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{{Short description|Australian alternative rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2011}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Motor Ace
| name = Motor Ace
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]]
| origin = [[Melbourne]], Australia
| genre = [[Alternative rock]]<br>[[Post-grunge]]
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[post-grunge]]
| years_active = 1998–2005
| years_active = 1998–2005, 2018–present
| label = [[Mushroom Records|Sputnik/Festival Mushroom]]
| label = [[Mushroom Records|Sputnik/Festival Mushroom]]
| current_members = [[Patrick ('Patch') Robertson]]<br>Dave Ong<br>Damian Costin<br>Matt Balfe
| current_members = [[Patrick Robertson (musician)|Patrick "Patch" Robertson]]<br>Dave Ong<br>Damian Costin<br>Matt Balfe
| past_members = Alexander Reid
}}
}}


'''Motor Ace''' were an Australian [[alternative rock]] band. Formed in [[Melbourne]] around 1998 out of the remains of another band named Snowblind, their members were [[Patrick ('Patch') Robertson]] (vocals/guitar), Damian Birchall Costin (drums), Matt Balfe (bass), and Dave Ong (guitar).
'''Motor Ace''' are an Australian [[alternative rock]] band. Formed in [[Melbourne]] around 1998 out of the remains of another band named Snowblind, their members are [[Patrick Robertson (musician)|Patrick "Patch" Robertson]] (vocals/guitar), Damian Birchall Costin (drums), Matt Balfe (bass), and Dave Ong (guitar).


== Biography ==
== History ==
=== 1998–2000: Early history ===
Motor Ace began recording their debut release, a self-titled EP, during April 1999. They worked with producer [[Paul McKercher]], who had previously worked with bands such as [[You Am I]] and [[The Cruel Sea (band)|The Cruel Sea]]. Along with [[28 Days (band)|28 Days]], [[Machine Gun Fellatio]], and [[NoKTuRNL]], they were part of a collection of young Australian acts signed to [[Mushroom Records|Festival Mushroom]] Records' development label Sputnik, which launched in 1999. The eventual track listing of their self-titled release included "Chairman of the Board", "Chromakey", "Criminal Past", "Lowrider", and "Fluke". [[Triple J]] gave the band heavy airplay, assisting the band on their touring schedule. Afterwards, the singles "Death Defy" (which was later used as the title theme for TV show ''[[The Secret Life of Us]]''), "American Shoes", and "Hey Driver" were released throughout the course of 2000. Some of them charted in the top 100 of the [[ARIAnet]] singles chart, while also gaining popularity on [[Triple J]].<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/aces-high/2005/06/22/1119321798165.html Ace's High]</ref>


===2001–2004: ''Five Star Laundry'' and ''Shoot This''===
=== Early history ===
Motor Ace's debut album, ''[[Five Star Laundry]]'', was released in March 2001. It was produced and engineered by [[Craig Harnath]] and Chris Dickie in February 2000 at Melbourne's Sing Sing Studios. Due to a heatwave at the time, the nearby power stations had been shut down, and the band were forced to record across the four-week period without air conditioning. During this time, Robertson also lost his voice. According to the band, vocals for the album were completed at 2am on the day both Robertson and Costin were due to fly to London to mix the album with [[Chris Sheldon]], who had previously worked with the [[Foo Fighters]] and [[Therapy?]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2001/motor.htm Motor ace program RAGE]</ref> The album entered the Australian [[ARIA Chart]] at number 4.


Motor Ace's second studio album, ''[[Shoot This]]'' was released in July 2002. The album debuted at number 1 that year and was certified gold. Two singles, "Carry On" and "Keeping Secrets" reached the top 30 in the [[ARIA Chart]].
Motor Ace's swaggering rock anthems have seen many commentators liken them to Brit rockers [[The Verve]] and [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]]. Motor Ace supported the latter during their Australian tour in 2002. Unusually, they also once supported (along with [[Bodyjar]]) [[Blink-182]] during their 2000 Australian tour. Along with [[28 Days (band)|28 Days]], [[Machine Gun Fellatio]], and [[NoKTuRNL]], they were part of a wave of mostly successful young Australian acts signed to [[Mushroom Records|Festival Mushroom]] Records' development label Sputnik, which launched in 1999.


