THE NEONS

The Neons are an electro/synth/indie rock band from Brisbane, who formed in 2002. Lead singer and songwriter Gary Grey was inspired to start the band after seeing Nine Inch Nails at the Big Day Out in 2002. The band are brisbane based and have released two albums, Boy Cargo(2003) and Dystopian Love Joy (2004).

The band took their name inspired from a John Kennedy Toole novel called The Neon Bible, which is about a young man growing up in rural Lousiana and gradually learning of religious, racial, social and sexual bigotry. Some of these issues have filtered their way into the defining sound of The Neons.

In 1999, Gary Grey was abandoned by the first band that he was in, a tight, heavy rock band known as KRAPP after the bass player, Andrew Poulsin decided to quit the band and commit to other projects. Soon after, Gary and previous KRAPP drummer Nathan Biggs responded to an ad in the RAVE magazine by future keyboardist Steve Moore, about forming a band which was to be inspired by bands such as The Cure, New Order, Joy Division and The Smiths. Steve showed up to Nathans place where we had our rehearsal room. We bonded almost instantly over similar tastes in music and appreciation.

The band became known locally and nationally when they released their first album Boy Cargo on June 3, 2003 in Brisbane on local indie record label Fixture Records. The band went on to make success with the release of their second album Dystopian Love Joy. Their first single Big Tears was released later that year and went to number one on the APRA charts for indie music. Other releases include Fall Short and The Neons cover of The Cure's Breathe.

Much of The Neons music is based on British and American Influences and on the music of the 1980s, particularly New Wave music. Despite their appreciation for the wave of post-punk bands that sprung up during the 80s, the band members are also avowed fans of David Bowie, U2 and The Doors.