Highly anticipated Aussie vampire series Firebite is making its debut via AMC today, and it’s set to introduce millions of viewers across the globe to local artists that have some serious bite.
Filmed in South Australia, Firebite was helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Warwick Thornton, who was insistent that local talent, both on and off the screen, was the show’s main focus, and that includes its soundtrack.
“One of the only rules we actually had, which I started, was that every single song has to be by an Australian band,” Thornton said.
“And I'm not talking about the band that's sold 5 million albums, I'm talking about the band that hasn't recorded their first album…I'd rather that money went to a small band from Adelaide or from Melbourne who this could pay for their whole recording, or a couple of weeks recording, then to give it to some popular band that doesn't really need the money.
“Especially with COVID, none of these bands could tour. None of them could do anything. And they're great bands and they've got amazing music and they've got a lot to say in their lyrics and they're competent in their storytelling.
"And it's like, well, that's the kind of music we want. So that was the only rule, has to be Australian. And if you Google them and they've only got five likes, [even better].”
As a result, the below songs are featured throughout and with AMC on track to end the year with 9 million paid subs across AMC Networks’ SVODs, there’s a very good chance they’ll be picking up some new fans as Firebite season one rolls out.
The Coloured Stones - Black Boy
Amyl & The Sniffer - Some Mutts
Barker - Bow Down
Private Function - I Wish Australia Had Its Guns Again
Tex Perkins & The Fat Rubber Band - Out There
High Tension - Guillotine
Added to that, The Drones’ Dan Luscombe and Gareth Liddiard were enlisted to compose the score and perform original music for the show, joined by The Dirty Three drummer Steve White, so it’s not surprising that Thornton has described Firebite as a “rock’n’roll song”.
Firebite premieres today exclusively on AMC+, the new streaming bundle available via Amazon Prime Video Channels and Apple TV Channels.
