Leadfinger (pronounced "Led-finger") is an Australian guitar rock band formed in

Wollongong Wollongong ( ; Dharawal: ''Woolyungah'') is a city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The name is believed to originate from the Dharawal language, meaning either 'five islands/clouds', 'ground near water' or 'sound ...

New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...

, in 2006 by

Glasgow Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...

-born singer and guitarist Stewart "Leadfinger" Cunningham. The band has released six albums to date, with the most recent released in February 2022 through Golden Robot Records.

Background

Leadfinger founder Stewart Cunningham has been a prominent figure in the Australian underground music scene for over 20 years. He began his career as a guitarist with the pre-grunge Wollongong band The Proton Energy Pills. In the late 1980s, he moved to Sydney, where he spent the 1990s playing in seminal underground guitar bands, including Asteroid B-612,

Brother Brick Brother Brick were an Australian punk rock band formed in the city of Sydney, New South Wales in 1991. Led by Stewart ( Leadfinger) Cunningham, the band released many 7" vinyl singles and 1 album in its time and contained members of many othe ...

, and Challenger-7. He also had a stint in Melbourne with The Yes-Men, a band formed by Sean Greenway (formerly of

God In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...

and The Freeloaders). Each of these bands released critically acclaimed albums in Australia, the United States, Japan, and Europe. Upon returning to live near his hometown of Wollongong in 2005, Cunningham began performing live as 'Leadfinger', focusing on

open tuning Guitar tunings are the assignment of pitch (music), pitches to the open string (music), open strings of guitars, including classical guitars, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars. Musical tuning, Tunings are described by the particular pitch ...

and

slide guitar Slide guitar is a technique for playing the guitar that is often used in blues music. It involves playing a guitar while holding a hard object (a slide) against the strings, creating the opportunity for glissando effects and deep vibratos that ...

-driven songs. The first three Leadfinger albums were released through

Bang! Records Bang! Records is a Spanish record label from the Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Country, which was formed in 1998 by Gorka Munster and Juan-Mari Iturrarte. The label has a primary focus on artists from Melbourne, Australia, and Ne ...

, a Spanish

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

independent label specialising in underground Australian rock, including The Beasts of Bourbon,

The Scientists The Scientists are a post-punk band from Perth, Western Australia, led by Kim Salmon, initially known as the Exterminators and then the Invaders. The band had two primary incarnations: the Perth-based punk rock, punk band of the late 1970s and ...

, and The Drones. The band's album ''No Room at the Inn'' was later released through Australian label Citadel Records, whose legacy spans 30 years and includes many of Leadfinger's musical influences, such as

Deniz Tek Deniz Tek (born November 10, 1952) is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter and a founding member of Australian rock group Radio Birdman. He has played in many of the underground rock bands of the 1970s, including Australian bands The V ...

, Died Pretty, and the

Lime Spiders Lime Spiders were an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1979 with Mick Blood on lead vocals. He was later joined by Richard Lawson on drums, and David Sparks on guitar. Their debut studio album, '' The Cave Comes Alive!'' was released i ...

. The name 'Leadfinger' was originally a

pen name A pen name or nom-de-plume is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name. A pen name may be used to make the author's na ...

for Cunningham, originating from an incident when his brother shot him with an

air rifle An air gun or airgun is a gun that uses energy from compressed air or other gases that are mechanically pressurized and then released to propel and accelerate projectiles, similar to the principle of the primitive blowgun. This is in contr ...

at age 14. The lead pellet became embedded in his left index finger and required surgery for removal. Future bandmates began calling him 'Leadfinger' in jest, suggesting that the unusual injury had somehow influenced his guitar style. Cunningham has stated that the name was also chosen as an homage to Mississippi Delta blues legend

Lead Belly Huddie William Ledbetter ( ; January 1888 or 1889 – December 6, 1949), better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk music, folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the ...

, as his original intention was to perform solo under the name. Cunningham continues a long tradition of Scottish Australian rock musicians and songwriters, following in the footsteps of the Young family (members of

AC/DC AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock and Heavy metal music, heavy metal, although the band calls it simply "rock and roll". They are cited as a formativ ...

and

The Easybeats The Easybeats were an Australian Rock music, rock band which formed in Sydney in late 1964. They are best known for their 1966 hit single "Friday on My Mind", which is regarded as the first Australian rock song to achieve international success ...

