled an indie shift with lo-fi production by Graney and Moore, incorporating Perera and Stu Thomas on a collection of humorous, reflective songs amid the pandemic era. In a Mistly (2022, ) continued the duo's independent output, produced with the mistLY band (Perera and Thomas), focusing on misty, atmospheric rock themes of memory and haze. In 2024, Graney and Moore released two albums on : (strangely)(emotional), a collaborative effort with emotional, genre-blending tracks self-produced by the duo, and I Passed Through Minor Chord in a Morning, featuring Stuart Perera and exploring quantum Americana motifs through 15 songs of introspective rock and electronics, produced by Graney, Moore, and Perera.

Live albums and compilations

Dave Graney's live recordings often capture the raw energy of his performances across decades, emphasizing his evolution from post-punk roots to more eclectic rock outings. One notable example is The Lure of the Tropics (1992), a live album with the Coral Snakes that showcases energetic renditions of tracks like "You Wanna Be Loved" during their Australian tour, highlighting Graney's charismatic stage presence and the band's tight instrumentation. In 2020, he released Dave Graney and Clare Moore with Robin Casinader in Concert (Live), recorded during a collaborative performance that blends Moore's percussion with Casinader's violin for an intimate, improvisational feel reflective of their ongoing partnership. Another 2020 live effort, With Georgio "the dove" Valentino and Malcolm Ross (Live), documents a tour collaboration featuring atmospheric guitar work and Graney's narrative-driven vocals, underscoring his adaptability in live settings. Additionally, play mistLY for me (2015), a digital collection of live recordings from shows in Adelaide, Newcastle, Katoomba, and Melbourne with the mistLY band, preserves spontaneous moments from their mid-2010s tours. Graney and frequent collaborator Clare Moore have contributed original scores to several Australian films and television projects, integrating their signature moody, atmospheric sound into visual narratives. They provided music for Johnny Ghost (2011), a thriller, where their compositions amplify the eerie, introspective tone with layered electronics and Moore's distinctive drumming. Further, their work appears in Lost Gully Road (2017), a , contributing tense, ambient pieces that heighten the story's isolation and dread. Graney's music has appeared on numerous compilations, often highlighting his influence in Australian and retrospectives. With the Coral Snakes, tracks from their era are compiled on The Mercury Years 1994-1997 (2013), which remasters key singles and album cuts like "Rock 'n' Roll Is Where I Hide" to illustrate their commercial peak. The 1999 compilation The Baddest collects standout moments from the band's early work, including live-wire performances that capture their raw, subversive edge. For his Moodists tenure, the anthology Two Fisted Art (2003, W. Minc) features seminal tracks like "Justice and Mercy," affirming the band's role in Australian indie scenes. More recently, up to 2024, Graney's early Moodists material has been included in broader compilations such as Can't Stop It! Australian 1978-82 (2005, Chapter Music), underscoring his foundational contributions to the genre's legacy.

EPs

Early in his career with The Moodists, Graney was involved in several EPs that defined the band's post-punk urgency. The EP Take the Red Carpet Out of Town (1985), released on the Tim/Abstract label, includes raw tracks like "Cryin' in the Chapel" captured during their London sessions, marking a transitional phase before the band's relocation. This was followed by the self-titled The Moodists EP (1986), featuring angular guitar riffs and Graney's dramatic vocals on songs such as "Pumper up the Jam," which encapsulated their cult appeal in the UK underground scene. Later, as a solo artist with the Coral Snakes, the EP I'm Gonna Release Your Soul (1994) became a commercial breakthrough, with its title track—a brooding, soul-inflected rocker—reaching the Australian charts and showcasing Graney's shift toward more accessible rock. Similarly, Feelin' Kinda Sporty (1997), an EP from the The Devil Drives sessions, delivered glam-tinged energy with its lead single, produced by Victor Van Vugt, and highlighted Graney's playful, ironic take on celebrity culture.