Motor Ace were put on hold after their 2003 Japanese shows for ''Shoot This'', after the pressuring touring and work schedule was beginning to take its toll on the band – particularly Robertson, who suffers from [[Crohn's disease]]. During this period, Costin started a music management group, Fat Guy Management (FGM), while Robertson retreated to his home in Fitzroy and began to develop his songwriting and production techniques. Ong, meanwhile, put together a country-influenced solo album under the name Joni Lightning. Towards the end of this hiatus, the band's management denied that they had split up.
The band began recording their debut release, a self-titled EP, during April 1999. On it they worked with producer [[Paul McKercher]], who has also assisted well-known efforts by [[You Am I]] and [[The Cruel Sea (band)|The Cruel Sea]]. The eventual track listing of their self-titled release included "Chairman of the Board", "Chromakey", "Criminal Past", "Lowrider", and "Fluke". Other songs, "American Shoes" and "Siamese", were also considered, but were left out after the band decided they wanted to make a straight-up rock EP (though they wound up on future releases). [[Triple J]] gave the band heavy airplay, assisting the band on their touring schedule. Afterwards, the singles "Death Defy" (which was used as the title theme for TV show ''[[The Secret Life of Us]]''), "American Shoes", and "Hey Driver" were released throughout the course of 2000, in the buildup to their debut album. Some of them charted in the top 100 of the [[ARIAnet]] singles chart, while they also gained popularity on [[Triple J]].<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/aces-high/2005/06/22/1119321798165.html Ace's High]</ref>


=== ''Five Star Laundry'' ===
===2005: ''Animal'' and break-up===
Preceded by first single "Tomorrow's Gone" in May 2005, the band's third album ''[[Animal (Motor Ace album)|Animal]]'' was released in August 2005. A second single, "A Little Closer", was released on 12 September 2005. ''Animal'' peaked at number 21 on the ARIA Charts.


In September 2005, Motor Ace announced that they would officially disband by the year's end, playing farewell shows in [[Melbourne]] and [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] during December.<ref>[http://www.mushroommusic.com.au/songwriters/songwriter.asp?id=264 Songwriters: Motor Ace] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722080448/http://mushroommusic.com.au/songwriters/songwriter.asp?id=264 |date=22 July 2008 }}</ref>
When released in March 2001 after some delays, Motor Ace's debut album, ''[[Five Star Laundry]]'', entered the Australian [[ARIAnet]] albums chart at number 4. This was followed by more solid touring throughout Australia, and a partly animated video for the title track, which, along with "Lorenzo", was released as a radio single to keep up momentum. ''Five Star Laundry'' was produced and engineered by [[Craig Harnath]] and [[Chris Dickie]] in February 2000 at [[Sing Sing Studios]] in Melbourne, during a particularly long and intense heatwave. All the power stations had been shut down, and the guys were crammed into an airless, sweltering studio for four weeks of consistent recording. Recording on an analogue tape machine made the process arduous and involved. After about three weeks in the studio, Patrick lost his voice and had to take a break. The vocals were finally completed by 2am on the day that Patrick and Damian were due to fly to London to mix the album with [[Chris Sheldon]], who had previously worked with the [[Foo Fighters]] and [[Therapy?]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/2001/motor.htm Motor ace program RAGE]</ref>


===2006–2017: Post break-up===
=== ''Shoot This'' ===
The individual members remained on amicable terms in the following years. Robertson worked professionally scoring for film and television, and also began working with [[Aesop (brand)|Aesop]]. Ong still occasionally performed around Melbourne with his Joni Lightning project, before picking up work on an oil rig. Costin continued to work in the music industry, eventually founding the company 123 Agency. Balfe went on to play guitar in Melbourne band Five Mile Sniper, and also works for [[Yarra Valley]] Water.<ref>{{cite web |title=MOTOR ACE |url=http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/events/2019/04/05/motor-ace |website=Factory Theatre |publisher=Century Venues}}</ref> Both Robertson and Costin were also a part of the band Nighthawk, which formed in 2016.


