Pendulum

Pendulum was founded in 2002 in Perth, Western Australia, by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen, and Paul “El Hornet” Harding. The trio initially began their careers as DJs, with Swire and McGrillen previously involved in rock and metal bands, and Harding active in the Perth drum and bass scene. Their collective experience laid the groundwork for their unique musical fusion. The band’s first track, ‘Vault’, released in 2003 on 31 Records, garnered attention, particularly in the UK, leading to their relocation to London that same year. This move marked a turning point, culminating in a record deal with Breakbeat Kaos and the release of their debut album, ‘Hold Your Colour’, in 2005. The album received positive critical reception and achieved commercial success, charting in both Australia and the United Kingdom, eventually being certified as a gold album in Australia.

Following the success of ‘Hold Your Colour’, Pendulum expanded its lineup in 2006, incorporating Ben Mount as MC, Peredur ap Gwynedd on guitar, and Paul Kodish on drums, transitioning into a sextet that performed live shows with a full band setup. The group continued to evolve its sound, evident in their subsequent albums. ‘In Silico’ (2008) introduced more rock elements while retaining their electronic foundations, reaching number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and number 9 in the Australian Albums Chart, in addition to appearing on Billboard’s Top Electronic Albums chart in the United States. ‘Immersion’ (2010), their third studio album, topped the UK charts and featured several successful singles, including ‘Watercolour’, which reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. After a period of hiatus from 2012 to 2015, during which Swire and McGrillen focused on their side project Knife Party, Pendulum reformed and has since continued to release new material and perform live, maintaining their status as a prominent act in electronic rock.

Over their career, Pendulum has embarked on multiple tours across Europe, North America, and Australia, performing at major festivals such as Download Festival, Glastonbury Festival, and Ultra Music Festival. They have also engaged in collaborations with various artists and remixed popular songs, showcasing their versatility and influence across different genres. Notable collaborations include tracks with Bullet For My Valentine and Armin van Buuren. Their work has been recognized with nominations and awards, including Best Electronic Producer and Best Live Electronic Act at the West Australian Music Industry Awards. The band’s continued output, including recent EPs ‘Elemental’ (2021) and ‘Anima’ (2023), and the announcement of their fourth studio album ‘Inertia’ set for 2025, demonstrates their enduring presence and impact on the electronic and rock music scenes.