Heavy music community reacts to Stu Harvey leaving Short.Fast.Loud

Last night, Stu Harvey announced he is stepping down as host of triple j’s eleven-year-old worship of heavy music, Short.Fast.Loud. While Harvey’s work as co-Head of Cooking Vinyl Australia will continue to see him contribute to the heavy music community, both as a flag bearer, trend signifier and an authoritative voice of the genre’s formidable relevance, December 10 will mark the end of an era. Following his final show this month, arguably SFL’s biggest fan Josh Merriel will be handed the baton.

TMN reached out to Australia’s heavy music community to ask for their reaction to the news.

AJ Maddah, Chris O'Brien and the team at Soundwave

"Remember the first time you ever heard Refused or Millencolin or Shelter or Face To Face or The Vandals? I do and it was all thanks to Stu Harvey.

"Stu has been the mouth piece and flag bearer for Punk Rock and Hardcore music in Australia for over 20 years. Long before taking SFL to triple jhe was Mondo Bizarro on 97.9FM in Melton and then 3RRR. That’s where we found our next favourite band and the fact that those genre’s pulled the biggest crowds in Melbourne before SFL is testament to Stu’s influence. The guy was always ahead of the curve, introducing artists that would go on to become international sensations and/or local heroes. The Punk Rock/Hardcore scene never had a voice on national radio and we’re going to miss his knowledge, passion and sheer determination as a champion for our music.

"Stu you will be missed on our airwaves but thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredible contribution to the music we love. And how punk rock of you to walk away just so as to make yourself available for Wednesday night indoor cricket. Probably."

Lindsay McDougall
triple j/Frenzal Rhomb

“Finally confessing that he is not at all Short, Fast, or particularly Loud, Stu Harvey is leaving triple j!

“Apart from playing pretty much all my mates' (and brothers') bands on his radio show, Stu has also actually helped out with our music writing. I remember one Wednesday night mid-2006 in Adelaide, our bass player Tom's hometown. We'd spent the day writing songs and were working on some serious lyrical ideas, when 10 o'clock rolled around, and I think it was our drummer Gordy's idea to text Stu's show with some of our sweet verses and rhymes, for a bit of critique. I can't remember if we got anything constructive back, or if Stu just played a Misfits song for us and told us to stop texting, but no doubt it somehow had a positive effect on the music we went on to record.

“Nice work Stu, I'll see you at the next old punk rock guys' AGM.”

Luke Logemann
Head of Recorded Music, UNFD

“I remember listening to Stu Harvey’s first ever show back in 2003, and thinking to myself how insane it was to hear real punk and hardcore music on national radio. Back then I was running a small indie label, and it was probably the highlight of my career to that point to hear obscure bands like Sans Chavelle and Staying At Home played on the radio. Since then, heavy music has exploded in Australia. A lot of that has to do with Stu Harvey and SFL, as well as Parkway Drive, Blunt Magazine and Soundwave – and all four played an equal part in making this music as popular and accepted in our country, as well as overseas.

“Every week in the UNFD office, we stream the entire show on Thursday morning. We will continue to do so with Josh at the helm, but we will definitely miss Stu’s voice on the radio each week. We are just stoked that now he will have more time to drink beers with us instead.”

Lachlan Marks
Managing Editor, Blunt Magazine/Australian Guitar

“While Stu might be heading off, he does so after building SFL up for over a decade into a much-needed institution that provides a home for inspired music that would otherwise never get played on a national broadcaster.

“This is where kids go to find their new favourite band, local punkers experience the thrill of hearing their own recordings on the radio for the first time and old school warriors quietly brush up on what's happening in the scene.

“There's very few people in the punk/hardcore/whatever-you-wanna-call-it-this-week community that don't owe this fellow a beer or six.

I hope he now has a chance to properly enjoy them!”

Rod Yates
Editor, Rolling Stone Australia

“I’m sad to see Stu moving on from Short.Fast.Loud – his dedication to all things punk and hardcore over the past 11 years has been incredible, and his passion for the local scene in particular has been integral to helping it prosper. I remember when Stu first started S.F.L., and it immediately became apparent he was filling a gaping hole on the nation’s airwaves. Wednesday nights simply won’t be the same without his velvet tones! On the upside, at least he’s free to really focus on his indoor cricket career now and not worry about scheduling clashes.”

