Ambrose Kenny-Smith

Ambrose Kenny-Smith
Kenny-Smith in 2024
Born (1992-07-20) 20 July 1992
Other namesAmby, Kenny, Uncle Murl, Shrimp, Shrimpomaniac
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • skater
Years active2000-present
Spouse
Tessa Kenny-Smith
​
​
(m. 2023)​
Parents
Musical career
OriginGeelong, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Instruments
  • Harmonica
  • vocals
  • keyboards
  • percussion
  • guitar
  • saxophone
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
  • Sambrose Automobile
Signature

Ambrose Thomas Kenny-Smith (born 20 July 1992)[1] is an Australian singer, songwriter and multi‑instrumentalist. He is a member of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, to which he contributes vocals, harmonica, keyboards, saxophone, and occasionally guitar, and the lead vocalist and harmonica player of the Murlocs.[2][3] With the Murlocs, Kenny‑Smith earned multiple entries on the ARIA Charts, including a top ten for Bittersweet Demons (2021).[4] In 2024 he released the collaborative album Ill Times with Jay Watson (as GUM), the inaugural release on King Gizzard's label p(doom) Records.[5][6]

Early life

Kenny-Smith was born in Geelong, Victoria, and grew up in Castlemaine and Ocean Grove.[7][8] His father was musician and actor Broderick Smith, and his mother is model and yoga instructor Lou (Louise) Kenny.[9] Kenny‑Smith was a talented skateboarder in his youth, gaining sponsorships and living a nomadic lifestyle, before turning his main focus to music.[10] He has recalled being teased by older skateboarding peers for his interest in music.[11]

Influences

Kenny‑Smith has cited influences including John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, John and Emma Rhodes,[12]Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Terry,[7]Etta James,[10] and The Blues Brothers.[13] His first musical experiences involved listening to blues records as he fell asleep and busking.[10][13] He started a band called Sambrose Automobile with Sam Cooper, Lucas Skinner, and Lonnie Carland in 2007, influenced by Delta blues and soul music.[14]

Career

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Kenny‑Smith joined Melbourne band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard early in its history, becoming the last member of the group's core lineup.[2] After seeing the band perform, he joined at age 17 while the other members of the band were in college together, taking up harmonica for them.[15] Within the band he contributes vocals, harmonica, keyboards and saxophone on recordings and in concert.[2] King Gizzard's 2013 album Eyes Like the Sky, a spoken‑word “Western audio‑book” concept record, was narrated by Kenny‑Smith's father, Australian musician Broderick Smith.[16]

The Murlocs

Kenny‑Smith fronts the Murlocs as lead singer and harmonica player. The group's garage‑rock and R&B‑tinged sound has been noted for his “powerful, wailing” vocals and gritty harmonica.[10][3] The band achieved its first ARIA Top 20 appearances with Old Locomotive (No. 15, 2017) and Manic Candid Episode (No. 16, 2019), and entered the top ten with Bittersweet Demons (No. 6; also No. 1 on the ARIA Vinyl Albums Chart) in 2021.[4] The protagonist on the Murlocs’ 2022 concept album Rapscallion was inspired by Kenny‑Smith's time skateboarding and living more nomadically during his youth.[10]

Collaboration with GUM (Ill Times)

In July 2024, Kenny‑Smith and Jay Watson released the joint album Ill Times, credited to GUM / Ambrose Kenny‑Smith.[5] The record was the first release on King Gizzard's own p(doom) imprint.[6] Australian public broadcaster Double J reviewed the album as “marking a healthy beginning” for the label.[17] Critics highlighted its groove‑heavy blend of soul, synth‑pop and psych‑rock, and noted the album's lyrical tributes to Kenny‑Smith's late father, including opener “Dud”.[18] The artists also framed the record around themes of loss, grief and resilience.[8]

Personal life

Kenny‑Smith is the son of musician Broderick Smith (1948–2023), frontman of The Dingoes. Smith died on 30 April 2023, and Ambrose paid tribute publicly in the days following.[19] Kenny‑Smith has spoken about experiencing anxiety,[12] and has a cat named Cosmo.[13]

Kenny-Smith married his wife, Tessa, on February 18, 2023, after more than ten years together.[20][21]

Discography

  • Collaborative albums

References

  1. ^Harwood, Lucas [@duskytracks]; (20 July 2022). "Happy 30th @instagrambrose - you'll forever be my blues brother xo" – via Instagram.
  2. ^ abcGreenhaus, Mike (11 May 2023). "King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: A Beautiful Mind Fuzz". Relix. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  3. ^ abUsinger, Mike (10 April 2019). "The Murlocs branch out with Manic Candid Episode". Georgia Straight. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  4. ^ ab"Olivia Rodrigo's SOUR holds ARIA Albums Chart #1 for sixth week". ARIA. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  5. ^ abcPearis, Bill (7 May 2024). "GUM / Ambrose Kenny‑Smith (King Gizzard / Tame Impala) announce Ill Times LP, share title track". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  6. ^ ab"GUM / Ambrose Kenny‑Smith – "Ill Times"". Stereogum. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  7. ^ abThorley, Matt (30 July 2021). "Skating, Growing Up and Bittersweet Demons – A chat with Ambrose Kenny-Smith of The Murlocs". Trouble Juice. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  8. ^ ab"GUM / Ambrose Kenny‑Smith – Ill Times (p(doom))". Shine On. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  9. ^Capone, Alesha (28 January 2020). "King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard muso's Ocean Grove family house sold by model Lou Kenny". realestate.com.au. REA Group. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  10. ^ abcdeHandler, Shane (15 June 2021). "No Slowing Down Ambrose Kenny-Smith: Amby Talks New Murlocs Album & Balancing King Gizzard & His Other Band (INTERVIEW)". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  11. ^"TURNED OUT A PUNK: Episode 349 – Ambrose Kenny‑Smith (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Murlocs)". YouTube. Turned Out a Punk. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  12. ^ abJohnson, Tommy (30 June 2021). "Remembering The Loved Ones: An Interview With Ambrose Kenny‑Smith of The Murlocs". Ghettoblaster. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  13. ^ abc"Ep. 0016 Ambrose Kenny‑Smith [The Murlocs, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard] – Couch Radio Podcast". YouTube. Garden Horse. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  14. ^"Sambrose Automobile". Discogs. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  15. ^"A Brief History of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard". YouTube. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  16. ^Newstead, Al (21 February 2023). "'Eyes Like The Sky' proved that King Gizzard were more than just another lo‑fi garage band". Double J (ABC). Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  17. ^Newstead, Al (21 July 2024). "GUM & Ambrose Kenny‑Smith — Ill Times". Double J (ABC). Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  18. ^Glasgow, Isabel (18 July 2024). "GUM/Ambrose Kenny‑Smith Make the Most of Ill Times". Exclaim!. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  19. ^Murray-Atfield, Yara (1 May 2023). "Broderick Smith, musician and The Dingoes frontman, dies, aged 75". ABC News. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  20. ^"Inside this Melbourne couple's dreamy city wedding". 15 May 2023.
  21. ^"Instagram".
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