After forming in late 2003 and spending plenty of 2004 in the studio, February 2005 saw Nardo release their debut EP 'No Sale'. The greater populus liked what they heard and Nardo were soon touring the release around this big brown land, while listening to themselves being played on FBi and Triple J on the tour bus (hatchback) radio.
Having often be found tucking away a congratulatory beer after another quality headlining performance at venues including The Basement, The Vanguard, The Brass Monkey, Manly Fishos and Caringbah Bizzos in Sydney, and The Zoo in Brisbane, the jam-packed launch at The Basement and the release of 'No Sale' saw them fleeing the concrete jungle and heading to Peats Ridge (NSW), Woodstock (Qld), Shoreshocked (NSW) and The Great Escape (NSW) to showcase their melodious repertoire.
After scraping together the funds to record 'No Sale' and without the support of a record label, manager, publicist or even someone to give them lunch money, the boys were deserving of a celebratory beverage and an Australian-cricket bum-tap following the success of the release. In addition to their radio airplay, 'No Sale' features on numerous DVDs including Australian Surfing Life, Tracks and CHIK, plus a Billabong promotional video being screened on MTV and MTV Asia, giving Nardo both national and international exposure... and ensuring they will never again be able to travel to Malaysia or the Philippines without a full security detail - or disguises.
Says the band's frontman, Sam Nardo: "listening back to 'No Sale' and comparing it with 'When the Morning Comes' it's amazing to hear how much we developed as a unit." That "unit" comprises singer-songwriter Nardo, Evan Browett on the drums and triangle, Andy Scott on various guitar and lap steel detail and at the bar, and new addition Stevie B (Buchanan) on bass. [insert images of each with nickname(s) popping out as roll-over].
Fingering The Police and Hendrix as inspiration – but clearly enjoying the blues, pop and melodies of Ben Harper, Coldplay, Crowded House and the Beatles - Nardo blend melancholic melodies with rock, roots, subtle pop and lyrics that are cemented deeply in poetry, and embrace that certain 70s warmth. Leader singer Sam's vocals are hauntingly reminiscent of the late Tim Buckley with more of a rock, roots and blues kick to them, but the same evocative melancholy and belief in his lyrics.
Currently the boys are completing their highly anticipated full-length album, Morning Sun (out through MGM in [April] 2007), and with the ever-impressive production of renowned engineer Paul Pilsneniks (The Living End, george, The Whitlams, The Mars Volta, and silverchair, among others), it is sure to be a continuation of the quality we have seen from Nardo thus far.
Internationally, the lads are currently being distributed through selected surf shops in Argentina, and have also made some sweet contacts in Japan. But… not content to sit back and wait for the pesos and yen to roll in, Nardo are continuing to work hard, both on and off the stage, in what promises to be a massive year for Nardo.
And don't just take our word for it…