Emily Kelly
Co-Founder, Deathproof PR

“When I first starting working with Stu almost a decade ago I was secretly super fangirl stoked to be in the company of “triple j’s Stu Harvey”. Almost a decade later and not that much has changed. I’m still just as thrilled to work alongside him although his influence has reached far beyond the triple j airwaves.

“Stu not only delivered the goods weekly on Short Fast Loud for those of us eager for new punk rock tunes (and eager to like them before anyone else did), but he delivered as a consummate professional behind the scenes as well. He’s got that killer combo of having one ear firmly to the ground (or eye on the message boards as it may be) while still being enthused enough to head out and hunt for new gems on his own.

“I think it’s genuinely impressive that his enthusiasm doesn’t seem to have waned in all that time as a professional. You see many people lose that spark once music becomes their 9-5 butI have spied Stu in more moshpits than I suspect he would care to admit.”

Graham Nixon
Owner, Resist Records

“Without Stu there would be no Short.Fast.Loud. His support to the punk and hardcore community has given a lot of local and international bands a platform to be heard by the masses each week, whether it was a new release or a tour to be promoted, Stu was happy to give a band a spin regardless of how big or small they were.”

Mick Tarbuk
Label Director, Shock Records

“Huge surprise as I’ve always associated Short.Fast.Loud with Stu. Congratulations on 11 years and for being an absolute legend and gentlemen. Congrats also go to Joshua on scoring the new the gig.”

John Howarth
Australia & New Zealand Operations Manager, Nuclear Blast Australia

‘’Stu Harvey has been an integral part of the Heavy and Punk music scene here what seems forever! A great host, Stu will leave a legacy for sure! A lot of bands have Stu to thank for contributing to their success. Stu and SFL opened a lot of doors for a lot of bands and he will sorely be missed but I am sure he will help SFL put it into good hands.’’

Genna Alexopoulos
Founder, Super Duper PR

“When someone like Stu Harvey announces that he is moving on from something he has built from the ground up, you just can’t question it. He has spent 11 years championing punk and hardcore music in Australia off his own bat. Without him, those scenes would never be as strong and tight-knit as they are today, and that’s one of the reasons why he is so highly regarded and respected among both the music industry and the general public. That’s not something you can walk away from lightly. I am so, so incredibly stoked for him, and proud to have worked with him during his SFL years.”

Chris Maric
Founder, Maric Media

“All things must come to an end. Some things still shock you when they do though. Stu Harvey has been and still is instrumental in making things that are Short, Fast and Loud become so high profile in Australia that Top 5 debuts from bands he has broken are commonplace. A true champion of local music, Stu has my total respect and will leave a massive legacy in his wake. Best of luck mate and thanks for your support and everything you’ve done.”

Mark ‘Mawds’ Bawden
Artist, Break Even

"It's a shame to hear Stu will be leaving SFL, he has always been a proud supporter of great music and more so, great local music. Always doing his best looking out for the up and coming bands around Australia.

“He will be sadly missed from my radio on a Wednesday night, all the best to one of the biggest legends and highly respected people involved in Australian music!”

Adrian Kelly
Artist Manager, NMA Management

“Stu Harvey is a true legend who has helped out countless bands, both Aussie and international, get in people's faces where most others couldn't care less. His contribution to Aussie ska cannot be ignored.”

The Smith Street Band
Artist

“Stu Harvey was probably the first person to play one of our songs on the radio a few years back (couldn't believe it when it happened!) and he's given us so much love and support ever since. And there's a whole slather of Australian punk/whatever bands who have the same story. We all owe a lot to Stu and he will be missed! Good luck for the future dude! Xo”

Post taken from Facebook

The Bennies
Artist

“Stu has been a massive support for so many upcoming/established Australian/international bands.He has been extremely helpful for our band and a super rad cunt!We wanna wish him luck with his next ventures!Good luck dude!!

“MUCH LOVE xoxoxo”

Post taken from Facebook

Poison City Records

“I spent the middle/end of my teenage years listening to Stu on 3RIM and PBS. Not only did his show give me an avenue for discovering new music, it also made me feel like it was okay to not be into football/cricket/pub rock. When he first moved over totriple jwith a new show,Short.Fast.Loud, I was stoked to know that his passion, exuberance and support of punk music would extend to a national audience of youth experiencing teenage years of similar discontent to mine.

“Stu, on behalf ofpoison city recordsI'd like to thank you for all the effort you've put into supporting our national scene, and for the continual respect for, and support of local bands, venues, and all the individuals involved.

“And, on a personal note- thanks buddy. It's been pretty great. Xxx”

Post taken from Facebook