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Sneaky Sound System

October 4, 2006 New Music Posted by: Jonno Seidler 32 Comments

Sneaky Sound System

Sneaky Sound System – ‘I Love It’

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As Bob Dylan famously announced, “The times they are a-changin”, especially for the Sneaky posse, who seem to have transformed from everyone’s favourite club act into commercial superstars overnight. Of course, Angus and Daimon (i.e, the boys) have been banging out tunes for over five years, acquiring a legion of devoted fans in the process from their ‘Sneaky Sundays’ jaunt at Hugo’s Bar, home to the urban elite in Sydney’s party central, Kings Cross. Yet it is only recently that their hard work has come to fruition, in the shape of their banging self-titled album.

Part of Sneaky’s newfound influence can be attributed to their newest member, the stunning Connie Mitchell, whom the boys stumbled across in Hyde Park playing guitar and singing. Like Fergie to the Black Eyed Peas, Connie has only served to enhance the already distinct Sneaky sound. The Sneaky D.I.Y approach has certainly taken them far beyond the realm of their wildest dreams, as they were recently nominated for two ARIAs (NB: One ARIA in Australia = One Grammy in USA, One Brit Award in the UK, etc), and invited to support Robbie Williams on his upcoming Australian tour. Quite ironic, considering their statement “We’re like an electronic garage band with delusions of stadium glory.”

These guys make seriously good music. They make sugar-pop groups with electro trimmings like the Rogue Traders and Bodyrockers look like preschoolers. Rock on.

http://www.sneakysoundsystem.com
http://www.myspace.com/sneakysoundsystem

Currently there are "32 comments" on this Article:

matt says:

October 6, 2006 at 10:05 pm

Hey I can’t tell, is this satire?
greg says:

October 9, 2006 at 1:25 pm

good question… however on the 3rd read, i have decided it is serious.
Steve says:

October 9, 2006 at 1:45 pm

Yeah pretty sure this is serious…. that is a bit of a worry. You should not praise a group just cause they are better than the rogue traders.
Jerry Soer says:

October 9, 2006 at 3:54 pm

I like this track, it’s a good pop song. Not a big fan of their previous singles but this one makes the cut.
Jonno says:

October 9, 2006 at 5:56 pm

yeh, it aint satire. im just comparing them to rogue traders because they are highly successful new australian electro pop outfits. if you cant pick that up, it aint my fault
matt says:

October 16, 2006 at 10:07 pm

I don’t see any problem in comparing Rogue Traders/Sneaky (they’re cut from the same cloth), I was really just drawing attention to you guys raving about such an entirely awful group. I had a pretty good feeling it wasn’t satire.

Kinda feels like a turning point for this website, from fan writing to pragmatic music press, maybe?
Dan says:

October 17, 2006 at 2:36 pm

There ain’t nothing wrong with pop music. I like the fact that this blog has different writers, and you can see their different tastes emerging.
Dom Alessio says:

October 18, 2006 at 12:27 pm

One of the reasons that Jerry and myself set up this blog was to showcase a wide variety of Australian music. Most blogs will only write about the “cool kids” bands and pretty much ignore everything else that’s out there. In doing that, aside from reading 1000 blogs that praise the same bands over and over again, you don’t get a true representation of the Australian music scene.

In covering a wide variety of musical styles, not only do we cater to a wide variety of tastes, we also attempt to cover all good Australian music. Now what is good and bad is in the eye of the beholder, and what is great to one is shit to others, but that is the nature of the art that we all love. Also, in covering many and varied acts, we can have discussions such as these on why we think said band is great or why said band is shit.

To me Jonno is highlighting the fact that acts like Rogue Traders and Bodyrockers are destroying people’s ideas of electro-pop, and that acts such as Sneaky Sound System can in fact create good electro-pop.

Also, to end this long-winded rant, from memory Connie Mitchell was the vocalist for an act called Primary.
Jerry Soer says:

October 18, 2006 at 10:00 pm

Dom\’s got it spot on there but I just thought I should add my bit.

In response to Matt\’s comment about us \”raving about such an entirely awful group\” I really have to emphasize Dom\’s point that what is good depends on the listener. Really even among the writers of this blog, agreeing on what acts are good or not is a big challenge. That would be a problem for most blogs – but I strongly encourage everyone writing here to express their personal opinions.

There will not be a unified opinion coming out from this blog. Everyone\’s taste is so variedly different that it’s just impossible to be pimping the exact same acts. In fact, it’s the very reason and selection criteria that we choose our writers. What’s the point of saying the same things twice?

