Editing Primitive Calculators (section)

{{short description|Australian post-punk band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist
| background      = group_or_band
| name            = Primitive Calculators
| image           = 
| image_size      = 
| image_upright   = 
| landscape       = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt             = 
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| alias           = 
| origin          = Melbourne, Australia
| genre           = {{Hlist|[[Post-punk]]|[[synth punk]]|[[noise rock]]|[[Electronic music|electronic]]}}
| discography     =
| years_active    = {{Hlist|{{Start date|1978}}–{{End date|1980}}|{{Start date|2009}}–{{End date|2018}}}}
| label           = [[Chapter Music|Chapter]]
| spinoffs        = 
| spinoff_of      = 
| current_members = 
| past_members    = * Stuart Grant
* David Light
* Frank Lovece
* Denise Rosenberg
| website         = {{URL|primitivecalculators.com}}
}}

'''Primitive Calculators''' were an Australian [[post-punk]] band, formed in 1978. Described by British critic [[Everett True]] as sounding like "a very aggressive [[Suicide (band)|Suicide]]",<ref>[[Everett True|True, Everett]] (8 January 2009). [https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2009/jan/07/melbourne-indie-bands "True Tales: Melbourne's musical treasures"], ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 20 May 2017.</ref> the band were known for their mix of harsh guitar [[noise music|noise]], fast and repetitive [[drum machine]] beats, and abrasive synthesisers. Along with fellow Melbourne act [[Whirlywirld]], the Primitive Calculators played a leading role in founding the experimental [[Little Band Scene]] of the late 1970s, wherein both bands and other acts formed numerous short-lived bands by frequently swapping members and inviting non-musicians to join in at live shows. They reformed periodically, with a live self-titled album released in 1982, which had been recorded at a 1979 performance. Primitive Calculators reunited again in 2009.