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former riot grrrl,  ❀ but always riot grrl

The First Fleet was conceived by Tristan Grassick  and Michael Griggs in a home studio in Camden, a suburb on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia in September 2010.

Soon after, Tristan moved to London to discover a musical diversity that Sydney’s limited music scene failed to provide, while Michael travelled Europe to explore live music and culture. They reunited in February 2011, sharing a room in North London (Where Michael slept in a tent fashioned out of an upturned wardrobe and a flag). And so, The First Fleet was born.

The duo played their first gig armed with acoustic guitars and trash cans at an Ear music night at The Silver Bullet in Finsbury Park, London.

It was here they met the young artist Rae Goddard. She took pity on the dustbin-bashing boys and selflessly offered up her drum kit (minus a snare; a floor tom with a t-shirt on the skin, full of rice and pennies, sufficed) They bonded immediately, and from then there were three. Her elegantly manic style on drums added a seasick intensity to the band's sound.

The trio moved in together to a small mouldy flat in Tottenham. Soon after they joined forces with New Zealander violinist Charmian Keay. Her orchestral background added beauty and drama to The First Fleet's music, complementing the songs with twisting melodies that hung unresolved, haunting the rumbling and boisterous sound of the other three members. 

These two graceful, yet surprisingly fierce girls were the perfect addition to what already existed in the rough-round-the-edges, testosterone led First Fleet; with front-man Tristan’s instantly addictive melodies and guitarist Michael’s ability to seamlessly weave harmonies and motives together. 

Dubbed as ‘angry folk’ by St Mortiz Club in Soho, and describing themselves as skiffle driven, DIY hittin’ nomad blues their live shows soon became characterised by their playfully aggressive stage presence that demands the undivided attention of the room. They’re recognised as being an informal foursome free from self-importance, with a frivolous approach to their performances. Laughs were had by all watching their live performance on the London Overground (Soundtracks Festival 2011) from New Cross to Dalston, followed by a street performance, purposelessly dressed in drag and circus attire.

In October 2011 The First Fleet, along side producer and engineer Dean Tuza (The Rubens) climbed aboard Lightship 95, a studio floating on the River Thames to record their first E.P ‘Clean’. The four track E.P, mixed at Plus 22 studios in New York, features additional percussion, trumpet, bass and an impromptu backing choir of students rounded up from a local dance school. The First Fleet’s ‘Clean’ E.P is set for release in April.

And this is just the beginning.

Followers of The First Fleet