The Drones (Australian band)
The Drones were an Australian rock band formed in Perth in 1997 by Gareth Liddiard, who served as the main singer and guitarist. Fiona Kitschin joined on bass and vocals in 2002, and over the years the group also included Rui Pereira, Mike Noga, Dan Luscombe and Steve Hesketh, among others. Their music blended elements of alternative rock, blues, garage, and experimental rock, earning a reputation for intense live shows and dark, enigmatic songwriting.
Their debut album, Here Come the Lies (2002), established their distinctive sound. The follow-up, Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By (2005), won the inaugural Australian Music Prize. Gala Mill (2006) followed, and later entered the ARIA top 100. I See Seaweed (2013) reached No. 18 on the ARIA chart, and Feelin Kinda Free (2016) peaked at No. 12, becoming their highest-charting album and the first released on their own Tropical Fuck Storm Records. They also released a live album, Live in Spaceland (2007), and Havilah (2008), which reached No. 47.
The Drones toured extensively, including appearances at All Tomorrow’s Parties and major Australian festivals. Their song “Shark Fin Blues” became highly regarded and is widely regarded as one of their defining tracks. The band went on hiatus in December 2016 as Liddiard and Kitschin started a new project, Tropical Fuck Storm, with other musicians joining in 2017. Noga had departed the band in 2010 and passed away in 2020.
In February 2025, The Drones announced a brief reunion for two benefit shows in May 2025 at the Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne, performing with the Feelin Kinda Free lineup alongside other artists.
The Drones are remembered for their raw energy, uncompromising lyrics, and influence on Australia’s independent rock scene.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 09:07 (CET).