The Red Paintings
The Red Paintings are an Australian art rock band originally formed in Geelong in 1998. Front man Trash McSweeney provides lead vocals, guitar, sequencing and sampling. He has been joined by various musicians. The band is known for their themed performances incorporating elements of theatre and art, often self-described as "orchestral sci-fi art rock". Band members often dress in elaborate costumes, ranging from geisha outfits, alien costumes and sea creature themes. They employ elaborate stage props to support their shows, varying from statues, giant robots, children's toys, literary and Tim Burton-themed props and  self-made video projections. The band often invites members of the audience to paint during their live music set. History. Formation and early releases (1998–2004). The Red Paintings were formed in 1998 in Geelong by front man Jamie Glenn Barrett Trash McSweeney on lead vocals, guitar, sequencing and sampling. The band's initial line-up included Alisha Fountain on bass guitar, Nathan Hewitt on synthesiser and sampling, Luke "G" Rossiello on synthesiser and Phil Smythwaite on violin. This line-up issued three extended plays (EPs), "Angel Flummox" (1999), "Reality (Ahead of Schedule)" (2000) and "Cinema Love" (2002). The latter EP  was issued via Asphalt Records. According to the label they were working on their debut album, "The Revolution Is Never Coming", with a single, "The Wasp's Are Here with a China Doll in Mind" due for release. The album ultimately appeared in June 2013. The group were briefly based in Melbourne before relocating to Brisbane in 2003–2004. McSweeney had received positive feedback and show offers at an impromptu solo gig in Brisbane. Red Paintings new line-up had McSweeney joined by Josh Engelking (percussion), Wayne Jennings (cello), Ellen Stancombe (violin) and Bo Whitton (bass guitar). It was released in  2004 as the live album, "The Virgin Mary Australian Tour Acoustic/Strings Album" or "Your Tears Are Warning Signs". In 2004, the band released an EP, "Rain". The group's "I'll Sell You Suicide", was entered for Triple J's Unearthed competition to represent Brisbane in 2004. The line-up for that track was McSweeney and Stancombe with Leigh Doolan on drums and Jasmine Ebeling on bass guitar. They headlined that year's Valley Fiesta. Section::::"Walls", "Destroy the Robots" and "Feed the Wolf" (2005–2007). In April 2005, The Red Paintings were signed to Brisbane-based label, Modern Music with  distribution by Sony BMG. The seven-track "Walls" EP appeared in May 2005 via Modern Music/Sony BMG. It was produced by Dave Leonard (The Butterfly Effect, Small Mercies, Japunga) and Stuart Niven (Devolved, King Mungi, Parkway Drive). "Walls" received some airplay on Triple J radio station. The title track, "Walls", entered the stations Net 50 chart at No. 3 and charted for fifteen weeks. In 2005 the band conducted two national tours, including sets at the coveted Livid and Big Day Out festivals in Brisbane. The next release from the band in May 2006, "Destroy the Robots", would see  the emergence of the "Robot Trilogy" concept. One of its tracks is, "I'll Sell You Suicide". The EP reached the ARIA singles chart top 100 – their first charting release. After a period with no regular percussionist, drummer Andy Davis was hired. The band toured Australia's capital cities and regional centres promoting the EP, with Robot Marches presenting giant (up to 9-foot) robots paraded through pedestrian malls. Recognition and radio airplay from this tour saw them picked as support for Mogwai, and play at The Great Escape. They also supported the Dresden Dolls on their 2006 Australian tour . The tour was a success for the band, and they were invited to continue as support for the Dresden Doll's tours in New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. Before leaving for the US Jennings left the group and upon returning to Australia, new cellist David Sue Yek joined. In May 2007, the band signed a distribution deal with Sydney label. The Red Paintings released the third instalment in the "Robots Trilogy", "Feed the Wolf" EP (June 2007). It was recorded by the line-up of McSweeney on vocals, guitar, sequencing and samples; Stancombe on violin, tin whistle and  vocals; Jennings on cello and vocals; Holmes on bass guitar; and Davis on drums. This seven-track EP was funded via fan donations. During June–July 2007 the band undertook their Animal Rebellion Tour to promote the EP. In June 2007, the band requested fan donations after announcing plans for recording their debut album. A$40,000 was successfully raised towards their independent LP. The band also played further support for Amanda Palmer's 2007 solo tour in Australia. Independence and touring (2008–2012). In 2008 the band embarked on another Australian tour and also their first headlining tour of the West  Coast of the United States. The tour saw them receive radio airplay, including on KDLD in Los Angeles, Portland's KNRK and San Francisco's Live 505 radio stations. Section::::"The Revolution Is Never Coming" and touring (2013–present). In March it was announced the band had teamed up with The End Records for the release of a new EP in North America, featuring "You're Not One of Them" and a series of B-sides. The band were also announced as main support for Mindless Self Indulgence on their US theater tour during April and May. It was also announced  that the band would release "You're Not One of Them" in the UK and Europe through Rough Trade in April and tour with prog rockers The Pineapple Thief on their UK tour in May. Following these shows, Mindless Self Indulgence invited The Red Paintings to tour as the main support for their theatre tour across the UK and Europe in November and December 2013. Soon afterwards, seminal cult act ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead announced the band as the opener for their North American tour in July 2013. The band also revealed its plans  to release and tour the album "The Revolution Is Never Coming" with a new stage show beginning in Australia in June, with an international release date set for 1 October, along with a massive 4-part world tour to follow.