The Herd

The Herd formed in 2001 (though have all been affiliated as a crew since 1999) after the core members of Elefant Traks record label decided to collaborate rather than submit individual tracks for a compilation. They retreated from the city for weekends and days off to record at a lakeside house on the Central Coast. What resulted was the self-titled album that featured the Triple J (national youth broadcast radio station) hit 'Scallops', a song that became an Aussie backyard anthem, complete with the memorable summertime good vibes film-clip.
Mid-2002 The Herd put the final touches on the follow-up album, called An Elefant Never Forgets. What started out as a group of individuals working together had now developed into a tight and cohesive band, with members performing shows with each other constantly.
The new album was released in February 2003 amidst the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces. The first single 'Burn Down The Parliament' hit Triple J radio just after the devastating bushfires in Canberra. The launch in Sydney attracted over 750 people with full houses on tours to Melbourne and Brisbane. Less than a month after release, a repressing was ordered as the first big shipment sold out.
Then the second single, '77%' hit the airwaves and immediately sparked controversy with media and particularly talkback radio hosts like Stan Zemanek. The Sydney Morning Herald ran stories on the song and The Herd while talkback hotlines rang hot with curious and furious callers wanting to know more. Despite the uproar, Triple J continued playing the song and hundreds of listeners requested it. To this day it's still the song audiences most respond to at live shows.
Two music videos were made for 'Burn Down The Parliament' and '77%', which featured constantly on TV programs such as Rage and the cable network Channel V. Both songs were hit-listed and received high rotation on Triple J. A third single 'States of Transit' was critically acclaimed and received yet more airplay.
Since February 2003 The Herd have been in touring mode, having played packed shows in every state in Australia, with sell-out shows in all major cities. At last count they had played to nearly 13, 000 people since the launch of An Elefant Never Forgets
and their reputation as one of the most exciting live bands in Australia just keeps growing.
LIVE_Utilising laptops, live bass, guitar, turntables and three great MCs, the Herd have developed a deserved reputation for electrifying performances merging hiphop, beats and drum'n'bass. Laidback and light-hearted, whilst also politically conscious, The Herd have supported Blackalicious, Spearhead, Squarepusher, Mad Professor and Grandmaster Flash.
The Herd have performed at Union Rallies, Community Festivals, Detention Centres, large scale national music festivals like The Big Day Out and Splendour in the Grass. They've also performed in some of the largest venues in Australia including The Hordern Pavillion (6000 capacity) in a sold-out Grandmaster Flash show.