From the Inside (band)
From the Inside was an Australian hard rock band that played for 6 years in the Australian music scene without being signed to a major label, well-known for its member-hopping tendencies.
History
Formation and early period
The group was formed in working class Dandenong, Melbourne in 1997 by school friends Ben Licht and Andre Dumas, who recruited local drummer Luke Brown (also a school friend of Licht and Dumas). As of 1997 there was a line-up of Ben Licht [guitar], vocalist Joey Biro, Luke Brown [drums], Gavin Born [bass guitar] and Andre Dumas [lead guitar]. The band cut its teeth in the early years playing everywhere and anywhere it could; this was to hold them in good stead for the future when they finally made a name for themselves in the Melbourne music scene for their tight and hard performances. The group recorded and released one self-titled EP until Dumas left the band to join Vanessa Amorosi and was replaced by Les Biro, also known as Fez (brother of vocalist Joey Biro). The band started to gain a following around the turn of the millennium though a very strong live work ethic and recorded a debut album, South of the River, intended to be released on DW Norton of Superheist's label Faultline through Shock Records in 2001. This followed a stint of very successful live gigs in Melbourne, with the band playing around 100 gigs in the year leading up to DW Norton's involvement in getting the band on to Faultline Records. During this time the band also played on channel 31's New, here, now live program, belting out 3 songs ("Sin Again," "Against You" and "Three Fold") on what might have been the loudest appearance by a band in the show's history. Also the band were invited to play at Beat Magazine's 10th birthday celebrations, which was noted as one of the band's finest shows (with Biro as singer) and performed in front of the entire music media of Melbourne. The band supported Superheist on part of their Victorian tour for the Prize Recruit Record, and also went over to Adelaide to play some shows with Clone-B and Screwface 13. This was to be the start of many trips that the band made to the city over their career.
History and lineup changes
At the end of 2001 Joey Biro was approached to take over the singing role for Superheist and Gavin Born left soon after, replaced by Nathan Laidler. Adrian Addamo was hired as singer and the band released their first national EP The Level through MGM in October 2002. The band launched their EP to a nearly sold out Corner Hotel in Melbourne, a show in which saw the band briefly re-unite with old singer Biro on stage for a version of "Sin Again," a crowd favorite when Biro was a member. The CD grew their fan base considerably, helped along by the press from the Superheist situation and From the Inside toured nationally in support of bands such as Testeagles, Cog, and the Butterfly Effect. Les Biro left the band in 2002 and was replaced by Nathan Addamo, brother of Adrian. From the Inside played the Broadford Festival (a gig organised by the Hells Angels) and Anzac Day Anarchy during this time, as well as several trips to South Australia and New South Wales. FTI headed into the studio in early 2003 to record their 2nd EP with their new lineup, "Alfresco in the Valley'' album was released in part on MP3.com and was doing well; however, the band had reached a stalemate by October 2003 due to inactivity and Addamo living in Queensland due to work commitments. Drummer Luke Brown announced his departure and left the band after his final show at the Corner Hotel in late October 2003. This left Ben Licht as the only founding member of the group and the band unofficially folded in early 2004. The band briefly re-united for a charity gig in November 2005 in order to rise money for a friend of singer Addamo's who was disabled and in need of a wheelchair. It was officially the last time the band ever played live.
Members
- Ben Licht, guitar 1997 - 2003
- Luke Brown, drums 1997 - 2003
- Gavin Born, bass guitar 1997 - 2001
- Andre Dumas, guitar 1997 - 1999
- Joey Biro, vocals 1997 - 2001
- Adrian Addamo (replaced J. Biro), vocals 2001 - 2003
- Nathan Laidler,(replaced Born) bass 2001 - 2003
- Les Biro, bass (replaced Dumas) 1998 - 2002
- Nathan Addamo, guitar (replaced L. Biro) 2002- 2003
Discography
EPs and Singles
Compilations
- The Level, Bring tha Noise 2002
- Glass Houses, PBS FM Rock 'N' Heavy 2003