Awards and nominations

ARIA Awards

Dave Graney achieved notable recognition at the ARIA Awards during the , a decade that represented the height of his mainstream breakthrough in Australian music. He secured two wins and accumulated multiple nominations across various categories from 1993 to 1997, underscoring his innovative contributions to and pop. These accolades highlighted his distinctive style and growing commercial appeal, with albums like The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound earning gold certification alongside award success. In 1996, Graney won the ARIA Award for Best Male Artist for his album The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, an upset victory that beat established artists including Diesel and . The win celebrated the album's blend of lounge influences and sharp songwriting, produced in collaboration with the Coral Snakes. That same year, he received additional nominations for Best Cover Art and Best for the same project, further affirming its artistic impact. The following year, in 1997, Graney claimed the ARIA Award for Best Video for "Feelin' Kinda Sporty," directed by Tony Mahony and featuring his signature eccentric visuals. He was also nominated for Best Male Artist for The Devil Drives, though Paul Kelly took the honor that evening. Earlier nominations included Best Alternative Release in 1994 for Night of the and Best Video in 1995 for "I'm Gonna Release Your Soul." Overall, Graney's nine nominations during this period reflected his sustained presence and versatility in the industry, even as he navigated shifts between indie and pop realms.

Other Australian music awards

In addition to his ARIA successes, which contributed to his broader acclaim in Australian , Dave Graney received several regional and industry honors from state-based and specialized bodies, particularly highlighting his contributions in Victoria and during the and beyond. Graney earned recognition through the EG Awards, a Victorian event that evolved into the Music Victoria Awards in 2013, with nominations and wins in alternative and live performance categories during the and early 2010s. In 2011, he and his band the Lurid Yellow Mist were awarded Best Victorian Band at the EG Awards, celebrating their innovative and rock sound rooted in Melbourne's alternative scene. The following year, in 2012, Graney received a nomination for Best Solo Male Artist at the EG Awards, underscoring his enduring solo presence amid a competitive field of Victorian artists. Further nods came from APRA AMCOS, the Australasian Performing Right Association, for his songwriting and compositional work. In 2004, Graney and collaborator Clare Moore were nominated for Best Soundtrack Album at the Screen Music Awards for their original score to the film Bad Eggs, recognizing their contributions to Australian screen media through atmospheric, genre-blending music. Graney's later career honors emphasized his lifetime impact on Australian music, particularly from his South Australian roots. In December 2019, he and Moore were inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement, honoring over four decades of influential work from bands like the Moodists and the Coral Snakes to his solo endeavors, which blended rock, noir, and experimental elements. This induction highlighted his role in shaping independent Australian music post-2000, including ongoing releases and performances that sustained his cult following.

