The Camels are Jamie & Tim Holt, Matt Smedley & Dave Springer.
Soon after their formation in 2000, The Camels began to rip through Sydney’s local pub circuit, leaving audiences buzzing. Then, as the crowds began to grow, their sound was captured by producer Tim Powles (The Church) on their debut album “All You Ever Needed” (2004). The spirit of the songs suggested a transition from juvenile to sincere, straining still to be starry-eyed but savvy enough to have endured love's bitter taste. Critics compared it to debuts from The Strokes, You Am I, Weezer and Jimmy Eat World.
With national radio broadcaster Triple J putting four tracks from their debut on high rotation, supports slots for profile acts such as Jet and Electric Six quickly followed. Aussie favourites Grinspoon and Spiderbait gave the group more chances to work out who drives the tour van before they rounded out the year with a spot on the annual Homebake festival in Sydney, playing to a packed tent of Camel-maniacs.
In 2005 The Camels performed 119 shows around the country, 67 of those on their “Surfari" tour (presented by Quiksilver & Triple J) which built a loyal national fanbase. Their efforts landed them supports with their international heroes Cake and local legends The Hoodoo Gurus, whilst hitting covers of music press around the country. Soon The Camels were having trouble keeping their “I'VE BEEN A BAD BAD PUPPYDOG” t-shirts in stock.
The dust hadn't settled behind the Tarago before The Camels were demo-ing new songs in September with Lindsay Gravina (Magic Dirt, The Living End, Faker). “On Top Of The World”, a tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, caught the attention of several New Zealand radio stations and saw The Camels pick up their first radio play outside Australia.
continued...