Blab Music
Powderfingers Double Allergic Turns 30, Marking Three Decades of Australian Alternative Rock
On 2 September 2026, the streets of Brisbane echoed with the sound of an album that, three decades earlier, had set the tone for a generation of Aussie alternative rock. The band’s second studio effort, Double Allergic, arrived on the same date in 1996 under Polydor, and its anniversary celebration underscored the record’s enduring influence.
Produced by Tim Whitten, the album followed the debut Parables for Wooden Ears and pushed Powderfinger from local notoriety to national prominence. It debuted at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart, remained in the Top 10 for ten weeks, and finished 1996 as the 44th best‑selling Australian album. By the end of 1997 it ranked 53rd for the year, and the Australian Recording Industry Association awarded it triple platinum for shipments of at least 210,000 units.
The group’s approach to Double Allergic differed markedly from their first outing. Guitarist Darren Middleton called the material “by far the best thing we’ve done” at the time, while vocalist Bernard Fanning noted that the arrangements were more spacious and less intricate. Guitarist Ian Haug added that the songs leaned toward melody and contained fewer time‑signature changes. Whitten’s production balanced his own ideas with the band’s vision, allowing the recording to be more economical and focused.
Four singles emerged from the album. “Pick You Up,” released in April 1996, peaked at No. 23 on the ARIA Singles Chart and reached No. 6 in the 1996 Triple J Hottest 100. “D.A.F.” followed in August, charting at No. 39 and landing at No. 18 in the Hottest 100. The later releases “Living Type” (November 1996) and “Take Me In” (May 1997) did not chart on the ARIA Singles list, yet “Living Type” was voted into the 1996 Hottest 100. The tracks showcased Fanning’s songwriting breadth: “Living Type” explored the Manson Family cult, while “Take Me In” responded to newspaper reports about perceived police hypocrisy.
The 12‑track album ends with “(Return of) The Electric Horseman,” which hides three additional songs—“Vladimir,” “SS,” and “Come Away.” The hidden track “Come Away” marked the first Powderfinger recording with Middleton on lead vocals and featured a spoken sample by bassist John Collins.
At the 1997 ARIA Awards, Double Allergic earned five nominations: Album of the Year, Highest‑Selling Album, Best Alternative Release, Producer of the Year, and Best Group. The singles “D.A.F.” and “Pick You Up” were also nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year, but the band did not win.
The album’s legacy lies in its role as a bridge between Powderfinger’s early work and the broader national career that followed. Its shift toward melodic arrangements and greater use of space enabled the group to operate within alternative rock while appealing to a wider audience. The commercial performance and chart history illustrate the scale of that transition.
Today, Double Allergic remains a key document in Powderfinger’s catalogue and a snapshot of mid‑1990s Australian alternative rock. The 30th‑anniversary celebration highlights the album’s lasting influence and the band’s contribution to the Australian music landscape.
Produced by Tim Whitten, the album followed the debut Parables for Wooden Ears and pushed Powderfinger from local notoriety to national prominence. It debuted at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart, remained in the Top 10 for ten weeks, and finished 1996 as the 44th best‑selling Australian album. By the end of 1997 it ranked 53rd for the year, and the Australian Recording Industry Association awarded it triple platinum for shipments of at least 210,000 units.
The group’s approach to Double Allergic differed markedly from their first outing. Guitarist Darren Middleton called the material “by far the best thing we’ve done” at the time, while vocalist Bernard Fanning noted that the arrangements were more spacious and less intricate. Guitarist Ian Haug added that the songs leaned toward melody and contained fewer time‑signature changes. Whitten’s production balanced his own ideas with the band’s vision, allowing the recording to be more economical and focused.
Four singles emerged from the album. “Pick You Up,” released in April 1996, peaked at No. 23 on the ARIA Singles Chart and reached No. 6 in the 1996 Triple J Hottest 100. “D.A.F.” followed in August, charting at No. 39 and landing at No. 18 in the Hottest 100. The later releases “Living Type” (November 1996) and “Take Me In” (May 1997) did not chart on the ARIA Singles list, yet “Living Type” was voted into the 1996 Hottest 100. The tracks showcased Fanning’s songwriting breadth: “Living Type” explored the Manson Family cult, while “Take Me In” responded to newspaper reports about perceived police hypocrisy.
The 12‑track album ends with “(Return of) The Electric Horseman,” which hides three additional songs—“Vladimir,” “SS,” and “Come Away.” The hidden track “Come Away” marked the first Powderfinger recording with Middleton on lead vocals and featured a spoken sample by bassist John Collins.
At the 1997 ARIA Awards, Double Allergic earned five nominations: Album of the Year, Highest‑Selling Album, Best Alternative Release, Producer of the Year, and Best Group. The singles “D.A.F.” and “Pick You Up” were also nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year, but the band did not win.
The album’s legacy lies in its role as a bridge between Powderfinger’s early work and the broader national career that followed. Its shift toward melodic arrangements and greater use of space enabled the group to operate within alternative rock while appealing to a wider audience. The commercial performance and chart history illustrate the scale of that transition.
Today, Double Allergic remains a key document in Powderfinger’s catalogue and a snapshot of mid‑1990s Australian alternative rock. The 30th‑anniversary celebration highlights the album’s lasting influence and the band’s contribution to the Australian music landscape.
