Biography

"The male Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star)"
Sander Peelan 3PBS FM.

Andrew McCubbin is a singer/songwriter/musician who has been writing, recording, playing and touring for the last 15 years. His previous band, Lamia, released two albums to critical acclaim:

"The best new release is Skin...the freshest, most jolting and most original...DON'T MISS IT!"
**** Rolling Stone.

Lamia toured Australia six times on the back of these releases, played the Big Day Out and supported the likes of Morphine and The Cruel Sea. The band also appeared in an American MTV Showcase organised by Michael Stipe of REM, as well as appearing in Rolling Stone as one of "the coolest bands". They won an award for "Most Promising New Band" and the album, Skin, was awarded "Album of the Week" on RTR FM. Lamia also played live on JJJ, RRR and RTR FM.

Andrew McCubbin began his solo career in 2001 with the release in Australia of the single, “The Fog Song” and the album, “Dead Pilot” to critical acclaim. .

"Outstanding…truly affecting." **** Rolling Stone.

"...a heavenly voice appears and rocks you gently to sleep, melting away all your troubles and calming the seas…" Beat Magazine.

Andrew then toured solo through the UK and Europe in 2002 that took in England, Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands.

Upon returning Andrew McCubbin solidified his band line up by recruiting some of Melbourne’s finest musicians. The Hope Addicts were formed with Gary Aspinal on harmonium and guitar, Andy Papadopoulos on Double Bass, Mal Pinkerton on cello and Andrew McCubbin on vocals and guitar.

In Australia, Dead Pilot was Number 1 Album on 2VOX and 8CCC and was a Feature Album on 8CCC, Beau FM and 2UNE, a nationally broadcast community radio satellite network. In addition to this Andrew has been named one of the top three independent artists of Melbourne by Inpress Magazine.

2003 saw Andrew McCubbin & The Hope Addicts performing songs from Dead Pilot as well as a selection of new songs Andrew had been working on. Andrew moved in above a local Fitzroy pub and set up a recording studio - 1am - the best time to record music.

The new album, Steer, was written very quickly and, surprisingly, contained few of the new songs the band had been playing live. They recruited the vocal stylings of Philippa Nihill from The Underground Lovers and drumming skills of Shamus Goble from The Plums.

Steer will be released independently in the UK and Europe in April and in Australia in May 2004 through Unstable Ape Records. The gig guide section of this site has the details.

To contact the band email: andrewmccubbin@hotmail.com

The Hope Addicts

Gary Aspinal
(Harmonium/Guitar/Piano)
Gary Aspinal has been a part of the original music scene for over 15 years.
A talented guitarist, organist, pianist and singer, Gary has been an integral part of many bands such as his seminal 80's band The Summerfields and the more commercially known Killjoys.

Andy Papadopoulos
(Double Bass)
Andy has been playing in the Melbourne, live original music scene for about fifteen years. He has played in many bands including Helveln and currently plays with the Hope Addicts, Philippa Nihill (ex-Underground Lovers), Registered Nurse,Stutz, RootBound System and kinderland.

Mal Pinkerton
(Cello/Guitar)
Mal's cello playing is an integral and rich element to the Hope Addicts.
In addition to playing with Andrew, Mal's "other" band The Anyones have had considerable success over the last few years with high rotation on JJJ and considerable support from local radio.
Mal also plays with Melbourne musician Grand Salvo.