Draft:The Disables (Band)

The Disables (Band)
The Disables are an Australian punk rock band from Brisbane.

History
Formed by guitarist and vocalist Jud Campbell in December 1998, the original band lineup was a trio and featured Dickie (James Pearce) on bass and Adam Stacheel on drums. The Disables played their first gig at the Melbourne Hotel in West End. Brentyn 'Rollo' Rollason of Blowhard commented that Pearce never took his hat off and bore a resemblance to the hat-wearing character Dickie Knee from Hey Hey It's Saturday. Subsequently, Pearce came to be known in the band as 'Dickie.'

As Stacheel didn't own a drumkit, it became increasingly challenging for the band to rehearse and he was eventually replaced by Japanese drummer Yugo, who was concurrently drumming for Sausage Chopper. Soon after, Matt Bach concurrent of Knaw, joined on second guitar, completing the fourpiece lineup of Jud, Bach, Dickie and Yugo.

Sometime in 2000, Dickie left and was replaced on bass by Eddie (Eduard Niznik). Soon after, Yugo's struggles with mental health brought about his departure and he was replaced by Gareth Naylor. With Jud, Bach, Eddie and Gareth, the band recorded their first EP at OPM Studios in November 2000 with Dan Vistar. The CD was originally untitled and given away for free at gigs, but over time, the EP gained the moniker "The Black Hearts EP."

Bach eventually left to focus on Knaw, and was replaced by Shakey Pete (Pete Armstrong) of Ipswich band Farmer's Handshake. On 8 September, 2003, "The Lackey Country" EP was released via Waterfront Records. Waterfront's artist info page stated:"The Disables have set a standard for playing passionate anthemic punk rock. Combining the style of the late seventies with the energy of the present, they have been quick to build a large following in their home town of Brisbane earning them the supports of bands including Dropkick Murphys, The Hives, US Bombs, Unwritten Law, MXPX and The Ataris. 'The Lackey Country' EP is the first nationally distributed release from The Disables."In 2004, Eddie left the band and Hamish temporarily filled in for him while the band held auditions for a permanent replacement. Helping to get the word out about the band's need for a bass player, The Disables' manager DJ Wendt gifted a copy of "The Lackey Country" to a punk fan working in the Best Cellars bottle shop in Fortitude Valley, who had a brother that played bass. Ben Murrell encouraged Gusman (Angus Murrell) to audition. Auditions were held on 10 July, 2004, at Station 13 rehearsal studios in Coorparoo. The Disables had a month-long residency, playing at the "dance to guitars" venue Number 12 (12 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley) and Hamish and Gusman shared bass-duties, before Gusman was appointed as permanent bass player.

Pre-production for a full-length album began on 7 August, 2004, at Black Box Studios Newstead, with Jeff Lovejoy. "Nuthin' For No One" was released on 22 August, 2005, via Sydney label Resist Records. The band played an album launch gig at The Orient Hotel, Brisbane CBD, 10 September, 2005.

Over the years, The Disables have played gigs alongside international bands such as Offspring, NOFX, The Dropkick Murphys, Descendents, The Bouncing Souls, The Hives, Less Than Jake, US Bombs, Unwritten Law, MXPX, Strung Out, Flogging Molly, Tiger Army, Useless ID, The Explosion, The Unseen, The Ataris, Dayglo Abortions and Not Quite Right (NZ).

The Disables have shared the stage alongside local legends Blowhard, H-Block 101, Frenzal Rhomb, Bodyjar, Amyl and the Sniffers, Clowns, The Bennies, Sydney City Trash, No Idea, Spent Shells, Topnovil, Run For Cover, The Tearaways, Paddy McHugh and the Goldminers, Dick Nasty, Community Cervix, Sausage Chopper, The Black Market, The Dangermen, Draft Dodger, JJ Speedball, Shandy, Steve Towson and the Conscripts, The Wayne Keys Show, The Wrath, The Quickening, Mouthguard, Dreamkillers, Toerag, Deputy Dipshit, Leopard Street Droogs, Unpaid Debt, Steppin Razor, Yidcore, Zombie Ghost Train, Bewilderbomb, Army of Champions, The Vagrants, Spitfire Liar, Pagan, Goon on the Rocks, Flangipanis, The Cutaways, Copius, Ruined State, The Go Set, Handsome Young Strangers, Slurpee Jerks, Square Tugs, and, Shakey Pete and the Goodna Goodtime Band.

The band have played festivals such as 4ZZZ Market Day, Livid (2002), Big Day Out, Children of the Swarm (2005), Come Together (2006), Shed 5, Soundwave (2007), Dead of Winter (2013), and Punkfest (2022).

Band Members
Current Members


 * Jud Campbell – Vocals, guitar
 * Pete Armstrong (Shakey Pete) – Vocals, guitar (2001–Present)
 * Angus Murrell (Gusman) – Bass, backing vocals (2004–2008; 2013–present)
 * Tommy Kreeper – Drums (2019–present)

Former Members


 * Pete Bosworth (Bos) – Drums (2007–2019)
 * Dave Riley – Bass (2008–2013)
 * Alistair Caswell (Fizzy Al) – Drums (2006)
 * Gareth Naylor (Gary Nay) – Drums (?–2006)
 * Hamish – Bass (2004)
 * Eduard Niznik (Eddie) – Bass (2001–2004)
 * Matt Bach – Guitar, vocals (2001–?)
 * James Pearce (Dickie) – Bass, backing vocals (1998–2001)
 * Yugo – Drums (2001–?)
 * Adam Stacheel – Drums (1998–2001; died 2021)

Discography
LPs and EPs Compilations
 * The Black Hearts EP (01/11/2000).
 * The Lackey Country EP (08/09/2003).
 * Nuthin' For No One LP (22/08/2005).
 * From the Ground Up EP (02/05/2018).
 * Loose on the Streets EP (15/02/2019).
 * No More Rulers, No More Ruled LP (14/01/2022).
 * Set Fire EP (Unreleased).


 * "Deny the Right," Various – 4ZZZ Heapz Of Brisbane Punk Bands (2000).
 * "ASIO," 4ZZZ Presents Beyond the Banana Curtain (2010).
 * "ASIO," Various – Stranded - The Chronicles Of Australian Punk (2015).

Singles Film
 * Asio – Voted #1 in 4ZZZ Hot 100 2005.


 * Songs by The Disables featured in the 2004 feature film "Salem's Lot."
 * Songs by The Disables featured in the 2012 feature film "Housos vs. Authority."