CM Murphy’s label signs first band since INXS

Chris Murphy’s record label Petrol Records has today announced its first major signing since INXS inked a deal with their long-time manager five years ago.

Sydney five-piece Lepers & Crooks formed in March 2012 and last year approached Murphy to sign them.

"When I signed INXS to the Petrol label, I had no intention of signing any other bands to the label at that time and until I met the Lepers & Crooks guys, I was still not looking to sign anyone," Murphy told TMN. "Over the past year this band has developed into a phenomenal live act that has the potential to play stadiums which has excited me so much that I have decided to sign them to Petrol

Lepers & Crooks have just kicked off a 50-date regional tour in support of their Her Kiss EP. Ashton Irwin of AMA and ARIA Award-winning pop band 5 Seconds of Summer and Leighton Cauchi of Sony signing Little Sea were both in attendance on the band’s last tour, which saw them play 30 dates across Australia.

"They have the same passion and desire to succeed [as INXS] with the work ethic to match," added Murphy.

“2014 was an amazing year for us, we have learnt so much and keep developing our craft under the watchful eye and guidance of CM Murphy and his team,” said the band in a statement. “We are extremely honoured to be signed to the amazing Petrol Label and to be in such iconic company as INXS.”

The band has signed to Murphy Petrol Group for bookings and has a management deal with Murphy Rights Management. Identity PR cover publicity.

Last July Murphy Rights Management struck its first global signing with Sydney-born Hollywood-based film composer Bryce Jacobs.

Since Murphy launched Petrol Records in 2001, he has re-released the INXS catalogue, including 2014’s #1 selling album in Australia, The Very Best, created and released a compilation series and inked a distribution deal with Time Warner LIFE (in 2004), which made Petrol one of the first independent labels to sign a major deal with Apple iTunes Music Stores worldwide.