This blog will remain a space for personal opinion of the writers. And I hope everyone can continue displaying the positives of each act because the purpose of the site is to promote the Australian scene as a whole. Too many people outside the country knows only Jet, The Vines or the Modular roster when asked what they think of Australian music. I hope this site gives a counter view to that.
Jonno says:

October 19, 2006 at 12:12 am

wow.. all this hype about one measly post… well at least i know that people actually hit up whothehell.net on a regular basis, which is comforting..

now, since i wrote the damn thing, i thought id clear some stuff up…

1. I like Sneaky. I wouldn’t have written bout them if i didn’t. They make good electro, are club veterans and are simply out to have a good time. If that’s such a crime in the indie pop world, shoot me. In the head, preferably, so i don’t have to listen to any more whining about what ‘real music’ is…

2. … on that topic, if you are a purveyor of fine music and have superior taste (if there is such a thing) to mine, Jerry’s, Dom’s, whatever, then you clearly don’t need this site at all. You knew about these bands AGES ago, and you’re already onto the next big thing.

3. Rogue Traders/Bodyrockers are crap. In case i didn’t make that obvious enough the first 5 times.

4. Sarcasm is not the lowest form of wit. It’s an elevated form of rhetoric, and if you don’t get it, go watch some “Curb your Enthusiasm”.

End rant.

Jonno.
PS. Direct all hate mail to you@uptightwankers.com. I hear they only feature ‘good’ music.
matt says:

October 19, 2006 at 11:33 am

Don’t take my input to this thread out of proportion. I’m just commenting – that’s one of the greatest things about blogging. It starts with a post and can end up with the thread of comments being so much more interesting.

I totally agree with what Jerry & Dom said and big ups to you for starting such a great blog, the timing is perfect. It’s just that I can’t stand Sneaky and Rogue Traders and wanted to shout it from the rooftops, and I was kinda surprised to see this usually good blog misstep (in my opinion).

I have been known to rant when someone hassles something I’ve written, so I can understand Jonno’s reaction. But I’m not claiming any musical high ground, just saying something sucks. That’s what music writing’s all about, calling it as you see it.
brooke says:

November 5, 2006 at 11:44 pm

MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HEARD THIS SONG ON TV AND WANTED ME TO PLAY THE WHOLE SONG FOR HER SHE LOVES IT…..I DO TO..MUM
Selina Riley says:

November 7, 2006 at 11:29 am

I have been searching for this song for about 3 weeks, I almost resorted to going into HMV and singing it to the poor boys behind the counter – thank God for all of us I found it finally. I love this song, Connie Mitchell is gorgeous and has an amazing voice, I don’t hear many songs that I love (another song I loved like this was Theivery Corporation’s “Lebanese Blonde”). To the people out there dissing other bands, concentrate on giving positive feedback and leave out the negative stuff, it doesn’t help anybody.
bever says:

December 1, 2006 at 5:27 pm

Hey………..never heard of this band b4 in my life……….went to the robbie williams concert in perth where they were the support act……one word….FABULOUS…….how good is that connie chick?…………about time we had half diecent bands in aus……nice and refreshing……..go guys you,ll be HUGE…….LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT……XXX
Andrew says:

December 5, 2006 at 7:56 pm

Connie Mitchell is HOT. Love the voice. Love the afro. Love the song.
jodi lowden says:

December 15, 2006 at 6:37 pm

I was at the Robbie Williams concert on thursday night and I must admit the sneaky sound system rocked Connies voice is just amazing and they all have a whole lot of talent looking forward to seeing more of these guys and gals fantastic performance and really really cool love ya guys
jodi lowden says:

December 15, 2006 at 6:40 pm

oh I forgot to mention that the brisbane guy who sang with the sneky sound system was absolutly awsome and quite spunky to whats your number
Aloysius says:

December 30, 2006 at 8:08 pm

I was watching the video clip of this song on You Tube this morning and was thinking to myself that I had seen and heard this singer berfore from ages ago. It took me a little while but I eventually figured it out that Connie Mitchell was the lead singer of another fantastic but now defunct Australian band called “Primary” from the late nineties. Anyhow it’s fantastic to see Connie singing again, but I will admit I do miss her old band and when I first heard them I thought it was Skunk Anansie, and it was great to see that there was a band who could match it up there with Skunk Anansie. But I tell Sneaky Sound System is just as good. This song would have to be the summer anthem of the year.
Nic says:

March 22, 2007 at 10:51 am

Fergie DESTROYED the Black Eyed Peas.
sonke says:

April 13, 2007 at 11:36 am

these guys are such tossers, they should be shot.
youmakemesick says:

April 28, 2007 at 5:33 pm

QUOTE [Most blogs will only write about the “cool kids” bands and pretty much ignore everything else that’s out there. In doing that, aside from reading 1000 blogs that praise the same bands over and over again, you don’t get a true representation of the Australian music scene.]

