Sometime in 1998 in a dark and sweaty egg-carton encrusted practice room, Steve Reay, Simon Maclaren and Andrew “Hat” Meier were jamming. “Steve played feedback through everything, Hat played the road beat,” says Maclaren, “It was neither bluesy or alt-countryish and something was in the air.”
And he was right, but for once it wasn’t the trademark fetid odour of that notoriously poorly ventilated practice room. Not only was it a musical watershed moment. Those present all proved pivotal in the formation of The Subliminals as the band came together through mutual friends and acquaintances.
The distinctive macabre masks worn by the band in an early photo shoot were made by Chris Knox out of twine and duct tape.
The line-up of Hat, Maclaren and Reay played a small number of shows as Dirt before the formation of The Subliminals.
Simon Maclaren - guitar, vocals
Steve Reay - guitar, vocals
Brendan Moran - drums
Jared Johanson - bass