Tarmac Adam Tarmac Adam Tarmac Adam is a Melbourne based, Australian pop band that on its debut album featured two former members of Crowded House, bassist Nick Seymour and drummer Paul Hester. The band was formed in 2001 by singer-songwriter Matt O'Donnell and also included Sean McVitty (guitar) and Steve Paix (keyboards). The band released an album in 2003, "Handheld Torch", recorded in Melbourne and Dublin and produced by Seymour. The album was self-funded by O'Donnell after approaches to record companies by Seymour for a recording deal were rebuffed. He said he had written a batch of songs and began working with
The Fine Art of Surfacing around America leading up to "The Fine Art of Surfacing", drumming up publicity for the band in the States. During this time the Rats learned much about both American life and breaking into the American music market. This is a recurring theme on the album, sometimes taking a serious approach in looking at American society, in songs like "I Don't Like Mondays" and "Diamond Smiles," while other times looking at it in a downright silly and mocking manner in songs like "Nothing Happened Today" and "Having My Picture Taken," the album takes aim at 1979 life in classic punk style.