The Triffids

The Profile

The Triffids were an Australian rock band formed in Perth in the late 1970s, led by singer-songwriter David McComb. Revered for cinematic evocations of the Australian landscape and emotionally charged songwriting, they released acclaimed albums including Born Sandy Devotional (1986), Calenture (1987), and The Black Swan (1989) before disbanding in 1989. Their signature song is Wide Open Road.

Formed in Perth, Australia (late 1970s). Key members included David McComb, Robert McComb, Jill Birt, Alsy MacDonald, Martyn P. Casey, and Graham Lee. Notable releases: Treeless Plain (1983), Born Sandy Devotional (1986), In the Pines (1986), Calenture (1987), The Black Swan (1989). Signature track: Wide Open Road. Disbanded in 1989. David McComb died in 1999 at age 36. Their catalog has been reissued in later years.

Three DeBaser reviews dive into The Triffids’ stark, evocative rock: two on Born Sandy Devotional and one on Treeless Plain. They highlight David McComb’s lyrically intense landscapes and the band’s folk-rock/post-punk sweep. Standouts include Wide Open Road, The Seabirds, Lonely Stretch, and Stolen Property. The mood: windswept, cinematic, and deeply human.