The band formed in 2003 when several band members started jamming at a vinyl pressing plant Christmas party, where they worked. They encouraged now-lead singer Brendan Suppression (real name Brendan Huntly) to ad-lib into a tape recorder. The subsequent tape prompted the band’s first recording, which produced a 7-inch single with A-side Get Up Morning.
The band's name derived from members recalling another employee at the pressing plant stating he had to fix the eddy current suppression ring - a copper ring around a transformer which subdues eddy currents.
The band's sound is said to have been influenced by bands such as The Troggs, The Standells, X and The Pagans. Reference has also been made to the band’s Australian delivery, both vocally and musically. In 2006, Eddy Current Suppression Ring released their first full-length recording, an eponymous album released to critical acclaim.
In May 2008, the band released its second CD, Primary Colours. Within three weeks it had sold more than 2,000 copies, already more than their debut album and was sitting at number 6 on the ARIA charts. In September 2008, Primary Colours was nominated in the Best Rock Album category for the 2008 ARIA Awards. In October, it was nominated for the J-Award, as a candidate for the Triple J Australian album of the year. In November 2008, Primary Colours was named best independent hard rock/punk album at the Jagermeister AIR (Australian Independent Record Labels Association) Awards held at Melbourne's Corner Hotel. In March 2009, the band won the $30,000 Australian Music Prize for Primary Colours.
Their third album, Rush to Relax was released by Goner Records in early 2010.
Their fourth album, All in Good Time was released in late 2019.
Memory Lane
Eddy Current Suppression Ring Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where everything looked quite the same
People smiled people waved
They told me ‘bout the road they paved
As I walked down memory lane
As I walked down memory lane
People sobbed people cried
As I walked down memory lane
As I walked down memory lane
Everything looked quite the same
People joked and people laughed
Told me ‘bout their chosen path
As I walked down memory lane
As I walked down memory lane
Everything looked quite the same
People told me ‘bout their fame
How I must remember their name
As I walked down memory lane
I got the long-term memory loss
I got that long-term memory loss
I got that long-term memory loss
I started watchin, I got involved
I got that long-term memory loss
I got that long term memory loss
I got that long term memory loss
I got that long term memory loss
The lyrics of Eddy Current Suppression Ring's song "Memory Lane" seem to be an introspective exploration of the nature of memory, fame, and mortality. The song starts with a description of the titular Memory Lane, where everything looks the same and people are friendly and welcoming. However, as the song progresses, this idyllic image is gradually disrupted by reminders of death and loss. The people on Memory Lane share their stories of dying and being forgotten, but they also talk about their paths and accomplishments, hoping to be remembered.
The final lines of the song introduce a twist in the narrative. The singer admits to having long-term memory loss, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the selective nature of memory. The repetition of the phrase "I got that long-term memory loss" creates a sense of both vulnerability and detachment. The singer seems to suggest that memories can be both comforting and burdensome, and that forgetting can be a way of coping with the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I took a walk down memory lane
I reminisced about the past
Where everything looked quite the same
Nothing had changed since the past
People smiled people waved
People greeted me joyfully
They told me ‘bout the road they paved
They shared stories about their accomplishments
As I walked down memory lane
As I continued to remember the past
People sobbed people cried
Some people shared stories about their losses
Told me ‘bout the day they died
They shared stories about their friends or family members who passed away
Everything looked quite the same
The surroundings remained unchanged
People joked and people laughed
Some shared happy memories
Told me ‘bout their chosen path
They shared stories about their life choices
People told me ‘bout their fame
Some boasted about their accomplishments
How I must remember their name
They wanted to remind me to never forget them
I got the long-term memory loss
I have trouble remembering things from the past
I started watchin, I got involved
I became invested in reminiscing about the past
I got that long-term memory loss
I continue to struggle with remembering the past
I got that long term memory loss
I continue to struggle with remembering the past
I got that long term memory loss
I continue to struggle with remembering the past
Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.