Jimmy Barnes James Dixon Barnes ( Swan; born 28 April 1956) is an Australian rock singer. His career, both as a solo performer and as the lead vocalist with the rock band Cold Chisel, has made him one of the most popular and best-selling Australian music a ...

Bon Scott Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott (9 July 1946 – 19 February 1980) was an Australian singer who was the second lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. In the July 2004 issue of ''Classic Rock (m ...

Colin Hay Colin James Hay (born 29 June 1953) is a Scottish-Australian musician. He came to prominence as the lead vocalist and the sole continuous member of the band Men at Work, and later as a solo artist. Hay is a member of the band Ringo Starr & His ...

, Karl Broadie, James McCann, and others.

Music

Leadfinger experiment with a wide variety of musical styles but are predominantly recognised for their fusion of guitar-driven high-energy rock,

power pop Power pop (also typeset as powerpop) is a subgenre of rock music and form of pop rock based on the early music of bands such as the Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. It typically incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, ...

, and 1970s

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

, drawing comparisons to acts such as The Replacements, Radio Birdman, and The Saints. The band draws from the rich vein underground guitar music, spanning genres from the 1970s rock and punk eras to the classic works of

Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...

and

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

in the late 1960s and earlier. Their instrumentation reflects a broad musical palette, incorporating electric guitars, 12- and 6-string acoustic guitars,

alternate tunings Guitar tunings are the assignment of pitch (music), pitches to the open string (music), open strings of guitars, including classical guitars, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars. Musical tuning, Tunings are described by the particular pitch ...

, slide techniques, dynamic bass lines, driving drums, and harmony vocals. Leadfinger’s music embodies a soulful, timeless brand of

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...

rooted in the songwriting of frontman Stewart Cunningham (singer-guitarist) and characterised by the use of vintage equipment and amplification. Cunningham’s compositions blend lyrical craftsmanship with raw energy, paying homage to the band’s influences while maintaining a distinctive contemporary edge.

History

2005–2008 (''The Floating Life'')

Following a four-year hiatus from music after the death of Yes-Men bandmate Sean Greenway in 2001 and the band’s abrupt dissolution, Stewart Cunningham resumed songwriting in 2005. A series of new demos, recorded primarily at his home studio, formed the basis of Leadfinger’s debut album, ''The Floating Life''. Released in mid-2007 via Spanish label

, the album’s production was facilitated by the label’s prior collaborations with Cunningham’s earlier bands,

, The Yes-Men, and Asteroid B-612. Leadfinger’s inaugural live performance occurred in February 2006 at Wollongong's underground venue The Oxford Tavern. Cunningham later described the solo set as "...a musician used to playing with a band fumbling through a set of songs in a shocked and disjointed manner". By mid-2006, drummer Stephen O’Brien (formerly of The Unheard). joined for sporadic performances. The band’s first full lineup solidified on New Year’s Eve 2006 at the same venue with the addition of bassist Wayne Stokes (formerly of Thumlock). This three-piece lineup performed intermittently, including the official album launch for ''The Floating Life'' album at Sydney’s

Hopetoun Hotel The Hopetoun Hotel, colloquially referred to as The Hoey, is a historic Sydney hotel and live music venue in Surry Hills. It was built somewhere between 1836 and 1839, originally under the name of the Cookatoo Inn and then in 1901 revamped and n ...

on 29 July 2007. During this period, the group recorded new material in two sessions at a farmhouse in Tongarra, near Macquarie Pass. These tracks later appeared on the ''Through the Cracks'' CD EP (2008, Musicfarmers Records) and the album ''Rich Kids'' (2009, Bang! Records). Both releases were produced and mixed by Cunningham at his home studio, Leadfinger's Rendezvous Studio. The original lineup disbanded after their final performance at

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

The Tote Hotel The Tote is a live music venue, pub and former hotel located in Collingwood, Victoria, Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia. The venue hosts many independent music, independent local, Australian and international acts, and carries a reputation for ...

on 15 August 2008, during the two-night Bang! Records Festival.

