Argus profile picture

Argus

About Me

Get Argus' debut CD "Mighty Man" now at or download mp3s directly from this page on the store below!

Limited edition Argus T-shirts available now, to order email: [email protected]

Above - Shots from "Big Old Bob" film clip



Worldwide distribution through Universal


Cut from the Original filmclip, "Dooray" (above) - as seen on Rage (ABC ) and Noise TV ( SBS ).


Mat . Trent . Campbell . Peter

Argus are a 4 piece band that formed in Tasmania at the end of 2005. Lead singer / songwriter / guitarist Mat Bond, originaly from Papua New Guinea (a Tasmanian expatriate born in Lae-Morobe Province) was exposed to local Papua New Guinean cultural music from birth, made his first electric bass guitar at age 7 and was given a dulcimer at age 8, Mat was also lucky enough to receive classical guitar lessons before his family moved to Tasmania, when Mat was 15. At 16 Mat began classical vocal trainging before singing for a number of local Hobart bands. After years being a part of the local Tasmanian music and film scene, in 2004 Mat was asked to play in Miami at the "Hot Wet Miami Beach show" on the strength of one of his film soundtrack demos, but living on the other side of the world ended this idea without funding. Instead, he was made Artist of the month, August 2004 on the show's promotional web site. Mat then formed the beginings of Argus with Peter Milic and was asked to perform at the Blue Tiers Festival (Tasmania) at the end of 2005.
Originaly from Adelaide, Peter Milic (Bass) has been playing different instruments in various outfits around Australia and Europe for the past 20 years. Peter's influences include : Peter gabriel, Brian Eno, David Burn, Devo, Radio Birdman, and MC5.
Trent Spice (on drums) had been playing away in a place called Cygnet untill we enlisted him. Trents influences include : Pavement, Sonic Youth, and Pink Floyd.
Campbell Murphy (Keyboards) had been in different Australian outfits over the years, including supporting "Daryl Braithwaite" and "Spy vs Spy" - while on their national tours. One evening down the line, he got on stage with Argus at a club, he's never left (one of us !, one of us !). Campbells influences include : The Doors, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and a whole lot of Blues.
Campbell completes the group, which enables Argus to deliver its energetic, melody-based songs and passionate rock ballads in a way Mat couldn't do on his own. The unique flavour Argus fronts, comes from its members colourfull archive of musical tastes and lifelong love of music.
Early 2006, Argus scored a Licencing and Publishing promotional deal through Australian Music Marketing Abroad, for 3 songs and a 1/4 page spread in the 25th issue of their magazine, next to artists like "Cuba Gooding", "Don Johnson" and "Elvis Costello", the magazine was showcased at Midem-France and Popkomm-Germany.
From the month of September to October 2006 at Garageband.com, one of Argus' first demo songs recorded was voted (by the public)

Best male vocals
Best Guitars
Best Drums
Best Melody
Track of the Day on 20 Sept 2006 in Experimental Rock
Argus have played for many charity events including the Tasmanian Wilderness society, Tasmanian Raptor Refuge and the Blue Tiers Festival. Focussing on environmental issues and the preservation of native wildlife. Mat Bond has worked as a ranger for the Tasmanian Reptile Rescue service for the past 5 years, relocating Tiger snakes, Copperhead's and other reptiles.
In October 2007, Argus was signed to Warrior Records in L.A, with a worldwide distribution deal with Universal. Argus' first album is being released through
Warrior Records /UMGD first quarter, 2009!
For bookings, send a message to Argus here on this myspace page.
Photos of Argus by Brian Dimmick

" There's a bond between the 2 mythological characters Ulysses and Argus in Homer's Odyssey, that conceptually symbolizes the determination and direction inherent in the bond between the bands struggle to play, and the music that ended up being influenced by that struggle - so as the band grew, we realized things needed to be made with a kind of passion, with child-like needy obsession, sounded easy" - Mat.


Photo of Mat by Fiona Croft

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 22/02/2006
Band Website: http://www.argus.id.au
Band Members: MAT BOND-Singer Guitar
PETER MILIC-Bass
TRENT SPICE-Drums
CAMPBELL MURPHY-Keyboards

Influences: Arthur Lee
Moby Grape
Buddy Guy
Jimmy Page
BB King
The Doors
Johnny Cash
Roger Keith Barrett (Syd).
Hendrix
Love
Cream
Led Zeppelin
P.N.G - influenced rythme
Peter gabriel
Brian Eno
David Burn
Devo'
Radio Birdman
MC5
Pavement
Sonic Youth
Pink Floyd
Homer (Not Simpson !).
Andrew Bond
Ulysses Dog
+ Others

Sounds Like: Wild Men of Tasmania
Record Label: Warrior Records / UMGD
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Album Review -> Mighty Man..Refelections in a Golden Chord

Mighty Man..Refelections in a Golden Chord  Debut albums are [to me] always a source for both elation and consternation,often being the skeletal bedrock upon which later triumphs are built[the Beach B...
Posted by on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:19:00 GMT

Tasmanian CD launch

Tasmania CD launch at the Republic Bar in Hobart on the 2nd of July 2009.The debut album "Mighty Man" is available online at , Amazon and other online stores, soon to be out in Austalia through MGM, U...
Posted by on Fri, 22 May 2009 04:36:00 GMT

Argus debut CD "Mighty Man" now available at iTunes etc.

Argus' debut CD "Mighty Man" is finally available for purchase in its entirety online at , Amazon, CD Baby, and many others!Just search for "Argus", album "Mighty Man".If its not available at your fav...
Posted by on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:57:00 GMT

Limited edition Argus T-Shirts available

Limited edition Argus T-Shirts available now, orders essential - to order email [email protected] - subject "T-Shirt".$25AU + p&h, pay through paypal (for your safety and ours). Despatch on recei...
Posted by on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:33:00 GMT

Victorian Bushfire benefit at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston

We will be playing a gig at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston on the 21st of March, allong with members of Rose Tattoo, the Giants, Lowrider and a number of other great bands.money made will be going t...
Posted by on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:36:00 GMT

CD Coming First Quater 2009 + Big old Bob clip done

All the songs on the album are just about ready and the word from Warrior Records is that our debut CD will be coming at the beginning  of 2009. So all of the songs on myspace have been updated to Sam...
Posted by on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:58:00 GMT

Ice Management Deal with Argus

After some friendly talks, Argus has decided to sign a deal with Ice Management and Productions, Brenda who runs the show totally rocks, she'll be taking care of tour dates, festivals, ...
Posted by on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:24:00 GMT

Argus WEBSITE

The official Argus website is online at www.argus.id.au. All information on myspace plus more. There are still 1 or 2 small things to fix on the official site, to be fixed in the next day or so, but i...
Posted by on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:50:00 GMT

Vocals all recorded - ready for mixing

All the vocals have now been recorded for the album, including backup vocals, bells and whistles. We're still waiting to hear back from lala land, to see if there are any missing tracks or i...
Posted by on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:03:00 GMT

Argus are officially Signed to a Warrior / Universal Deal

We officially signed to Warrior Records and told we have Universal Distribution yesterday. Were stoked, Warrior are a great Label, they have had nothing but time and lots of guidance for us so far, pl...
Posted by on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:30:00 GMT