Dumb and the Ugly were an Australian avant-garde metal band. They formed in 1987 with Michael Sheridan (also in No and then Max Q) on guitar; John Murphy (Whirlywirld, Orchestra of Skin and Bone, Max Q) on drums and synthesisers; and David Brown (Mulch, Ultratune) on bass guitar and guitar. Murphy and Sheridan had worked together in previous bands, generally working behind Ollie Olsen.