===2018: Reunion===
Their second album, ''[[Shoot This]]'', released in July 2002, gained even more commercial success, debuting at number 1 that year and, like its predecessor, eventually achieving gold status. The two lead singles ("Carry On" and "Keeping Secrets") reached the top 30 in the [[ARIAnet]] singles chart, with the [[Britpop]]-esque string-laden former reaching the top 20. "Carry On" would also be used in a commercial for ''[[The Australian]]'' newspaper. Capping off the year, the track "Pieces" was released as a radio-only single with an accompanying video.
In August 2018, it was announced that Robertson, Ong, Costin and Balfe would reunite as Motor Ace for a headlining tour in March and April 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mack |first1=Emmy |title=Aussie Rockers Motor Ace Announce 20th Anniversary Reunion Tour |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/aussie-rockers-motor-ace-20th-anniversary-reunion-tour/ |website=Music Feeds |date=14 August 2018 |publisher=Evolve Media |accessdate=27 March 2019}}</ref> The band also announced the release of both ''Five Star Laundry'' and ''Shoot This'' on vinyl, as well as releasing a compilation entitled ''B-Sides & Demos'' online.


In March 2022, Motor Ace released "Knock Knock", their first single in 17 Years.<ref name="knock knock">{{Cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/features/premiere-motor-ace-return-with-knock-knock-their-first-single-in-17-years/|title= PREMIERE: Motor Ace Return With "Knock Knock", Their First Single In 17 Years|website=Music Feeds|date=24 March 2022|access-date=25 March 2022}}</ref>
Motor Ace were put on hold after their 2003 Japanese shows for ''[[Shoot This]]'', after the pressuring touring and work schedule was beginning to take its toll on the band - especially on Robertson, who suffered from [[Crohn's Disease]]. During this period, Damian Costin started a music management group, Fat Guy Management (FGM), Patrick Robertson retreated to his home in the Melbourne inner suburb of Fitzroy and began to develop his songwriting and production techniques, while Dave Ong put together a country-influenced solo album under the name Joni Lightning. Towards the end of this hiatus, which would last well until the end of 2004, rumours abounded that the band had split up. However, the band's management subsequently denied this.


==Discography==
=== ''Animal'' and band break-up ===
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Album details
! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:40px;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="ARIA Charts">Peaks in Australia:
* All top 50 peaks: {{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Motor+Ace|title=Discography Motor Ace|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=30 August 2022}}
* Peaks 51–100: {{cite Ryan|page=195}}</ref>
! style="width:40px;"| [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Motor+Ace|title=NZ Charts}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Five Star Laundry]]''
|
* Released: March 2001
* Label: Sputnik (333402)
| 4 || —
|
* [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Gold<ref name=ARIACert02>{{cite certification|region=Australia|artist=Motor Ace|type=album|certyear=2002|access-date=27 December 2021}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Shoot This]]''
|
* Released: August 2002
* Label: Sputnik (335542)
| 1 || 40
|
* ARIA: Gold<ref>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf}}</ref><ref name=ARIACert02/>
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Animal (Motor Ace album)|Animal]]''
|
* Released: August 2005
* Label: Sputnik (339012)
| 21 || —
|
|}


===Compilations ===
Preceded by its atmospheric first single "Tomorrow's Gone" in May 2005, their third album, ''[[Animal (Motor Ace album)|Animal]]'', was released the following August. The more reflective CD, with less emphasis on upbeat rock, was heralded by critics as Motor Ace's most mature work yet. A second single, "A Little Closer", followed on 12 September.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of compilations, with selected details
! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Album details
|-
!scope="row"| ''Demos and B Sides''
|
* Released: 6 March 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/motor-ace-demos-b-sides/1455308806|title= Demos and B Sides|website=Apple Music (iTunes Australia)|accessdate=9 October 2019}}</ref>
* Label: Motor Ace
|}