2008–2009 (''Rich Kids'')

The current and most prominent Leadfinger lineup coalesced in late 2008 with the addition of guitarist Michael Boyle (formerly of Mudlungs) bassist Adam “Reggie” Screen, and drummer Dillon Hicks (formerly of Zambian Goat Herders). Though their first official performance as a quartet occurred at Sydney's The Annandale Hotel in January 2009, Hicks had previously drummed for Leadfinger at Melbourne shows in 2008, while Boyle had collaborated with Cunningham in an acoustic duo format at smaller venues since 2006. This iteration of the band marked a turning point, fostering a stronger camaraderie and consistent live presence that solidified their musical direction. In 2009, the Tongarra farmhouse recordings by the original lineup were released as the album ''Rich Kids''—titled after the track "Rich Kids Can’t Play Rock ’n’ Roll"—via Bang! Records on vinyl and CD. Critics praised the album’s raw, distinctly Australian sound, likening it to The Saints and Radio Birdman. Patrick Emery, writing for Australian music website

Mess+Noise The mess (also called a mess deck aboard ships) is a designated area where military personnel socialize, eat and (in some cases) live. The term is also used to indicate the groups of military personnel who belong to separate messes, such as the o ...

, declared: "...Rich Kids Can't Play Rock 'n' Roll but Leadfinger can!" The album featured enduring live staples such as "Fade Your Brilliance" and the title track. ''Rich Kids'' also included covers showcasing the band’s influences: a rendition of

Rory Gallagher William Rory Gallagher ( ; 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995) was an Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. Regarded as "Ireland's first rock star", he is known for his virtuosic style of guitar playing and live performances. He has sometim ...

's "Bad Penny" (appearing on both formats),

Roky Erickson Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson (July 15, 1947 – May 31, 2019) was an American musician and singer-songwriter. Called an "outsider genius," he was a founding member and the leader of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic r ...

's "I Think of Demons" (vinyl exclusive), and a version of The Saints' "Ghost Ships" on the CD release.

2010–2011 (''We Make the Music'')

During winter 2010, Leadfinger recorded their third album at

Surry Hills Surry Hills is an Eastern Suburbs (Sydney), inner-east suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Surry Hills is immediately south-east of the Sydney central business district in the Local government in Australia, local gover ...

' Big Jesus Burger Studio in Sydney. Working with engineers JP Fung and Brent Williams (of The New Christs), the band utilised vintage analogue technology, recording onto 2-inch tape and mixing on a classic Neve console. The resulting sound paid homage to 1970s-era influences such as the Rolling Stones' '' Exile on Main St.'' and

Big Star Big Star was an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1971 by Alex Chilton (vocals, guitar), Chris Bell (vocals, guitar), Jody Stephens (drums), and Andy Hummel (bass). They have been described as the "quintessential American ...

's early albums. ''We Make the Music'' was issued on CD and digital formats through Wollongong label Impedance Records, while Bang! Records handled the vinyl release. The album’s title and titular track drew inspiration from a scene in the 1971 film ''

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'' is a 1971 American musical film, musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart from a screenplay by Roald Dahl, based on his 1964 novel ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory''. It stars Gene Wilder as chocol ...

'' (starring

Gene Wilder Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman; June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016) was an American actor, comedian, writer, and filmmaker. He was mainly known for his comedic roles, including his portrayal of Willy Wonka in ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Fa ...

), emphasising artistic integrity over corporate and

media manipulation Media manipulation refers to orchestrated campaigns in which actors exploit the distinctive features of broadcasting mass communications or digital media platforms to mislead, misinform, or create a narrative that advances their interests and ag ...

. The phrase “We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of the dreams” originated from

Arthur O'Shaughnessy Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy (14 March 184430 January 1881) was a British poet and herpetologist. Of Irish descent, he was born in London. He is most remembered for his poem " Ode", from his 1874 collection ''Music and Moonlight'', which ...

's 1873 poem

Ode An ode (from ) is a type of lyric poetry, with its origins in Ancient Greece. Odes are elaborately structured poems praising or glorifying an event or individual, describing nature intellectually as well as emotionally. A classic ode is structu ...

. Initial recording sessions yielded enough material for a double album, though label reservations led to a streamlined 12-track release. Track listings varied significantly between formats. The album launched on 19 May 2011 at Sydney's The Annandale Hotel, with i-94 Bar hailing it as “a bona-fide Australian classic”. In November 2011, surplus recordings from the sessions were released as the limited-edition CD EP ''I Belong to the Band''. Two music videos—for the title track and the CD-exclusive song "Fourteen"—were produced by Rob Stephenson to promote the album.

