Magic Dirt

Geelong, Australia's fuzz-drenched noise unit Magic Dirt comprised vocalist Adalita Srsen, guitarist Dave Thomas, bassist Dean Turner and drummer Adam Robertson. Magic Dirt evolved from a series of bands, including the pop outfits Deer Bubbles and Detroit, before a cover of "Heroin" (recorded for a locally-produced Velvet Underground tribute collection) gained the group a cult following. After the release of a self-titled 1995 LP and subsequent live dates supporting Pavement, Sonic Youth, Hole and Dinosaur Jr., Magic Dirt became the subject of a major label bidding war; after signing to Warner Bros., the quartet issued Friends in Danger in late 1996. ~ Jason Ankeny