The Shiny Brights

Adelaide’s beloved indie-rock group, The Shiny Brights, have gone from strength to strength since their ‘unearthing’ by Triple J in 2009. The good-looking, five-piece have supported the likes of the Wombats, The Living End, The Grates and The Vines – just to name a few – and have now added Strange Talk to the list. Known to have a significant and energetic stage presence, the boys lived up to their great reputation, with special mention going out to lead singer Wolfgang Marwe for his manic, convulsing dance(?) moves. He was flirting with a very fine line between an incredibly passionate rock star and a possible epileptic, but I feel that he pulled of the rock star side of things in the end. Well done Mr Marwe. Set highlights came in the form of Take No More, Not Too Old, Let’s Not and Say We Did and crowd favourite, Electric Tigerland. These boys seem to be doing everything right and I am excited to see where they go next - Fasterlouder.com.au

“This one for me really encapsulates how well The Shiny Brights write a really good, catchy indie-pop tune”

- Triple J Unearthed Podcast (Dom Alessio)

After spending 2008 winning bands comps like they were going out of fashion, The Shiny Brights have gone on to tour in support of acts including The Wombats and The Living End. Oozing a catchiness and energy that most indie-rock outfits could only dream of attaining, it’s easy to see why this Adelaide five piece has enjoyed such a rapid propulsion up the musical ladder.

Picking highlights out of EP, Too Many Chiefs, is easy as ABC. Lulls are non-existent and each tune brings something new to the table whilst remaining firmly within stylistic reach of each other. Take No More and Can We Go Back are rollicking pop gems. The latter is laced with urgent post-punk guitar flourishes and reaches an uplifting crescendo via a multi-pronged vocal attack. No London is an instantly accessible number which sounds effortless in its delivery despite containing subtle changes of time and a smorgasbord of hooks.

At 22 minutes, Too Many Chiefs makes for short, sweet and blissful listening. One feels these talented South Australians wouldn’t have it any other way.


- X-Press Magazine (Josh F Hayes)

2010 Fuse Festival in Adelaide

"Highlights of the 2010 Fuse Festival included previous Unearthed winners The Shiny Brights destroying Rocket Bar" - Triple J Home and Hosed Blog (Nick Findlay)

"A solid rockin' pop track with lotsa hooks". 4 out of 5 stars
- Triple J (Dan Buhagiar)

"You guys really know what you're doing and also how to craft driving, hooky jams. I especially like the subtle atmospheric touches that take this beyond your average indie garage track to something really quite strong." - 4 out of 5 stars - Triple J (Dave Ruby Howe)

"Apart from the dancing 16DD girl in a strapless number whose nipples kept bouncing out to say hello, no one else at HQ last Friday night held the audience’s attention like The Shiny Brights’ frontman Wolfgang Marwe. Launching their second EP Too Many Chiefs with a pivotal performance at a venue previously known for hosting international acts such as Interpol, Doves and Tegan & Sara. It must be a pretty cool feeling for a motley bunch of local muckers knowing they’ve got more people at their HQ gig than Primal Scream and The Streets managed.

Originally slated to be their debut album, the scaled back tracklisting of Too Many Chiefs does nothing to pare back the palpable intent. The six songs that make the cut have been regularly played in live sets around Adelaide for 18 months, which might make locals blasé about the export quality band in their midst. It’s too bad - fresh ears in the eastern states are sure to be blown away by The Shiny Brights and their tight tunes.

The quintet’s second EP has more punch than a Hollywood frat party. No London is the perfect car crash of Bloc Party and The Strokes’ influence, Not Too Old is a riotous pop celebration of cougar love and Can We Go Back melds a misty-eyed chorus with an ace finale.

The title of Too Many Chiefs tellingly hints at the internal struggles that have driven – but ultimately fractured – some of the pop greats. If The Shiny Brights can keep it together and set their sights on a common goal, this second EP should open doors, legs and record label cheque books. They have their gimmicks (you can put away your Indian headdress now, Wolf), but you won’t see a better Australian live act in 2010. Not even the bouncing corset girl with the sociable jugs." - Rip It Up Magazine (Editor Scott McLennan)

THE WOMBATS support @The Gov

"You'd think the combination of this dreadfully cold Adelaide winters night would inhibit The Shiny Brights in their task of warming up the crowd. It did not. The energy of this young band lit up not only the stage but captivated the crowd from their opening song. Frontman Wolfgang seems so natural at strutting his stuff on stage and he does have his share of charisma, but his real contribution to the band is a voice of striking strength and quality. Although he declined to reveal what 'Golden Shoes and Lollipops' was about, it really didn't matter; like so much of their material, its just damn catchy pop/rock." - dB Magazine (Scott Berry)

"These guys still have a raw edge to them, but the sounds and ideas they have going - especially in this track (Notebook) - show that The Shiny Brights are a band to watch from SA - keen to hear what they come up with next."
- Triple J (Nick Findlay)

“Whichever way you choose to look them, there’s no doubt that this burgeoning Adelaide fivesome are one of SA’s most promising live acts to hit the local scene. After two years of ad hoc live shows and plenty of fan girls in between, the group have now set their sights on a bigger musical repertoire with the release of their first official EP – ‘Let’s Not And Say We Did’. As far as Adelaide penned EPs go, the majority more often than not misses rather than hits, this one’s a real gem... Proving that their unprecedented teenage energy extends from stage to disc, the Shiny Brights attest to be more than just your average lo-fi indie group. Though its still baby steps at this stage with the band still currently unsigned, ‘Let’s Not And Say We Did’ is the perfect taster to what this band can give.” - fasterlouder.com.au (Miranda Freeman)

FANS CLUB NIGHT @Alhambra Lounge

"I went to check out ‘Fans night‘ at Alhambra, and saw The Shiny Brights (Adelaide), Stature: Statue (Brisbane), Hungry Kids Of Hungary (Brisbane) and Young & Restless (Melbourne)... The Shiny Brights is a name I think you’ll be hearing a lot of in the future. Well structured, indie rock style songs with super catchy choruses. They were my fave of the evening."

- Brisbane Courier Mail (Candi Brizbands)

YOU AM I support @ The Westland Hotel, Whyalla

"Way back when – the early naughties to be exact – You Am I took a relatively unknown Australian band on the road. The band in question was The Vines. In 2002 you couldn’t escape the “saviours of rock – œn’ roll” slogan going around then, which included the likes of The Strokes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The Vines took on the world and won with their debut album Highly Evolved. Fast Forward to 2009 and we have another contender, The Shiny Brights. Although more on the pop side of rock than say The Vines or The Strokes, the Shiny Brights will be a band to look out for come 2010.

The Shiny Brights hail from Adelaide and have only recently returned from a festival slot in the UK. A huge accomplishment for a band with only a handful of songs. I knew little about this band but I am now sold. Lead singer Wolfgang Marwe is the perfect frontman to gee up a crowd and I wouldn’t mind him on my drinking team because I reckon he could knock a few back! He has more energy than a grade 5 class on red cordial; bounding from band member to band member singing his heart out. Watch this space.

You Am I were brilliant but look out for The Shiny Brights." - fasterlouder.com.au

YOU AM I support @The Zoo

"The JD Set is an admirable concept: two unknown, up-and-coming Aussie outfits given the chance to tour the country in support of the great You Am I.
Adelaide’s The Shiny Brights are first up, and their post-punk sound with occasional ska flashes is solid, tight and well-constructed." - Time Off Magazine (M.P. Daly)

"I wasn't so sure at the start of this track. But by the end of it I was waving my hands in the air. That's a killer chorus " 4 out of 5 stars - Triple J (Richard Kingsmill)