=== Video albums ===
Unfortunately, ''Animal'' didn't quite reach the commercial heights of its predecessors, dropping out of the ARIA Top 40 after only three weeks. The album received little, if any, support from radio - including [[Triple J]]. Possibly motivated by the album's failure to bring the band back into the limelight they once held, Motor Ace announced at the end of September 2005 that they would officially disband by the year's end, playing farewell shows in [[Melbourne]] and [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] during December.<ref>[http://www.mushroommusic.com.au/songwriters/songwriter.asp?id=264 Songwriters: Motor Ace] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722080448/http://mushroommusic.com.au/songwriters/songwriter.asp?id=264 |date=22 July 2008 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of video albums, with selected details
! Title
! Details
|-
!scope="row"| ''The Time the Place''
|
* Released: March 2010
* Label: Liberation (LIBDVD1095_1)
* Recorded: At the [[Hi-Fi Bar]], 23 December 2005
|}


===Extended plays===
The individual members remain on amicable terms. Robertson now professionally scores for film and television, while Ong still occasionally performs around Melbourne with his Joni Lightning project. Costin continues to work in the music industry. Matt Balfe is currently playing guitar in new Melbourne band [http://www.fivemilesniper.com/ Five Mile Sniper].
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of Extended plays, with selected details
! Title
! EP details
|-
!scope="row"| ''Motor Ace''
|
* Released: 1999
* Label: Sputnik (SPUT00002)
|}


== Discography ==
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="ARIA Charts"/>
|-
! scope="row"| "American Shoes"
| rowspan="2"| 2000
| 66
| rowspan="3"| ''Five Star Laundry''
|-
! scope="row"| "Death Defy"
| 66
|-
! scope="row"| "Hey Driver"
| 2001
| 53
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Carry On (Motor Ace song)|Carry On]]"
| rowspan="2"| 2002
| 13
| rowspan="2"| ''Shoot This''
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Keeping Secrets (Motor Ace song)|Keeping Secrets]]"
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| "Tomorrow's Gone"
| rowspan="2"| 2005
| 41
| rowspan="2"| ''Animal''
|-
! scope="row"| "A Little Closer"
| 99
|-
! scope="row"| "Knock Knock"<ref name="knock knock"/>
| 2022
| —
| {{tba}}
|}


=== Albums ===
==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] are a set of annual ceremonies presented by [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the [[music of Australia]]. They commenced in 1987.


{{awards table}}
* ''[[Five Star Laundry]]'' (2001) Chart Peak (AUS) #4<ref name="ARIA Charts" />
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
* ''[[Shoot This]]'' (2002) Chart Peak (AUS) #1;<ref name="ARIA Charts" /> (NZ) #40<ref>{{cite web|url=http://charts.org.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Motor+Ace|title=NZ Charts}}</ref>
|-
* ''[[Animal (Motor Ace album)|Animal]]'' (2005) Chart Peak (AUS) #21<ref name="ARIA Charts" />
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2001|2001]] || ''Five Star Laundry'' || [[ARIA Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]]|| {{Nominated}} || rowspan="2"| <ref name="Rock">ARIA Award previous winners. {{cite web|url=http://ariaawards.com.au/history/award/best-rock-album|title=Winners By Award – 27th ARIA Awards 2013|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>

|-
=== EPs ===
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2002|2002]] || ''Shoot This'' || Best Rock Album || {{Nominated}}

|-
* ''Motor Ace'' (1999)
{{end}}

=== Singles ===

; From ''Five Star Laundry''

* "American Shoes" (2000) Triple J Hottest [tel:100 2000 100 2000] #65<ref name="JJJ H100 2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=2000&alltime=0|title=JJJ Hottest 100-2000}}</ref>
* "Criminal Past" (2000)
* "Chairman of the Board" (2000)
* "Five Star Laundry" (2000)
* "Death Defy" (2000) Triple J Hottest [tel:100 2000 100 2000] #98<ref name="JJJ H100 2000" />
* "Hey Driver" (2001) Chart Peak (AUS) #53<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue572.pdf|title=ARIA Report 572|deadurl=bot: unknown|archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue572.pdf|archivedate=21 February 2002|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Triple J Hottest [tel:100 2001 100 2001] #53<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=2001&alltime=0|title=JJJ Hottest 100-2001}}</ref>

