Argus

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