The Drones

The Drones are an Australian rock band formed in Perth in 1997 and subsequently based in Melbourne. Known for their distinctive blend of garage rock, punk blues and noise rock, the band developed a reputation for intense live performances and Gareth Liddiard's often dark, politically charged and narrative-driven songwriting.

The band's line-up includes vocalist and guitarist Gareth Liddiard, bassist Fiona Kitschin, guitarist Dan Luscombe, drummer Christian Strybosch and keyboardist Steve Hesketh. Former members include guitarist and bassist Rui Pereira, guitarist James McCann, bassists Brendon Humphries, drummer Warren Hall and drummer Mike Noga, who played with the group between 2004 and 2014 and died in August 2020.

Their six studio albums are Here Come the Lies (2002), Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By (2005), Gala Mill (2006), Havilah (2008), I See Seaweed (2013) and Feelin Kinda Free (2016). They also released the compilation The Miller's Daughter (2005), several EPs and live recordings.

The band's second album, Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By, won the inaugural Australian Music Prize in 2006. Its opening track, Shark Fin Blues, was voted the greatest Australian song in a 2009 poll of Australian musicians conducted by triple j. Later albums saw the group move increasingly towards experimental and electronic sounds, particularly on Feelin Kinda Free.

The Drones went on hiatus following their 2016 tour, with Liddiard and Kitschin forming Tropical Fuck Storm in 2017 alongside Erica Dunn and Lauren Hammel. The group maintained that they had never formally broken up.

In June 2025, The Drones returned for two sold-out benefit concerts at Melbourne's Croxton Bandroom. They subsequently announced their first national Australian tour in a decade, performing across the country during August and September 2026. The returning line-up featured Liddiard, Kitschin, Luscombe, Strybosch and Hesketh.

2. The Drones (United Kingdom)

The Drones are a British punk rock band formed in Manchester in the mid-1970s. Originally performing as Rockslide, they became part of the emerging UK punk scene and performed at London's Roxy Club. Their early line-up included vocalist and guitarist M.J. Drone (Michael Howells), guitarist Gus Gangrene (Gary Callendar), bassist Steve 'Whisper' Cundall and drummer Pete Purrfect (Peter Howells).

The band released the EP Temptations of a White Collar Worker (1977), followed by the album Further Temptations (1977), which included the song Bone Idol. A second studio album, Sorted, appeared in 1999. The band has reunited in various configurations since its original period of activity, including a revival beginning in 2015.

3. The Drones (United Kingdom)

The Drones is also the name of a British contemporary string quartet, unrelated to either rock band.