; From ''Shoot This''

* "[[Carry On (Motor Ace song)|Carry On]]" (2002) Chart Peak (AUS) #13<ref name="ARIA Charts">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Motor+Ace|title=ARIA Charts}}</ref> Triple J Hottest [tel:100 2002 100 2002] #29<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?year=2002&alltime=0|title=JJJ Hottest 100-2002}}</ref>
* "[[Keeping Secrets (Motor Ace song)|Keeping Secrets]]" (2002) Chart Peak (AUS) #30<ref name="ARIA Charts" />

; From ''Animal''

* "Tomorrow's Gone" (2005) Chart Peak (AUS) #41<ref name="ARIA Charts" />
* "A Little Closer" (2005) Chart Peak (AUS) #99

== DVD ==

A DVD of Motor Ace's final show was released by [[Liberation Music]] and Daybreak Films on 19 March 2010.<ref>[http://www.liberation.com.au/artists/release/The_Time_The_Place The Time, The Place] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306073849/http://www.liberation.com.au/artists/release/The_Time_The_Place |date=6 March 2010 }} Liberation Music</ref> Filmed at the [[Hi-Fi Bar]] in Melbourne on 23 December 2005, it also incorporates some candid footage of the band from when they were in the USA and Japan, and also footage from the making of the "Carry On" video clip.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 80: Line 175:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Facebook|id=motoraceofficial}}

* {{facebook|pages/Motor-Ace/21078711025}}


{{Motor Ace}}
{{Motor Ace}}
Line 90: Line 184:
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1998]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1998]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2005]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2005]]
[[Category:Victoria (Australia) musical groups]]
[[Category:Victoria (state) musical groups]]
[[Category:Emo musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian emo musical groups]]

Latest revision as of 08:49, 9 June 2024

Motor Ace
OriginMelbourne, Australia
GenresAlternative rock, post-grunge
Years active1998–2005, 2018–present
LabelsSputnik/Festival Mushroom
MembersPatrick "Patch" Robertson
Dave Ong
Damian Costin
Matt Balfe
Past membersAlexander Reid

Motor Ace are an Australian alternative rock band. Formed in Melbourne around 1998 out of the remains of another band named Snowblind, their members are Patrick "Patch" Robertson (vocals/guitar), Damian Birchall Costin (drums), Matt Balfe (bass), and Dave Ong (guitar).

History

[edit]

1998–2000: Early history

[edit]

Motor Ace began recording their debut release, a self-titled EP, during April 1999. They worked with producer Paul McKercher, who had previously worked with bands such as You Am I and The Cruel Sea. Along with 28 Days, Machine Gun Fellatio, and NoKTuRNL, they were part of a collection of young Australian acts signed to Festival Mushroom Records' development label Sputnik, which launched in 1999. The eventual track listing of their self-titled release included "Chairman of the Board", "Chromakey", "Criminal Past", "Lowrider", and "Fluke". Triple J gave the band heavy airplay, assisting the band on their touring schedule. Afterwards, the singles "Death Defy" (which was later used as the title theme for TV show The Secret Life of Us), "American Shoes", and "Hey Driver" were released throughout the course of 2000. Some of them charted in the top 100 of the ARIAnet singles chart, while also gaining popularity on Triple J.[1]

2001–2004: Five Star Laundry and Shoot This

[edit]

Motor Ace's debut album, Five Star Laundry, was released in March 2001. It was produced and engineered by Craig Harnath and Chris Dickie in February 2000 at Melbourne's Sing Sing Studios. Due to a heatwave at the time, the nearby power stations had been shut down, and the band were forced to record across the four-week period without air conditioning. During this time, Robertson also lost his voice. According to the band, vocals for the album were completed at 2am on the day both Robertson and Costin were due to fly to London to mix the album with Chris Sheldon, who had previously worked with the Foo Fighters and Therapy?.[2] The album entered the Australian ARIA Chart at number 4.

