Erin Pearson
A REHEARSAL in Tasmania will deliver classic Grinspoon to Geelong next week, according to drummer Kristian Hopes.
He told the Independent fans could expect to “step back in time” when the legendary Australian rock band played the Eureka on Wednesday night.
“We had a show rehearsal in Hobart last month in front of a club’s staff and their mates. They threw in a few suggestions and we started mucking around playing a bunch of songs we haven’t played for years and had a ball,” Hopes told the Independent.
“We’ll keep these a secret until the show but Geelong fans will get the best of our new and old stuff.”
Many fans were drawn to Grinspoon for relatively contemporary hits such as Chemical Heart, Rock Show and Thrills, Kills and Sunday Pills but the band rode to fame on the back of hard-rock such as Black Friday and DCX3 (Dead Cat).
Hopes said the band had also moved away from “pop influences” and back to its heavier roots on latest album Six to Midnight.
“With Six to Midnight we paid for the album ourselves because we wanted to do it for us so we didn’t have that record company pressure,” Hopes said.
“It has an independent feel, taking our music back to the rock and roll roots – it’s what we do the best.”
“It’s basically a heavier sort of album for us.”
After its first Geelong gig in 1996, Grinspoon has since released chart-topper singles No Reason, New Detention and Hard Act To Follow. Other accolades include performing Better Off Alone at the 2006 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Melbourne, earning 13 ARIA nominations and winning Best Rock Album in 2005.
Hopes said the band recorded, Six To Midnight, its sixth studio album, in Grinspoon’s “spiritual homeland” of Byron Bay with legendary US producer Rick Will, who has worked with Johnny Cash, No Doubt and Nine Inch Nails.
“We’ve got young fans coming to the shows these days and people of all ages, even parents are coming with their kids,” Hopes laughed.
“We hope to be around a lot longer without getting outdated.
“We have another few generations to entertain to come yet.”
Hopes said Grinspoon planned to travel overseas after the national tour.
“We’ve been to a lot of places but we’re not over creating memories yet.
“The band is constantly striving for something new and we’re heading to Japan for a new record deal next year before heading back over to the UK, Europe and Germany.”
