The band’s unique name comes from a music teacher, Mark Kennedy. When the band met in high school, they were all seeing Kennedy as their guitar tutor.”We all ‘trialled’ off him”, noted guitarist Stacey Gray. He also notes- “I don’t think we ever really took it (the band) seriously, until we decided to change our name to `Trial Kennedy’. After that, things started to happen.” The band initially released an independent EP, Present for a Day, in 2004. However, it was not until 2006’s Pictureframe EP which the band were getting any form of recognition. A chance inclusion of the band’s song “Damage on Parade” on a sampler for Blunt Magazine roused industry attention. Shortly afterwards, the band found themselves with both a manager and a national booking agent. The band initially toured with local Melbournian acts, including a young Getaway Plan. As their reputation increased, tours would involve a variety of popular Australian rock bands, including Gyroscope, The Hot Lies, Kisschasy, Cog, and Horsell Common, whom the band would later record the split EP, The Birds and The Bees. The band would also tour with popular international bands, such as Fall Out Boy and Yellowcard. The band also played the 2007 and 2008 Soundwave Festival legs. On May 31, 2008, the band released their long awaited debut album, New Manic Art. The album was produced by Nick DiDia, who has worked with Powderfinger, the Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus and Audioslave. The reception to the album thus far has been exceptionally positive, gaining a national following and a cult-like international fanbase. |
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