Motor Ace's second studio album, Shoot This was released in July 2002. The album debuted at number 1 that year and was certified gold. Two singles, "Carry On" and "Keeping Secrets" reached the top 30 in the ARIA Chart.

Motor Ace were put on hold after their 2003 Japanese shows for Shoot This, after the pressuring touring and work schedule was beginning to take its toll on the band – particularly Robertson, who suffers from Crohn's disease. During this period, Costin started a music management group, Fat Guy Management (FGM), while Robertson retreated to his home in Fitzroy and began to develop his songwriting and production techniques. Ong, meanwhile, put together a country-influenced solo album under the name Joni Lightning. Towards the end of this hiatus, the band's management denied that they had split up.

2005: Animal and break-up

[edit]

Preceded by first single "Tomorrow's Gone" in May 2005, the band's third album Animal was released in August 2005. A second single, "A Little Closer", was released on 12 September 2005. Animal peaked at number 21 on the ARIA Charts.

In September 2005, Motor Ace announced that they would officially disband by the year's end, playing farewell shows in Melbourne and Perth during December.[3]

2006–2017: Post break-up

[edit]

The individual members remained on amicable terms in the following years. Robertson worked professionally scoring for film and television, and also began working with Aesop. Ong still occasionally performed around Melbourne with his Joni Lightning project, before picking up work on an oil rig. Costin continued to work in the music industry, eventually founding the company 123 Agency. Balfe went on to play guitar in Melbourne band Five Mile Sniper, and also works for Yarra Valley Water.[4] Both Robertson and Costin were also a part of the band Nighthawk, which formed in 2016.

2018: Reunion

[edit]

In August 2018, it was announced that Robertson, Ong, Costin and Balfe would reunite as Motor Ace for a headlining tour in March and April 2019.[5] The band also announced the release of both Five Star Laundry and Shoot This on vinyl, as well as releasing a compilation entitled B-Sides & Demos online.

In March 2022, Motor Ace released "Knock Knock", their first single in 17 Years.[6]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[7] 		NZ
[8]
Five Star Laundry
  • Released: March 2001
  • Label: Sputnik (333402)
 4 —
Shoot This
  • Released: August 2002
  • Label: Sputnik (335542)
 1 40
Animal
  • Released: August 2005
  • Label: Sputnik (339012)
 21 —

Compilations

[edit]
List of compilations, with selected details
Title Album details
Demos and B Sides
  • Released: 6 March 2019[11]
  • Label: Motor Ace

Video albums

[edit]
List of video albums, with selected details
Title Details
The Time the Place
  • Released: March 2010
  • Label: Liberation (LIBDVD1095_1)
  • Recorded: At the Hi-Fi Bar, 23 December 2005

Extended plays

[edit]
List of Extended plays, with selected details
Title EP details
Motor Ace
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: Sputnik (SPUT00002)

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[7]
"American Shoes" 2000 66 Five Star Laundry
"Death Defy" 66
"Hey Driver" 2001 53
"Carry On" 2002 13 Shoot This
"Keeping Secrets" 30
"Tomorrow's Gone" 2005 41 Animal
"A Little Closer" 99
"Knock Knock"[6] 2022 — TBA

Awards and nominations

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ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2001 Five Star Laundry Best Rock Album Nominated [12]
2002 Shoot This Best Rock Album Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Ace's High
  2. ^ Motor ace program RAGE
  3. ^ Songwriters: Motor Ace Archived 22 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "MOTOR ACE". Factory Theatre. Century Venues.
  5. ^ Mack, Emmy (14 August 2018). "Aussie Rockers Motor Ace Announce 20th Anniversary Reunion Tour". Music Feeds. Evolve Media. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  6. ^ a b "PREMIERE: Motor Ace Return With "Knock Knock", Their First Single In 17 Years". Music Feeds. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  7. ^ a b Peaks in Australia:
    • All top 50 peaks: "Discography Motor Ace". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
    • Peaks 51–100: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 195.
  8. ^ "NZ Charts".
  9. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  10. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  11. ^ "Demos and B Sides". Apple Music (iTunes Australia). Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  12. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "Winners By Award – 27th ARIA Awards 2013". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 11 April 2022.
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