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Sick Puppies

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Band Timeline

1997

Formation of Sick Puppies in Sydney

Sick Puppies were formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1997 by singer/lead guitarist Shimon Moore and bassist Emma Anzai. The band originated in the music room of Mosman High School, where the duo bonded over their love for bands like Silverchair and began writing their own material. Initially Shimon played drums and Emma guitar, but after Chris Mileski joined as drummer, Emma switched to bass and Shimon to guitar and vocals. The name Sick Puppies either came from Shimon's inspiration or an incident involving a neighbor's dog vomiting during rehearsal.
2001

Debut Album and Early Releases

In 2001, Sick Puppies released their debut studio album, Welcome to the Real World, after gaining momentum by winning a regional Triple J Unearthed competition with their song "Nothing Really Matters" in 2000. This competition win led to a management deal and early exposure. They also released the EP Fly in 2003. During this period, the band focused on building their presence in Australia, but eventually decided to seek broader opportunities.
2005-2006

Relocation to Los Angeles and Rise to Prominence

Following challenges with their initial record label folding and their drummer departing, the band moved to Los Angeles in 2005-2006 to restart their career. Seeking a drummer, they found Mark Goodwin via Craigslist, completing their new lineup. The Single "All the Same" gained viral success in 2006 when it was used in the Free Hugs Campaign video by Juan Mann, garnering over 78 million views on YouTube and significantly raising the band's profile internationally.
2007

Release of Second Album 'Dressed Up as Life'

Capitalizing on the viral success of "All the Same", Sick Puppies released their second studio album, Dressed Up as Life, in 2007. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 181 and featured singles such as "My World," which reached the top 20 of the U.S. Modern Rock chart. This album solidified the band's presence in the American rock scene and showcased their energetic post-grunge sound.
2009

Third Album 'Tri-Polar' and Expanding Reach

In 2009, Sick Puppies released their third studio album, Tri-Polar, which furthered their success in the rock genre. The band also wrote the song "War" for the video game Street Fighter IV, showing their growing cultural footprint beyond traditional music industry avenues. This period demonstrated the band's evolving artistic direction and growing fanbase worldwide.
2013

Release of Fourth Album 'Connect'

Sick Puppies released their fourth album, Connect, in 2013. This album continued their rock style and helped maintain the band's established audience. The release reinforced their persistence in the competitive music industry and reflected their maturation as musicians over more than a decade since their formation.
2014-2016

Lineup Change and Fifth Album 'Fury'

In 2014, original lead vocalist and guitarist Shimon Moore was fired from the band. Bryan Scott replaced him as the new lead vocalist and guitarist. With this new lineup, Sick Puppies released their fifth studio album, Fury, in 2016. This album marked a new chapter for the band, showcasing a fresh sound influenced by the change in personnel and allowing them to continue their career with renewed energy.

Albums

au-sick-puppies_1st_album
Welcome to the Real World
13 tracks
2001
au-sick-puppies_2nd_album
Dressed Up as Life
12 tracks
2007
au-sick-puppies_3rd_album
Tri‐Polar
13 tracks
2009
au-sick-puppies_4th_album
Connect
16 tracks
2013
au-sick-puppies_5th_album
Fury
13 tracks
2016
au-sick-puppies_6th_album
WAVE THE BULL
12 tracks
2025
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Emma Anzai

N/A

Bass

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Shimon Moore

1997
2014

Guitar

Shimon Moore

1997
2014

Lead vocals

Story of Sick Puppies

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Sick Puppies emerged onto the music scene in 1997. Their debut album, Welcome to the Real World, dropped in 2001, but it was their 2006 YouTube upload of "All the Same," a video supporting Juan Mann`s Sydney-based Free Hugs Campaign, that catapulted them to international recognition. The video amassed over 78 million views, solidifying their status. This viral success paved the way for their sophomore effort, Dressed Up as Life (2007), which cracked the Billboard 200 at #181. Tri-Polar (2009) and Connect (2013) followed, cementing their place in the rock world. However, their fifth studio album, Fury (2016), marked a significant change with the addition of new vocalist Bryan Scott following the departure of original frontman Shimon Moore in October 2014.

History

Early Career (1997-1999)

The band`s genesis was as unlikely as it was iconic: a double-booking in the music room at Mosman High School in 1997, pitting singer/guitarist Shimon Moore against bassist Emma Anzai. Their initial squabble quickly gave way to a shared passion for Silverchair, leading to impromptu jams covering Green Day, Rage Against the Machine, and their mutual heroes. Initially with Shimon on drums and Emma on guitar, this unlikely pairing eventually found their voice, crafting their own unique brand of rock and roll.

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