2012–2015 (''No Room at the Inn'')

In late 2011, Leadfinger began developing material for their fourth album, ''No Room at the Inn'', driven by Stewart Cunningham’s songwriting on a recently acquired

Epiphone Epiphone () is an American musical instrument brand that traces its roots to a musical instrument manufacturing business founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos in İzmir, Ottoman Empire, and moved to New York City in 1908. After taking over ...

acoustic

12-string guitar A twelve-string guitar (or 12-string guitar) is a steel-string guitar with 12 strings in six courses, which produces a thicker, more ringing tone than a standard six-string guitar. Typically, the strings of the lower four courses are tuned in ...

. Tracks such as "The Wandering Man," "Gimme the Future," "Pretty Thing," and "The Other Ones" relied on stripped-back three-chord progressions, elevated by the guitar’s distinctive tonal character. Due to budget constraints, the band recorded foundational tracks at Sydney's Defwolf studio in April 2012, with overdubs, vocals, and mixing completed by Cunningham at his home studio, Leadfinger's Rendezvous Studio. The self-funded album, produced for under A$5,000, was released in February 2013 through Australian label Citadel Records, earning critical praise for its raw yet polished execution. Critics lauded the album’s blend of raw energy and craftsmanship. A four-star review noted:

Most great rock 'n’ roll is made out on the fringes but this latest album from Australian veteran Stewart 'Leadfinger' Cunningham packs such a punch that it deserves to come out from the underground. Fans of bands from The Masters' Apprentices to HITS will love its greasy swagger, sure-footed songwriting and a sound that's both rich and raw. This is a deep seam, back to the classic Stones records of the late '60s on songs like You're So Strange, with its gospel-charged backing vocal from Chloe West. Gimme The Future sports searing guitar work that threatens to shred speakers, and Cruel City pumps with the kind of intensity once found on Radio Birdman records. But there is also room for banjo on the dusty roads of the title tune, and the intense The Lonely Road is dedicated to Rory Gallagher. Anyone who ever heard the sparks flying on a record by the late Irish bluesman will recognise a soul brother in Leadfinger and his passionate tunes. (4 Stars)

To promote the album, Leadfinger toured Australia in March–April 2013, supporting Detroit-born musician

(of Radio Birdman and New Race), a fellow Citadel Records artist.

2016–2019 (''Friday Night Heroes'')

Leadfinger released their fifth studio album, ''Friday Night Heroes'', on 14 July 2016. Recorded in mid-2015 at the now-defunct Linear Recording Studio in Leichhardt, NSW, the album was mixed and co-produced by Wade Keighran of Wolf & Cub. Released via Brisbane-based label Conquest of Noise on vinyl and CD, the band promoted the album with a 10-date Australian tour across four states in July–August 2016. In October 2017, Leadfinger undertook their first overseas performances with a 14-date European tour, including shows in France, Switzerland, and Spain. In early 2018, guitarist and principal songwriter Stewart Cunningham was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. Following extensive treatment, including a

pneumonectomy A pneumonectomy (or pneumectomy) is a surgical procedure to remove a lung. It was first successfully performed in 1933 by Dr. Evarts Graham. This is not to be confused with a lobectomy or segmentectomy, which only removes one part of the lung. T ...

later that year, the band’s activities were suspended due to post-surgical complications. After a prolonged recovery, Cunningham resumed rehearsals with the group in late 2019. In November 2019, Leadfinger self-released the ''La Banda En España'' CD/digital EP, featuring live recordings from their 2017 tour in

Dénia Dénia (; ) is a historical coastal city in the province of Alicante, Spain, on the Costa Blanca halfway between Alicante and Valencia (city in Spain), Valencia, and the capital and judicial seat of the Comarques of the Valencian Community, ''c ...

, Spain. The release included a standout electric 12-string guitar rendition of the live favourite "You Wear It Well," a cover of

Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...

's 1972 track from his album ''Never A Dull Moment''.