References

  1. https://www.portrait.gov.au/people/dave-graney-1959
  2. https://www.davegraney.com/General/bio.html
  3. https://www.aria.com.au/awards/past-winners/1996
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/13/dave-graney-reunites-the-coral-snakes-we-always-had-unfinished-business-with-the-world
  5. https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Dave-Graney/235321095
  6. https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A138458
  7. https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/arts/dave-graney-and-clare-moore-inducted-into-sa-hall-of-fame/news-story/a0551c18c152c7f6b8a262e37d8a99bb
  8. https://davegraney.blogspot.com/2023/11/my-record-collection-1976-last-year-of.html
  9. https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/on-the-road--with-dave-graney-20140703-zsqfs.html
  10. http://www.davegraney.com/david/primeval.html
  11. https://literaryminded.com.au/2011/04/11/1001-australian-nights-gerard-elson-interviews-dave-graney-part-one/
  12. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/singer-songwriter-dave-graney-celebrates-30-years-in-the-busines/7758336
  13. https://neptunewakes.wordpress.com/2022/04/30/geeking-out-on-gear-with-dave-graney/
  14. http://historyofaussiemusic.blogspot.com/2015/05/sputniks.html
  15. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1837139-Sputniks
  16. https://www.davegraney.com/moodists/Moodistsbio.htm
  17. https://trouserpress.com/reviews/moodists/
  18. https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/dave-graney-the-coral-snakes-night-of-the-wolverine/102087984
  19. https://www.davegraney.com/luridyellowmist/firststory.htm
  20. https://davegraney1.bandcamp.com/album/dave-graney-and-clare-moore-strangely-emotional
  21. https://davegraney1.bandcamp.com/album/i-passed-through-minor-chord-in-a-morning
  22. https://www.davegraney.com/General/live.htm
  23. https://www.songkick.com/artists/411432-dave-graney-and-clare-moore/calendar
  24. http://www.davegraney.com/clare/clare_pastadv.htm
  25. https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/dave-graney-and-clare-moore-20051118-gdmgqk.html
  26. http://www.davegraney.com/david/flyshit1.html
  27. https://www.facebook.com/davegraneymusic/posts/dave-graney-and-the-white-buffaloes-1989-clare-moore-and-i-had-been-told-to-leav/1095492945911887/
  28. https://www.i94bar.com/interviews/3418-bringing-back-that-soft-n-sexy-sound
  29. https://fortemagazine.com.au/the-best-gigs-happening-across-regional-victoria-this-april/
  30. https://www.davegraney.com/david/WORKSHY.html
  31. https://questingbeastscrawl.blogspot.com/2014/12/all-lit-up-down-under-chat-about-words.html
  32. http://davegraney.com/General/faq.html
  33. https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/dave-graney/152909447
  34. https://offstreetpress.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/interview-dave-graney/
  35. https://davegraney.blogspot.com/2019/06/
  36. http://www.davegraney.com/moodists/themoodistsandpals2.htm
  37. https://newbootsandpanties.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/dave-graney/
  38. https://shespeaksadifferentlanguage.wordpress.com/2018/08/21/dave-graney/
  39. https://australianmusician.com.au/dave-graney-clare-moore-soft-n-sexy-sound-album-30th-anniversary-interview/
  40. https://www.davegraney.com/General/shops.html
  41. https://davegraney1.bandcamp.com/album/i-passed-through-minor-chord-in-a-morning-2
  42. https://open.spotify.com/album/3qetGjPcoXvHCMr347bSW0
  43. https://watch.plex.tv/person/dave-graney
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j94JsfPZmOI
  45. https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/presenters/dave-graney
  46. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/drawingroom/dave-grany/102652124
  47. https://davegraney1.bandcamp.com/album/point-blank-narrative-show-1
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CId4gDGHgI
  49. https://books.google.com/books/about/It_Is_Written_Baby.html?id=ydI6AgAACAAJ
  50. https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/1001-Australian-Nights/Dave-Graney/9780980790436
  51. https://davegraney1.bandcamp.com/merch/there-he-goes-with-his-eye-out-lyrics-1980-2023
  52. https://www.discogs.com/release/9045194-Dave-Graney-With-The-Coral-Snakes-Im-Gonna-Release-Your-Soul
  53. https://www.discogs.com/artist/272474-Dave-Graney-The-Coral-Snakes
  54. https://www.indailysa.com.au/inreview/archive/2023/08/11/dave-graney-celebrates-30-years-of-breakthrough-album-wolverine
  55. https://davegraney1.bandcamp.com/album/dave-graney-n-the-coral-snakes-night-of-the-wolverine
  56. https://www.discogs.com/release/5888792-Dave-Graney-With-The-Coral-Snakes-You-Wanna-Be-There-But-You-Dont-Wanna-Travel-Unbuttoned
  57. https://www.i94bar.com/news/3408-thirty-years-later-the-sound-is-still-soft-n-sexy
  58. https://www.discogs.com/release/7363917-David-Graney-And-Clare-Moore-Bad-Eggs-Music-From-The-Motion-Picture
  59. https://www.discogs.com/artist/276110-Dave-Graney
  60. https://www.discogs.com/release/32719344-Dave-Graney-Clare-Moore-Stuart-Perera-I-Passed-Through-Minor-Chord-In-A-Morning
  61. https://davegraney.blogspot.com/2024/11/i-passed-through-minor-chord-in-morning.html
  62. https://www.discogs.com/release/8992116-Dave-Graney-The-Coral-Snakes-The-Lure-Of-The-Tropics
  63. https://www.davegraney.com/General/playmistLY.html
  64. https://www.discogs.com/release/4786405-Dave-Graney-The-Coral-Snakes-The-Mercury-Years-1994-1997
  65. https://www.discogs.com/release/1688393-Dave-Graney-N-The-Coral-Snakes-The-Baddest
  66. https://www.discogs.com/release/1656556-The-Moodists-Two-Fisted-Art-1980-1986
  67. https://www.discogs.com/release/26911010-Various-Cant-Stop-It-Australian-Post-Punk-1978-82
  68. https://davegraney1.bandcamp.com/track/feelin-kinda-sporty
  69. https://redroompoetry.org/poets/dave-graney/
  70. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUOAF0odf6c
  71. https://www.aria.com.au/awards/past-winners/1997
  72. https://www.aria.com.au/awards/past-winners/1995
  73. https://www.aria.com.au/awards/past-winners/1994
  74. https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/gotye-and-wagons-dominate-2011-eg-awards-20111124-1nwmr.html
  75. https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/awards-2012-nominations-announced-induct-weddings-parties/
  76. https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/awards/screen-music-awards-2004
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