Chris Cheney

Christopher John Cheney (born 2 January 1975) is an Australian rock musician, record producer, and studio owner. He is the founding mainstay guitarist, songwriter, and lead vocalist of the rockabilly band The Living End, which was formed in 1994 with schoolmate Scott Owen. Cheney wrote the group's top 20 hits on the ARIA Singles Chart: "Second Solution" / "Prisoner of Society", "All Torn Down" (1999), "Pictures in the Mirror" (2000), "Roll On" (2001), "One Said to the Other" (2003), "What's on Your Radio" (2005), "Wake Up" (2006), and "White Noise" (2008). In 2004, Cheney joined the supergroup The Wrights which put out a cover version of Stevie Wright's epic 11-minute track, "Evie" as a single. At the 2009 APRA Music Awards, Cheney won Song of the Year for writing The Living End's track, "White Noise".

Biography

Personal life Cheney

Music career Cheney met Scott Owen at Jells Park Primary School and they began their career together in 1992, in a Melbourne band, The Runaway Boys, who took their name from a Stray Cats album, Runaway Boys – which Cheney cites as one of his favourites.

Solo career In March 2022, Cheney announced his debut solo album, The Storm before the Calm, to be released 17 June. Alongside the announcement was the release of its lead single "California" and its film clip directed by Nick McKinlay. Cheney would later release "Football Team" as the second single from the album. On 2 June, Cheney announced an Australian tour in support of his debut album, alongside the third single "Corner Shop", with a film clip directed by Sean McDonald.

Other music projects In 2003, Cheney performed alongside Australian rock veterans You Am I at the Big Day Out in Melbourne. They performed a track by The Clash as a tribute to Joe Strummer. In October 2004, Cheney joined the super group The Wrights, which performed a cover version of part one of Stevie Wright's track, "Evie – Let Your Hair Hang Down", at the ARIA Music Awards. On 6 September 2019, "I Won't Let You Down" was released as the album's third single. In 2021, he formed a rockabilly band with Jimmy Barnes and Slim Jim Phantom.

In March 2023, Barnes announced the formation of supergroup The Barnestormers, featuring Barnes, Cheney, Slim Jim Phantom, Jools Holland and Kevin Shirley. A self-titled album was released on 26 May 2023.

Equipment Cheney's principal instrument is a Gretsch White Falcon and he uses mainly distortion and modulation effects. He has his own signature series Gretsch guitars. He is endorsed by Gretsch Guitars and uses a number of Gretsch models, including his new signature model guitar.

Released: 17 June 2022 Label: Liberator Formats: CD, digital download 8

with The Living End

The Living End (1998) Roll On (2000) Modern Artillery (2003) State of Emergency (2006) White Noise (2008) The Ending Is Just the Beginning Repeating (2011) Shift (2016) Wunderbar (2018) I Only Trust Rock n Roll (2026)

Awards and nominations

Jack Awards

Best Lead Guitarist – 2004, 2005, and 2007 Best Male – 2006

APRA Awards The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).

"Don't Lose It" - Chris Cheney, Scott Owen, Andy Strachan, Tobias Kuhn Song of the Year