The Temper Trap are a rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The Temper Trap first attracted the attention of the worldwide music industry after playing to sell-out crowds at the Musexpo in London in October 2008, and then at South by Southwest in March 2009. Rather than shying from the spotlight, the band seems to prefer it. Mandagi said in an interview that he's more intimidated by a small intimate venue than an arena. "Maybe I feel more exposed and vulnerable," he said.
The BBC chose The Temper Trap on its top 15 Sound of 2009.
In August 2009, the band played the Reading/Leeds Festival.
The band finished recording their debut album, Conditions, with veteran music producer Jim Abbiss in March of 2009 in London, after 4 weeks recording the bulk of the album in Melbourne in late 2008. Mandagi said his key influences when recording Conditions included Radiohead, Prince, Massive Attack and U2. The album was released in Australia on 19 June 2009, and debuted at #9 on the Australian ARIA Charts. It was released in the UK on 10 August, 2009.
The song "Science of Fear", which featured additional programming by DJ Shadow, features on the FIFA 10 soundtrack, was remixed by the Drum and Bass artist Mistabishi, and appeared on the Hospital Records podcast #79. The song "Sweet Disposition" was featured in the teaser trailer for 500 Days of Summer (and is also on the movie's official soundtrack), the Australian hit TV series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities and the Season 2 finale of Greek - "At World's End". The song also features in a commercial for Sky Sports football featuring Jose Mourinho for Sky Sports HD in the UK, in the commercial for Channel 4's coverage of the V Festival on 4Music, in the commercial for Peugeot 3008 in Scandinavia, in the UK's Big Brother 10 Finale night(best bits), it was also used on Sky's cricket coverage for an end of international season video, and the promo for the AFL Grand Final on Channel 10 in Australia.
The band moved to London in early May 2009 to "spend a bit of time on the continent and try and build a fan base over here," according to lead guitarist Lorenzo. He says "it was always our dream to at least come over here and give it a good crack early on." In the autumn the band embarked on their first headlining UK tour to largely sold out venues, such as the 250-capacity Hare and Hounds in Birmingham. The tour started in Brighton on September 17 and finished back there on September 29. They were supported by the Goldhawks.
Members
Chris Mandagi - vocals, guitar
Jonathon Aherne - bass
Lorenzo Sillitto - lead guitar, keyboards
Toby Dundas - drums