In February 1997 the band recorded their debut album , with McKellar again , at Rockinghorse Studios in Byron Bay and mixed at Studio 301 in Sydney in April . The band considered the title , '' Sell Your Parents '' , but eventually decided on '' Guide to Better Living '' , after a 1960s catalogue of Sunbeam white goods . It had a slightly heavier sound than their earlier work . On 16 September 1997 they released the work on Grudge Records – an imprint of Universal Music Australia . It peaked at number 11 on the ARIA Albums Charts and by year 's end it was certified platinum with shipment of over 70,000 units in Australia . At the ARIA Music Awards of 1998 , Grinspoon received a nomination in the category ' Breakthrough Artist – Album ' for '' Guide to Better Living '' . It represents the sound and variety of their early career with heavier songs like " Pressure Tested 1984 " open the album , whilst in the middle are more classic rock songs like " Repeat " and " Do n't Go Away " and then towards the end the ballad " Bad Funk Stripe . " In Australia a limited edition was issued with a bonus CD featuring the single version of " Just Ace " , five live songs — illustrating the band 's sense of humour and ability to play live — and a hidden track , the acoustic " Protest " . The live tracks were recorded at Grudgefest in Sydney on Saturday 27 September 1997 . The United States branch of Universal Records signed the band by late 1998 and released an altered version of '' Guide to Better Living '' on 9 March 1999 . The cover was also modified with the band 's name and album title written in a different style . The album sold over 12,000 copies in the US on the back of extensive touring by the band in North America with bands such as Creed , Lit , Godsmack and Anthrax . The group 's second album , '' Easy '' followed in November 1999
ARIA Music Awards of 1998
ARIA Music Awards of 1998
Guide to Better Living