Models
Rock · AU · Active since 1978

Models

Angular new wave hooks meet sophisticated pop production. Restless, shimmering Australian rock that feels like a neon-lit night in a coastal city.

Browse Catalog
Intro

Models are a seminal Australian new wave and art-rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1978. Emerging from the ashes of punk and glam-influenced groups like Teenage Radio Stars and JAB, they became a cornerstone of the vibrant Melbourne independent scene before transitioning to mainstream success. Their early work, exemplified by 'Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf', was characterized by an angular, experimental edge that blended post-punk aesthetics with dub rhythms and quirky synth textures. This era established them as a critical favorite and a formidable live act on the pub circuit.

The band's evolution saw them move toward a more polished, synth-heavy pop sound in the mid-1980s, culminating in the massive success of the album 'Out of Mind, Out of Sight'. This period featured a sophisticated lineup including James Freud and Roger Mason, incorporating soulful backing vocals and prominent saxophone. Their cultural significance is cemented by their 2010 induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame, recognizing their role in defining the 'Australian Sound' of the 1980s. Critically, they are praised for maintaining an art-rock sensibility even within a pop framework, influencing a generation of Australian alternative acts.

Our Catalog5 Albums · 1980 · 1986
The Sound · Center of GravityWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
Adjacent Artists
M
Models

Shares new wave, art rock, post-punk (subgenres); studio_polished, analog_warmth, layered_dense (production style)

M
Models

Shares new wave, art rock, post-punk (subgenres); restless, playful, mysterious (moods)

M
Models

Shares new wave, art rock, post-punk (subgenres); analog_warmth, studio_polished, layered_dense (production style)

The Motels
The Motels

Shares new wave, art rock, post-punk (subgenres); studio_polished, analog_warmth, layered_dense (production style)

Fjorden baby!
Fjorden baby!

Shares new wave, art rock, post-punk (subgenres); studio_polished, analog_warmth, layered_dense (production style)

Z
Zombies

Shares new wave, synth-pop, art rock (subgenres); studio_polished, analog_warmth, layered_dense (production style)

C
cali≠gari

Shares new wave, art rock, synth-pop (subgenres); studio_polished, analog_warmth, layered_dense (production style)

TJ
The Jetzons

Shares new wave, art rock, post-punk (subgenres); studio_polished, analog_warmth, layered_dense (production style)

N
Nexus

Shares new wave, synth-pop, art rock (subgenres); analog_warmth, studio_polished (production style)

Dragon
Dragon

Shares studio_polished, analog_warmth, layered_dense (production style); summer, urban_night, road_trip (atmosphere)

The Motels
The Motels

Shares new wave, post-punk, saxophone, art rock (subgenre)

C
cali≠gari

Shares art rock, nasal, new wave, synth-pop (signature)

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