The Tote 2 Years Reborn: Magic Dirt
The Tote - Band Room (Collingwood, VIC)
Friday, 7 November 2025 8:00 pm
The Tote Celebrates 2 years Reborn across the month of November!
Magic Dirt Return to The Tote bandroom for the first time since 2022!
Magic Dirt, the seminal female fronted alternative rock band of the 90's
formed in 1991 out of the dust and noise of the industrial town of Geelong. It
wasn't long before the band was packing out pubs in Melbourne and
supporting bands such as Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth and Pavement. Their
second EP, 'Life Was Better' (1994), debuted at number 1 on the alternative
charts staying there for a staggering 75 weeks. As the band continued to grow
a massive live following touring the country, their much anticipated first album
arrived in the form of 'Friends In Danger' (1996), a dark, brooding and heavy
as all hell slab of sludge/slacker rock released by Warner Brothers U.S. They
then followed up with another blistering feedback drenched monster, 'Young
and Full of the Devil' (1998). The band was now recognised as a major live
drawcard and played many festivals including the Big Day Out, Livid, Meredith
Music Festival, Falls Festival and Splendour in the Grass.
In 2000 the band released 'What Are Rockstars Doing Today' which included
the anthemic guitar pop smash, 'Dirty Jeans', and propelled the band again to
tour the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Japan with the single reaching #12 on
JJJ's Hottest 100. In 2003, with their pop-edge firmly to the fore, the band
released the multi-ARIA Award nominated album 'Tough Love’ which hit #15
on the ARIA charts. Magic Dirt continued to blitz the national live music
circuit cementing their status as one of Australia's best loved and highly
respected bands.
In September 2006 they released their 5th critically acclaimed studio album,
'Snow White', again making a debut in the Top 40 and the band returned to
the road. Later that same year, after leaving Warner Australia, the band
released an experimental all noise album 'Roky's Room' and 'Beast', both to
be released on the bands own label, 'Emergency Music'. In 2008 with the
release of their 6th full length album, 'Girl', Magic Dirt embarked on their
biggest national tour to date, a whopping 42 date run.
Magic Dirt are a significant and essential part of Australian rock history with an
undeniable alchemy propelled by steadfast powerhouse drummer Adam
Robertson, the cool and mighty driving bass of Dean Turner, the super hooky,
super charged rock and roll blitz of lead guitarist Raul Sanchez, and the ever
compelling and distinct force of nature, lead singer and songwriter,
Adalita. Apart from the bands vigorous work ethic and the tenacious devotion
to their music the band have also, notably, recorded a John Peel session,
appeared on multiple movie soundtracks, Dean co-designed his own effects
pedal, the 'Big Bottom' with Tim Brennan of Tym Guitars, their song
'Bodysnatcher' was included in Toby Creswell's '1001 Songs: The Great
Songs of All Time and the Artists, Stories and Secrets Behind Them',
headlined the infamous Wanda Beach Surf Club show in Cronulla in 1995
which has it's own Facebook page and was attended by senior editor of
Rolling Stone America, David Fricke who said he hadn't seen anything like it
since the start of punk and of course, the band were also featured on an
Australian postage stamp.
In 2009 the band suffered the devastating loss of founding member and
bassist, Dean Turner and consequently after his passing, the band went on an
indefinite hiatus. Nearly a decade later, after a chance reunion in their
hometown of Geelong, the band have decided to hit the road again, in honour
of their bandmate and their long and extensive legacy.
With their inimitable chemistry Magic Dirt have amassed a legion of loyal and
devoted fans with whom they maintain a longstanding and important
relationship. Their high energy live shows are the stuff of legend. Magic Dirt
will continue to influence and inspire generations to come but for now the
band are excited to be on the road again and are looking forward to turnin' up
loud and rockin' out!
Magic Dirt Return to The Tote bandroom for the first time since 2022!
Magic Dirt, the seminal female fronted alternative rock band of the 90's
formed in 1991 out of the dust and noise of the industrial town of Geelong. It
wasn't long before the band was packing out pubs in Melbourne and
supporting bands such as Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth and Pavement. Their
second EP, 'Life Was Better' (1994), debuted at number 1 on the alternative
charts staying there for a staggering 75 weeks. As the band continued to grow
a massive live following touring the country, their much anticipated first album
arrived in the form of 'Friends In Danger' (1996), a dark, brooding and heavy
as all hell slab of sludge/slacker rock released by Warner Brothers U.S. They
then followed up with another blistering feedback drenched monster, 'Young
and Full of the Devil' (1998). The band was now recognised as a major live
drawcard and played many festivals including the Big Day Out, Livid, Meredith
Music Festival, Falls Festival and Splendour in the Grass.
In 2000 the band released 'What Are Rockstars Doing Today' which included
the anthemic guitar pop smash, 'Dirty Jeans', and propelled the band again to
tour the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Japan with the single reaching #12 on
JJJ's Hottest 100. In 2003, with their pop-edge firmly to the fore, the band
released the multi-ARIA Award nominated album 'Tough Love’ which hit #15
on the ARIA charts. Magic Dirt continued to blitz the national live music
circuit cementing their status as one of Australia's best loved and highly
respected bands.
In September 2006 they released their 5th critically acclaimed studio album,
'Snow White', again making a debut in the Top 40 and the band returned to
the road. Later that same year, after leaving Warner Australia, the band
released an experimental all noise album 'Roky's Room' and 'Beast', both to
be released on the bands own label, 'Emergency Music'. In 2008 with the
release of their 6th full length album, 'Girl', Magic Dirt embarked on their
biggest national tour to date, a whopping 42 date run.
Magic Dirt are a significant and essential part of Australian rock history with an
undeniable alchemy propelled by steadfast powerhouse drummer Adam
Robertson, the cool and mighty driving bass of Dean Turner, the super hooky,
super charged rock and roll blitz of lead guitarist Raul Sanchez, and the ever
compelling and distinct force of nature, lead singer and songwriter,
Adalita. Apart from the bands vigorous work ethic and the tenacious devotion
to their music the band have also, notably, recorded a John Peel session,
appeared on multiple movie soundtracks, Dean co-designed his own effects
pedal, the 'Big Bottom' with Tim Brennan of Tym Guitars, their song
'Bodysnatcher' was included in Toby Creswell's '1001 Songs: The Great
Songs of All Time and the Artists, Stories and Secrets Behind Them',
headlined the infamous Wanda Beach Surf Club show in Cronulla in 1995
which has it's own Facebook page and was attended by senior editor of
Rolling Stone America, David Fricke who said he hadn't seen anything like it
since the start of punk and of course, the band were also featured on an
Australian postage stamp.
In 2009 the band suffered the devastating loss of founding member and
bassist, Dean Turner and consequently after his passing, the band went on an
indefinite hiatus. Nearly a decade later, after a chance reunion in their
hometown of Geelong, the band have decided to hit the road again, in honour
of their bandmate and their long and extensive legacy.
With their inimitable chemistry Magic Dirt have amassed a legion of loyal and
devoted fans with whom they maintain a longstanding and important
relationship. Their high energy live shows are the stuff of legend. Magic Dirt
will continue to influence and inspire generations to come but for now the
band are excited to be on the road again and are looking forward to turnin' up
loud and rockin' out!