What? You act as though they don’t get enough exposure! Turn on 96.9 right now and there is a good chance sneaky sound system is playing. Thanks, ofcourse, to the fantastic relationship between their record label and radio. I find this style of Music (Sneaky Sound System, Rogue Traders, Freestylers etc) all the same. Not notable and yet receiving so much radio play. Talk about corruption. The music industry is in a sorry state. And it wouldnt be so bad if people could RECOGNISE this, but the problem is we have so-called professional music listeners who back these guys as making “really good electro”, and “having a good time”. I dont want to hear uninspired people make a quick buck at the expense of others, whether they’re having a good time or NOT. And it IS at the expense of others, listeners and the youth in particular are becoming content with BORING.
Jerry Soer says:

April 30, 2007 at 9:00 pm

We blog whatever we like to listen to. Whether it is overplayed or on commercial is not really relevant on our decision to blog something. Most of the music here is listened to independently on what most other media think of it. Because we find that when we are too aware of what other people are playing, it distracts us from our original goal, that is to create an online diary, a weblog of Australian music, in order to promote the music overseas.

Your suggestion to “Turn on 96.9 right now” wouldn’t make any sense to readers outside the country, not even those outside Sydney. That’s something we try hard to avoid, we don’t assume everyone is exposed to the same playlists and airplay.

Thanks for reading anyway.
Nic says:

May 16, 2007 at 6:44 pm

I have been acqainted with this band since they started in 2000- and must say the addition of Connie Mitchell has been an inspired move. Beforehand they were really just DJ’s with a few fairly ordinary tracks (Hip Hip Hooray was diabolical). Love the new direction they are taking and their new tracks and I contragulate them.

I do question, however, the need for Daimon to rip his shirt off as often as possible. Angus writes/produces the music, Connie is the vocalist, what does Daimon do apart from poncing around without a shirt on? Is he trying to be like Anthony from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, cos is aint working!! Anyone else think Daimon looks like a muppet? Thankfully now that Connie has joined the group we are no longer subjected to the agony of Daimon’s “mc’ing”.

My tip – lose the muppet!! He brings donut!!

Love the new music!!
Sneaky Sound System says:

June 13, 2007 at 7:08 pm

Connie Mitchell is an amazing vocalist. I was attracted to Sneaky ever since hearing I Love It on radio. I look forward to their next album!
em says:

July 8, 2007 at 7:26 am

they were pretty good at live earth
CanadaSB says:

July 9, 2007 at 1:34 am

Beeing a fellow Canadian from Ottawa… Let me tell you their interpretation of UFO at Live Earth should bring them worlwide success… I would bet on it…

One of the best moral-booster from Australia!!!
Robyn M Speed says:

July 11, 2007 at 4:43 pm

I heard Sneaky Sound System for the first time on the Live Earth concert and was blown away! The song Pictures went round and round in my head all night long. Bought their CD yesterday and have barely stopped playing it over and over. They ROCK!!! Most awsome and original sound I have heard in AGES!
julie says:

June 6, 2008 at 1:36 am

Am watching SS system on abc now thursday 6 june 08

They are great but have to agree that Daimon is too hyper and in everyone’s face – the band and audience’s face – and he takes it too far into monotonous excruciating rap given half a chance

Can he calm down and play drums instead or something low key or back stage and let Connie have space to be the amazing front person she is born to be. Also I like the quiet guy – Angus? – he has good quiet charm and presence on stage

Sorry Daimon – but also having you all and the other gang on stage is overall a great interesting mix of people, so stay on stage but calm down and go low key !
Jim Nones says:

June 6, 2008 at 10:52 am

They rock, the only prob is the lame arse rapping, just let connie do her thing. she was awesome in primary.
Paul Bailey says:

June 7, 2008 at 11:09 pm

I’m 42 years old, dancing was something I did in the 80s. Today, I didn’t know where to look for SSS music funk? dance music? hip hop? The last two records I bought were Johnny Cash and Elvis. But I’ll tell you something blind freddie can see. Connie Mitchell is simply an amazing presence, and that’s just on the telly at 2am. What a voice. What an amazing face. She can sing/perform/entertain/entrance. Will pay $$$ to see this band perform live, if Connie is in it
mebabyme says:

September 3, 2008 at 6:13 am

Connies is a cutie pie, that big smooth voice of hers. damn
lozzzzzzzzzz says:

May 14, 2009 at 9:37 pm

sss is great, i hope that they come back to rollercoaster after that idiot chucked a bottl at her head!