2020–present (''Silver & Black'')

In early 2020, Leadfinger signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Australian label Golden Robot Records to distribute their catalogue worldwide via digital platforms. After a three-year hiatus from live performances, the band returned to the stage at Marrickville Bowling Club in June 2021. Their sixth studio album, ''Silver & Black'', was released on 25 February 2022. Recorded in late 2020 at

Botany Botany, also called plant science, is the branch of natural science and biology studying plants, especially Plant anatomy, their anatomy, Plant taxonomy, taxonomy, and Plant ecology, ecology. A botanist or plant scientist is a scientist who s ...

’s Rancom Street Studio (owned by

Garth Porter Garth Ivan Richard Porter (born 24 September 1948) is a New Zealand-born Australian multi-instrumental musician, songwriter and record producer. He was a member, on keyboards and backing vocals, of the pop group, Sherbet (1970–84), and co-wr ...

) with producer Brent Clark, the album was issued on double 12-inch vinyl, CD, and digital formats through Golden Robot Records. Critics praised the release, with i-94 Bar’s Col Gray declaring:

Top to bottom – every song on “Silver & Black” is a winner, each rich with colour and diversity. If you thought “Friday Night Heroes” was good, “Silver & Black” goes one step further, and stands as Leadfinger's magnum opus – and it should rightfully open new doors for the band. After more than four years – Leadfinger are back – rejuvenated, reinvigorated, and armed with a stunning collection of new rock ‘n’ roll songs. Special when lit and then some. Get on board. (5 Stars)Col Gray
7 March 2022

The band played various dates in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria in 2022 to promote the release of the album. The band toured

, the

Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938, is an internal States and territories of Australia, territory of Australia. Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is situated within the territory, an ...

, and Victoria in 2022 to promote the album. In February 2023, drummer Dillon Hicks was replaced by Stuart Wilson (formerly of The New Christs,

, and Loose Pills). Wilson debuted with Leadfinger on 11 March 2023, supporting Nick Barker and the Reptiles at Sydney's The Bridge Hotel in

Rozelle Rozelle is a suburb in the inner west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 4 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Inner West Council. Location Rozelle s ...

Personnel

Current members

* Stewart Cunningham – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, mandolin (2006–present) * Reggie Screen – bass guitar (2008–present) * Michael Boyle – electric guitar, backing vocals (2008–present) * Stuart Wilson – drums (2023–present)

Former members

* Wayne Stokes – bass guitar (2006–2008) * Stephen O’Brien – drums (2006–2008) * Dillon Hicks – drums (2008–2022)

Discography of Leadfinger

Studio albums

* ''The Floating Life'' (2007) –

* ''Rich Kids'' (2009) –

* ''We Make the Music'' (2011) –

/Impedance Records * ''No Room at the Inn'' (2013) – Citadel Records * ''Friday Night Heroes'' (2016) – Conquest of Noise * ''Silver & Black'' (2022) – Golden Robot Records

Extended plays and singles

* ''Through the Cracks'' (2008) – Musicfarmers * ''I Belong to the Band'' (2011) – Impedance Records * ''Ripped Genes/Analogue Dreams'' (2012) – Unpopular Records (CD self-released by the band) * "Cheer Squad" (2016) – Conquest of Noise (7-inch vinyl and digital single) * ''La Banda en España'' (2019) – Unpopular Records (self-released by the band)

Compilation appearances

* "Swept Back" on ''Up North/Down Under'' (2010) – Bootleg Booze Records * "December Runaway" on ''Rock Against Bullshit Xmas Comp'' (2010) – Rock Against Bullshit Records * "Just Like Fire, Would" on ''Let Me Turn You On'' (2012) – Easy Action Records * "Left Wing Yule" on ''Rock Against Bullshit Xmas Comp'' (2012) – Rock Against Bullshit Records

References

General

* Note: Archived n-linecopy has limited functionality.

Specific

External links

* http://www.leadfinger.com.au/ * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysa_6AccOtk (Leadfinger – The Fall of Rome Clip, YouTube) * https://goldenrobotrecords.com * http://www.bang-records.net/ * http://conquestofnoise.com/ * http://www.i94bar.com/albums/no-room-at-the-inn-leadfinger-citadel * http://sonsofthedolls.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/brother-brick-portable-altamont.html * {{DEFAULTSORT:Leadfinger (band) Musical groups established in 2006 New South Wales musical groups Australian indie rock groups Golden Robot Records artists