Supercharger (band)

Supercharger are an Australian band that combine contemporary rock melodies with elements of heavy metal. The band is best described as a Hard Rock outfit. Members include Gary Trovato (lead vocals/guitar), Frank Vadala (drums/vocals), Matt Pocock (lead guitar/vocals) and John Boland (bass).

Origins

Formed in 2001 under the name "Drowning Girl", the band made waves across the local Melbourne metal scene with the album, "Vision for the Blind" (independent release 2003). The album showcased an array of musical influences and utilised a unique blend of drop-tuned guitars, double-pedal style drumming and smooth vocals. A video clip was filmed for the single, "Fade" (which featured Australian Idol contestant, Susie Gortichan, on vocals) and received considerable airplay on Australian television. Despite the attention the band received for "Vision for the Blind", the album was considered to be somewhat inconsistent - featuring everything from power-pop ballads such as "So Confused", to late-eighties style thrash-metal tunes like "Seeds of Dissension". In 2004, founding members Frank Vadala and Gary Trovato renamed the band "Supercharger" and re-shuffled the band line-up to introduce Matt Pocock and John Boland on lead guitar and bass respectively.

Reckoning Day

With a steady line-up in place and a solid songwriting core firmly established, Supercharger began work on a follow-up album, entitled "Reckoning Day" (essentially this album would be regarded as the debut "Supercharger" album). "Reckoning Day" was finally released in March 2006 and was warmly received by fans and radio stations alike. Learning from the prior experience of "Vision for the Blind", Supercharger established a signature sound which resonated throughout every single track on the album. "Reckoning Day" saw the band merge together elements of commercial rock and heavy metal with considerable success.

The single, "Make It Back" proved to be a hit with fans of more radio-friendly rock and reached the no.1 position on the Australian MP3 Charts (recording over 8000 downloads in a 3 week period). However, it was the release of the follow-up singles "Jaded", "Bring You Down" and "Cruel Deception" which solidified Supercharger's status as a Hard Rock/Metal standout on the Australian music scene.

Supercharger are currently touring across Australia in support of "Reckoning Day" and recently performed two memorable shows at The Palace and The Hi Fi Bar which were filmed and recorded for a possible release. The band are also in the process of writing material for a new studio album intended for a late 2007 release. Three new songs, "Separate", "Judgment Day" and "Believe" have been added to the band's setlist at recent shows.

Discography

Vision for the Blind

Released: December 2003

Track listing:

1 - Fade

2 - Don't Wanna Hear It

3 - Left Behind

4 - So Confused

5 - Dear Friend

6 - Seeds of Dissension

7 - Drowning Girl

Bonus Tracks

8 - Don't Wanna Hear It (Radio Edit)

9 - Seeds of Dissension (instrumental remix)

Reckoning Day

Released: March 2006

Track Listing:

1 - Drowning Girl

2 - Jaded

3 - Make It Back

4 - Cruel Deception

5 - Don't Wanna Hear It

6 - Fade

7 - Bring You Down

8 - Do Or Die

9 - Infuriate

Bonus Tracks

10 - Jaded (Symphony Mix)

11 - Fade (Radio Edit)

Trivia

- Both "Vision for the Blind" and "Reckoning Day" were produced by Endel Rivers, an Australian heavy metal producer who is well-renowned for producing albums for notable Australian Metal groups such as "Black Majesty", "Vanishing Point", "Eyefear" and "Supremacy"

- A number of Supercharger songs such as "Make It Back", "Drowning Girl" feature in the upcoming movie, "Scary Legends". In addition, Supercharger have written and recorded several mini-songs to be featured in the movie

- Gary Trovato and John Boland recently teamed up with Melbourne-based Producer/Songwriter, Rob Care to record a number of songs for an artistic roller skating documentary entitled, "Jesus Cant Skate". Visit www.jesuscantskate.com for more info.

- "Make It Back" was included on a bonus DVD which accompanied an issue of APC Magazine, an Australian Computer Magazine.

- "Make It Back" was also used as the title song for an Australian variety television show called, "The Sauce"

- In 2004, Gary Trovato co-wrote a song which was featured as the title song for an Australian music variety show called "Vocal Art TV".

- In early 2007 guitarist/voclaist, Gary Trovato began work on his first solo project, "Breathe". The side-project embraces a more commercial pop/rock sound and features fellow Supercharger members Frank Vadala and John Boland on drums and bass respectively.

Official Website

The Official Supercharger Website

Related Sites

The Official Supercharger Myspace Page

The Official Supercharger MP3 Page

Matt Pocock's Website