Big Heavy Stuff is a Sydney-based Australian indie rock band with a unique … Read Full Bio ↴Big Heavy Stuff is a Sydney-based Australian indie rock band with a unique style, blending edgy guitars and a pounding rhythm section with songwriter Greg Atkinson's exceptional sense of melody. Their harder edge, evident on their breakthrough "Maximum Sincere" album of 1997, has mellowed somewhat on more recent releases, without detracting from their trademark emotional intensity. They are known for recent works including their latest albums "Size of the Ocean" and "Dear Friends and Enemies", the latter of which was written at a time of political contemplation in Australia, and therefore contained questions of a profound nature (reflected even in the title of the album). That aside, it still ultimately made for great pop music. While the band's earlier releases are powerful documents in their own right, perhaps the most impressive aspect of Big Heavy Stuff's career has been their musical evolution, with each release building on the last and marking a significant step forward. Today, they are among Australia's most vital guitar bands, and the quality of their catalogue has few peers in the country's rich rock history.

Big Heavy Stuff received a Best Alternative Release nomination at the 15th Annual ARIA Awards for their album Size of the Ocean.

Big Heavy Stuff is a four-piece band, featuring Greg Atkinson (Vocals, Guitars), Carolyn Polley (Guitars, Vocals), Eliot Fish (Bass, Vocals) and Nick Kennedy (Drums). The band was established in 1990 and is with the recording label Redline Records (Australia). Greg Atkinson had previously fronted the band Ups and Downs, Eliot Fish and Nick Kennedy were in The Templebears and Carolyn Polley was singer/guitarist for Dutiful Daughters.

Big Heavy Stuff were at the forefront of Australian independent guitar rock throughout the '90s. The band was formed out of the remains of Brisbane band, Ups and Downs by Greg Atkinson. Quickly signed to an indie imprint of a major label, Big Heavy Stuff was recognized as one of Australia's leading indie rock acts, alongside bands such as Crow, Something for Kate and Jebediah. Although never achieving substantial commercial success, the band was widely respected and critically acclaimed.

The band is not currently active however the members all continue to live in the Sydney area. Drummer Nick Kennedy and bassist Eliot Fish are members of other Sydney bands. Greg Atkinson has gone on to form the Worker Bees with brother (and ex-Ups and Downs bandmate) Darren, and more recently, indie chamber pop band Theories of Everything.

As of January 2006, there is a rumour circulating that the band have parted ways. This was announced on FBi Radio after close to a year of no activity and a long delay in a website update, the last of which was shortly before their last performance at the Come Together Music Festival at Luna Park Sydney.

Big Heavy Stuff played a reunion show in Sydney on April 18, 2009 at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville. The gig were filmed for the That Then This Now documentary.

www.bigheavystuff.net

Scared of Living
Big Heavy Stuff Lyrics

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Idiot sees what no-one else can see
He's not too busy
Idiot hears what no-one else can hear
He's not too busy

If he's scared of living
with his claws outstretched, reaching, and no-one cares
And if he's scared of breathing

it's because our air is shitty, and no-one cares

Idiot sees what no-one else can see
and it's not too pretty
Idiot hears what no-one else can hear
and it's not too pretty

And if he's scared of living
with his claws outstretched, reaching, and no-one cares
And if he's scared of breathing
it's because our air is shitty, and no-one cares

And if he's scared of breathing
And if he's scared of living

Idiot sees what no-one else can see
Idiot hears what no-one else can

Overall Meaning

The song “Scared of Living” by Big Heavy Stuff expresses the feelings of an individual who feels isolated and ignored by the society. The lyrics suggest that the person who is labeled an ‘idiot’ sees and hears things that are not perceivable by others. However, the things that this person sees and hears are not pretty. The song delves into the fear of living and breathing in an environment that is hostile and uncaring. The use of ‘claws outstretched’, suggests a sense of desperation and isolation, as if the individual is trying to reach out to others, but nobody seems to care. The repetition of the lyrics ‘Scared of breathing’ and ‘Scared of living’ emphasizes the fear and anxiety that the person feels about their existence.

The lyrics of “Scared of Living” connect with many people who feel like outsiders in society. The song touches on themes of mental illness, social isolation, and environmental issues. It is a powerful commentary on the way in which we as a society tend to ignore people who do not fit in, while failing to address systemic issues that affect us all.

Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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