In the early '90s, The Cruel Sea caused one of the most unexpected pop coups in the history of Australian music. Initially an instrumental side-project for a bunch of journeymen indie musos in Sydney, the band took a groove-based, surf-sound approach to rock. Their fortunes took a sudden swing towards the mainstream when Tex Perkins, the enigmatic singer from the Beasts of Bourbon, joined the group. Together, they produced a series of records that helped redefine Australian music in the '90s. 1993's The Honeymoon Is Over won five ARIA Awards, including Best Group, Best Album and Best Song.