No matter how you look at it, Australian music has never been the same since Regurgitator hit the scene back in the ’90s.
Forming back in 1993, the three-piece released their first album in 1996, going on to soundtrack countless lives with their eclectic tunes that merged anthemic choruses, witty lyrics, and a broad spectrum of musical influences.
Having released their first ever kids’ album earlier this year, Regurgitator have managed to prove that nothing in the world can stop this Aus-rock juggernaut.
To celebrate one of the most beloved Aussie music careers of the last few decades, we’ve decided to take a look back at their ten most successful tracks. Using the band’s placings in triple j’s Hottest 100, we’ve compiled a list of the band’s biggest tracks, according to the music-loving public.
10. ‘Superstraight’
Hottest 100 Rank: 41
Release Date: June 20th, 2001
ARIA Chart Peak: N/A
Despite not ever reaching the ARIA charts, ‘Superstraight’ might hold the distinction as Regurgitator’s most ‘normal’-sounding song. With lyrics that speak of a family hiding some dark secrets, some slight musical references to The Beatles helped this one to break the top 50 on the Hottest 100.
9. ‘Black Bugs’
Hottest 100 Rank: 32
Release Date: November 17th, 1997
ARIA Chart Peak: 32
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The second single from 1998’s phenomenal Unit, ‘Black Bugs’ was something of a timely anthem about being addicted to video games, backed by a computer-generated film clip that made listeners keen to head home, boot up their Nintendo 64, and blast some black bugs.
8. ‘Fat Cop’
Hottest 100 Rank: 27
Release Date: June 20th, 2001
ARIA Chart Peak: 34
Eduardo And Rodriguez Wage War On T-Wrecks might not be the most celebrated Regurgitator album, but it did give us the memorable single ‘Fat Cop’, a rap-rock influenced gem that tells the tale of the titular fat cop. To date, it’s still one of the most hilarious tracks from the musical icons.
7. ‘I Like Your Old Remix Better Than Your New Remix’
Hottest 100 Rank: 27
Release Date: November 1st, 1998
ARIA Chart Peak: N/A
A remix of ‘I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your New Stuff’, this tune was the B-side to ‘The Fourth Single From Unit‘, and managed to make a bigger splash than the original. With lyrics decrying the band’s perceived change in sound, this is the ultimate middle finger to fair-weather fans, and one of the few B-sides to score its own music video.
6. ‘Polyester Girl’
Hottest 100 Rank: 26
Release Date: November 17th, 1997
ARIA Chart Peak: 14
Back in the 1998 Hottest 100, Quan Yeomans pulled off a rare ‘three-in-a-row’ thanks to tracks by Regurgitator and Happyland. Topping this feat was the group’s most successful single yet, ‘Polyester Girl’. An ode to a manufactured love interest, the synthesised ’80s music clearly resonated with fans around the country, turning this into one of Regurgitator’s most iconic tracks.
5. ‘I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am’
Hottest 100 Rank: 23
Release Date: May 22nd, 1996
ARIA Chart Peak: N/A
Look, there’s a reason that this one probably never hit the charts, but you can be sure that this one resonated with music fans of the ’90s. Describing an attitude of doing anything to reach the top, ‘I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am’ remains as one of Regurgitator’s breakthrough hits, proving they can make memorable, catchy rock that resonates with fans everywhere – despite the questionable language.
4. ‘Everyday Formula’
Hottest 100 Rank: 19
Release Date: October 18th, 1997
ARIA Chart Peak: 41
Like most songs by the Gurge, the exceptional, catchy music hides some lyrics underneath that usually go missed by casual fans of the band. In this case, ‘Everyday Formula’ sees the group describing environmental issues being overlooked due to the rise of technology. Truly, they were ahead of their time.
3. ‘Blubber Boy’
Hottest 100 Rank: 17
Release Date: August 14th, 1995
ARIA Chart Peak: N/A
It’s not often that bands get their start by singing a song based upon an Inuit fairytale about drowned boyfriends and blubber… replacements, but Regurgitator aren’t exactly a normal band. A prime example of their early talent, ‘Blubber Boy’ is still a tune whose chorus commands a massive singalong during a live show.
2. ‘Kong Foo Sing’
Hottest 100 Rank: 15
Release Date: April 14th, 1996
ARIA Chart Peak: 33
An ode to the fortune cookie, ‘Kong Foo Sing’ managed to see Regurgitator become something of a household name in the world of alt-rock. Pairing catchy lyrics, samples from kung-fu films, and a crushing rhythm section, there was no doubting that this one would go on to become one of their most successful moments.
1. ‘! (The Song Formerly Known As)’
Hottest 100 Rank: 6
Release Date: November 17th, 1997
ARIA Chart Peak: 28
Ask anyone from the era, and they’ll all agree that ‘! (The Song Formerly Known As)’ is Regurgitator’s finest moment. It wasn’t the lead single from Unit, but it managed to become their shining glory, with lyrics that describe just sitting back and avoiding clubs, raves, and concerts in favour of a comfy loungeroom in suburbia.
It’s still one of the band’s most beloved tracks, and despite an official title that it unpronounceable (thanks, Prince), it’s gone on to become an essential piece of Aussie music history.
