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Enigmatic Grinderman front man Nick Cave announced the band would disband at the weekend’s Meredith festival in rural Victoria – for good. So if you weren’t there or at Homebake festival the weekend prior you will have missed your last chance to see the surly rockers live  in full swing. But anyone that is a fan of Nick Cave knows his creative genius knows no end… so he’ll be back in one way or another (he has to be!) Perhaps just sans fellow band members and rock legends in their own right: Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos.

The loss of such iconic musicians in the Australian music scene got us to thinking, which other Aussie bands have called it quits that we wish were back packing out pubs and festival barricades.

Here’s 9 others we wish we still around:

The Middle East – ‘I Want that you are Always Happy’ has to be one of my favourite albums of this year. You can drown in it, and what a way to go. I almost cried when they announced their great divide at this year’s Splendour in the Grass. Let’s hope they find their way back together somehow – otherwise they aren’t really living up to their album title are they! Here's the video for one of their classic single's "Blood":

Red Riders – these guys have started a few side projects, one being Palms who are actually one of our unsigned find artists. Check them out here.  Regardless their final farewell gigs were packed to the rafters – which I hope twinged in them that they made the wrong decision. How good was this track "Ordinary"?

Avalanches – So these guys are supposedly releasing a new album (although they have been saying so for 5 years), Reegan swears he’s heard some new tracks…. Regardless, it’s been too long Avalanches! We loved your kooky sampling and even weirder music videos. Who could forget this one for " Since I Left You"

Spiderbait – you can’t deny that Kram’s side project is pretty damn cool. But who doesn’t remember losing their shit to Spiderbait at past Big Day Out’s and think – this is living.     

Whitley – Man these guys were tight. I must have seen them at least 10 times and they never failed to throw together an amazing live set with front man Lawrence Greenwood's hilarious anecdotes padding it out. Here's the official video for their single "Killer". 

The Cruel Sea – any good band that formed in the 80’s is likely to have to permanently unplug the amps sooner or later, but boy do I miss these boys. Their last tour was back in 2010 so it would seem the honeymoon is well and truly over. 

Silverchair – sadly the old swinging light bulb went out, and we’re still not sure why. Artistic differences (egotistical perhaps?) was said to be the reason… and they had begun to turn into just another a generic rock band, so perhaps it’s for the best. Tracks like Emotion sickness will always live on though.

Gerling - I have no idea why these guys spilt, but by crikey they new how to throw out a quirky indie dance track. Remember, “Dust Me Selecta”? What a tune.

The Sleepy Jackson – It’s been good to see front man Luke Steel splatter his creative streak into various side projects, such as Empire of the Sun. But who doesn’t miss the rockier vibes of the Perth outfit. 

Have we missed any? Let us know...