MAT BOND-Singer Guitar
PETER MILIC-Bass
TRENT SPICE-Drums
CAMPBELL MURPHY-Keyboards
Influences
Arthur Lee
Moby Grape
Buddy Guy
Jimmy Page
BB King
The Doors
Johnny Cash
Roger Keith Barrett (Syd).
Hendrix
Love
Cream
Led Zeppelin
P.N.G - influenced rythme
Peter gabriel
Brian Eno
David Burn
Devo'
Radio Birdman
MC5
Pavement
Sonic Youth
Pink Floyd
Homer (Not Simpson !).
Andrew Bond
Ulysses Dog
+ Others
Get Argus' debut CD "Mighty Man" now at or download mp3s directly from this page on the store below!
Cut from the Original filmclip, "Dooray" (above) - as seen on Rage (ABC ) and Noise TV ( SBS ).
Limited edition Argus T-shirts available now, to order email: weareargus@hotmail.com
Above - Shots from "Big Old Bob" film clip
Worldwide distribution through Universal
Mat . Trent . Campbell . Peter
Argus are a 4 piece band that formed in Tasmania at the end of 2005.
Lead singer / songwriter / guitarist Mat Bond, originaly from Papua New Guinea (a Tasmanian expatriate born in Lae-Morobe Province) was exposed to local Papua New Guinean cultural music from birth, made his first electric bass guitar at age 7 and was given a dulcimer at age 8, Mat was also lucky enough to receive classical guitar lessons before his family moved to Tasmania, when Mat was 15. At 16 Mat began classical vocal trainging before singing for a number of local Hobart bands. After years being a part of the local Tasmanian music and film scene, in 2004 Mat was asked to play in Miami at the "Hot Wet Miami Beach show" on the strength of one of his film soundtrack demos, but living on the other side of the world ended this idea without funding. Instead, he was made Artist of the month, August 2004 on the show's promotional web site. Mat then formed the beginings of Argus with Peter Milic and was asked to perform at the Blue Tiers Festival (Tasmania) at the end of 2005.
Originaly from Adelaide, Peter Milic (Bass) has been playing different instruments in various outfits around Australia and Europe for the past 20 years. Peter's influences include : Peter gabriel, Brian Eno, David Burn, Devo, Radio Birdman, and MC5.
Trent Spice (on drums) had been playing away in a place called Cygnet untill we enlisted him. Trents influences include : Pavement, Sonic Youth, and Pink Floyd.
Campbell Murphy (Keyboards) had been in different Australian outfits over the years, including supporting "Daryl Braithwaite" and "Spy vs Spy" - while on their national tours. One evening down the line, he got on stage with Argus at a club, he's never left (one of us !, one of us !). Campbells influences include : The Doors, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and a whole lot of Blues.
Campbell completes the group, which enables Argus to deliver its energetic, melody-based songs and passionate rock ballads in a way Mat couldn't do on his own. The unique flavour Argus fronts, comes from its members colourfull archive of musical tastes and lifelong love of music.
Early 2006, Argus scored a Licencing and Publishing promotional deal through Australian Music Marketing Abroad, for 3 songs and a 1/4 page spread in the 25th issue of their magazine, next to artists like "Cuba Gooding", "Don Johnson" and "Elvis Costello", the magazine was showcased at Midem-France and Popkomm-Germany.
From the month of September to October 2006 at Garageband.com, one of Argus' first demo songs recorded was voted (by the public)
Best male vocals
Best Guitars
Best Drums
Best Melody
Track of the Day on 20 Sept 2006 in Experimental Rock
Argus have played for many charity events including the Tasmanian Wilderness society, Tasmanian Raptor Refuge and the Blue Tiers Festival. Focussing on environmental issues and the preservation of native wildlife. Mat Bond has worked as a ranger for the Tasmanian Reptile Rescue service for the past 5 years, relocating Tiger snakes, Copperhead's and other reptiles.
In October 2007, Argus was signed to Warrior Records in L.A, with a worldwide distribution deal with Universal. Argus' first album is being released through Warrior Records/UMGD first quarter, 2009!
For bookings, send a message to Argus here on this myspace page.
Photos of Argus by Brian Dimmick
" There's a bond between the 2 mythological characters Ulysses and Argus in Homer's Odyssey, that conceptually symbolizes the determination and direction inherent in the bond between the bands struggle to play, and the music that ended up being influenced by that struggle - so as the band grew, we realized things needed to be made with a kind of passion, with child-like needy obsession, sounded easy" - Mat.
I sent an Angel to watch over you last night, but it came back... I asked, "Why?"... the Angel said: "Angels don't watch over Angels!" i said "we do this one so get your butt back there!"
GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS YOU DONT HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE THERE...
Which song is that? I ve got your "Dooley" song in my prof, i keep listening to it its great!! Others are lovely too. But this one its got such a true oldschool sound its awesome hehe... Im very lesaed to meet you too and feel the vibes, i think your job is awesome, you've got it all sussed ;) Sending a very big hug to you and all yours, pls stay in touch! xxx
lol i actually suck at modelling! lol coz i am 100% me at the mo of the snap, but if i know the cam is there i have a very stupid face! lol thank you dow, hoipe you are super well x