Formed in Melbourne back in 1994, the Living End is an Australian rock band fronted by guitarist and vocalist Chris Cheney, and bassist Scott Owen. Originally known as The Runaway Boys, their early work was deeply rooted in the rockabilly style of artists such as the Stray Cats. The band debuted with their EP Hellbound in 1995, featuring the standout track “Headlines.” Over the years, they underwent lineup changes, notably with drummer Travis Demsey stepping in to replace Joe Piripitzi, further solidifying their musical direction.
Into the late 1990s, The Living End finally attracted mainstream attention, their double A-sided single “Second Solution / Prisoner of Society”, was released in January 1998. It peaked at No.4 on the ARIA Singles Chart with sales of more than 140,000 copies and became the highest-selling Australian single of the decade. Their self-titled debut album, which came in October 1998, not only reached No.1 on the ARIA Albums Chart but also earned them two ARIA awards, including Best Group and Breakthrough Artist – Album in 1999.
The band’s musical style is a unique fusion of punk rock, rockabilly, and elements of 1970s pub rock, heavily influenced by the likes of the Ramones and Elvis Presley. Musical diversity came through Cheney and Owen’s contrasting backgrounds, while Cheney sought to reach beyond their breakout single in this work. Other albums which made them finally settle in were Roll On-2000 and Modern ARTillery-2003; this included several hit singles “Pictures in the Mirror” and “Who’s Gonna Save Us?” which ultimately boosted their credibility both nationally and worldwide.
Throughout their career, The Living End has received numerous accolades, including 27 nominations at the ARIA Music Awards, winning five. Noteworthy albums such as State of Emergency (2006) and White Noise (2008) not only reached the top of the charts but also represented the band’s musical development and change in sound, while remaining true to their punk influences. Their socially aware lyrics easily merge with ideas of modern issues that are quintessential for the punk genre.
Along with their commercial success, The Living End has made a strong impact on the Australian music landscape. They hold the record for the most consecutive entries in Triple J’s Hottest 100 from 1997 to 2006 and have been acknowledged as one of the pioneers of the punkabilly genre, influencing a new generation of musicians. Their self-titled album was voted number four in Triple J’s Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time, further cementing their legacy. And despite the setbacks-which even included a car accident in 2001 involving Cheney that made them go on a temporary hiatus, The Living End was able to tour incessantly and publish new materials. Their eighth studio album, Wunderbar, reached the No. 3 position in the ARIA charts upon its release in 2018. The Living End remains one of the important enforcers in today’s rock landscape, both by their dynamic stage performances and in efforts toward boundary-stretching, along with commentary related to contemporary themes.
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