In the lead-up to triple j’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs this weekend, the Blunt Mag team are counting down their personal top ten – here’s Blunt US Editor Ned Tepper’s top picks.
A big thank you to Blunt Mag for giving me the most difficult task ever, naming my top ten Australian songs.
As everyone knows Australia is full of talent, whether it be the mainstream big time acts or the more alternative listening, we are home to some very talented artists! I’ve tackled this task with the mindset of ‘If I could only listen to ten Australian bands, who would they be and what song am I choosing?” So no Darryl Braithwaite or Barnsey in this list, I’m sorry!
10. Testeagles – Underdog
Pure nostalgic vibes, these guys were one of the first bands I ever saw live. The energy was intense and you have to love an Underdog right? With the band performing at last year’s Froth & Fury Fest, here’s hoping for some new music soon!
9. Silverchair – Pure Massacre
Those early days of Silverchair were something else, Frogstomp hit different. The lads from Newcastle did massive things for the Australian music scene. If only, we could see a comeback.
8. Alpha Wolf – Sucks 2 Suck (feat. Ice T)
These are one of those bands that you know with them in the scene, Australian alternative music is in safe hands. Ice T on the track is just the icing on the cake, what a killer combination. The video is gnarly as well!
7. The Fauves – Dogs Are The Best People
Gotta love the 90’s right? Dogs really are the best people and this song still slaps to this day.
6. Sunk Loto – Everything Everyway
Being a massive fan of Nu-Metal, I was so excited to have our very own representation in Sunk Loto. Their album ‘Between Birth & Death’ is arguably one of the best Australian alternative albums of all time, yeah I said it.
5. Windwaker – Infinity
Windwaker are my favourite Australian band, I love these guys. Their live shows are amazing and frontman Liam Guinane is truly charismatic. Hyperviolence was my album of the year in 2024 and once Infinity kicks in, you know things are about to get chaotic.
4. Grinspoon – Champion
How do you choose just one song from Grinspoon’s 1998 masterpiece Guide To Better Living? You can’t really, so I went with Champion. It’s an excellent hype up track and on my ‘Running’ playlist, it always gets you over the line. Special mention to DC x 3, not many could do a song about a Dead Cat and make it so, well… good! Side Note – Love the album artwork on this one, Valiant Chargers are the best old school cars.
3. Parkway Drive – Prey
What can you say about Parkway Drive? They have done it all in our scene, conquered the world. Most importantly, they have brought Australia into the worldwide spotlight once again. They recently performed at the Sydney Opera House and are now bringing their very own festival to our shores. Parkway are beyond legit, Prey is my favourite song of theirs.
2. Frenzal Rhomb – You are Not My Friend
We’ve pretty much heard every insult there is, every rapper on the planet tries to out shock each other and the cycle continues. Nothing has hit harder for me though than the Frenzal Rhomb 1999 line: ‘I was thinking that you needed a break, what I meant was every bone in your face’. I love this song and it easily could have been number 1, Frenzal Rhomb are amazing.
1. Polaris – Nightmare
Best ever? Right now for me, yes! Their entire Fatalism album is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s rare in 2025 when you can put an album on from start to finish and have it be so consistent, people’s attention spans are shorter than ever. The fact that it came out in 2023 as well? Paying homage to late guitarist Ryan Siew (RIP), the entire album is a timepiece that will hold its own for years to come, as will Polaris.
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