A Brisbane based, earthy Rock quintet that rode the Grunge wave by virtue of a distinctive songwriting character and the rich vocal stylings of frontman BERNARD FANNING. In Australia POWDERFINGER is an act of deserved major status yet attempts to crack the lucrative North American market proved a much tougher proposition despite the undoubted quality and character of the group. POWDERFINGER, titled after a track on NEIL YOUNG's 'Rust Never Sleeps' album, came together in 1989 as a collection of school friends vocalist / guitarist Ian Haug- having previously played with formative acts THE VIBRANTS and THE FOSSILS, bassist John Collins and drummer Steven Bishop. However, during 1992 Bishop's place was taken by Jon Coghill with new draftees former altar boy and then economics student Bernard Fanning on lead vocals and second guitarist Darren Middleton, previously with PIRATE and SONIC TAPESTRY, also signing up.

The group self financed two EPs in 1993, an eponymous effort and September's 'Transfusion', the latter taking the top spot on Australia's Alternative charts, knocking NIRVANA's 'Heart Shaped Box' from the number 1 position. POWDERFINGER, courted by several major labels, signed to the Polydor label for the debut 'Parables For Wooden Ears' album released in August 1994. However, their promising start would be stifled by a swathe of bad reviews and the record's sales were so low Polydor, it is mooted, even considered dropping the band. Apparently the loyalty of their A&R department saved the day and in 1995 the EPs 'Save Your Skin' and 'Mr. Kneebone' did much to restore confidence.

POWDERFINGER would turn the situation around and by albums number two and three, the 1996 offering 'Double Allergic' and 1998's 'Internationalist', were regular visitors to the upper rankings of the Australian charts. 'Double Allergic', backed by hit singles 'Pick You Up' and 'D.A.F.', entered the charts at no. 7 and struck the platinum tally three times whilst 'Internationalist' scored four platinum awards. However, so strong were sales of 'Double Allergic' that it would peak on the charts a year after its release at no.4.

Promoting the 'Internationalist', which entered the national charts at the coveted no. 1 spot, POWDERFINGER toured Australia in November backed by British band SWERVEDRIVER and Queensland's NOT FROM THERE. Ian Haug made time to form up a side concern dubbed F.O.C., this act being an alliance with former GO BETWEENS man Grant McLennan, TURTLEBOX's Ross MacLennan, Adele Pickvance and Matt Murphy. A single, 'Don't Blame The Beam', scored Haug a sizeable Australian radio hit. Meantime Darren Middleton, taking on the frontman role, activated DRAG whilst Jon Coghill busied himself with SHOCK FUNGUS.

POWDERFINGER donated tracks to the soundtrack of the Australian movie 'Two Hands' as well as a take on DURAN DURAN's 'The Chauffeur' for a tribute album in 1999. Touring would prove frustrating though as sell out shows would be cancelled due to Fanning contracting a severe bronchial infection. Gigs scheduled for July would be held over to September. The 'Internationalist' served the band proud at the Aria awards winning the 'Best Rock album', 'Best album' and 'Best cover art' categories. The single 'Day You Come' also won out in the 'Best single' listings.

The band's October 2000 Australian tour, supported by MAGIC DIRT, reinforced the band's status with concerts quickly selling out, Sydney in less than an hour. The group also managed to put in a short burst of UK gigs that November. POWDERFINGER's 2000 album 'Odyssey Number Five', produced by Nick DiDia and landing the group a second no. 1, was to surpass the platinum sales mark in Australia no less than five times over and would be promoted heavily in the States. The single 'Like A Dog' featured a notable cover of the PSYCHEDELIC FURS 'Love My Way'. After a run of festival appearances at the 2001 Australian 'Big Day Out' events the band toured as support to COLDPLAY in the USA. Further exposure came their way as they gained inclusion with the song 'My Kinda Scene' on the high profile 'Mission Impossible 2' soundtrack album. Back in their homeland POWDERFINGER were nominated for no less than 8 Aria industry awards and ended up walking off with a total of 6 trophies.

2003's 'Vulture Street' proved a genuine musical renaissance for the band as they began to explore Seventies style, roots Blues Rock. Following a double live album, POWDERFINGER returned in 2005, appearing at the January 29th 'Wave Aid' event at the Sydney Cricket Ground in order to raise funds for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunamis. BERNARD FANNING issued his debut solo album, 'Tea & Sympathy', in October.