On the march into Geelong

Alex de Vos
Augie March’s highly anticipated fourth album, Watch Me Disappear, has failed to set the charts alight admits drummer Dave Williams.
Despite the Melbourne band’s rising popularity, the album failed to strike a chord with audiences still riding high on the group’s third release, Moo, You Bloody Choir – the album that catapulted the group into the international spotlight.
“Watch Me Disappear hasn’t been as successful as the previous one,” Williams told the Independent.
But the album’s performance, or lack thereof, didn’t phase the easy-going musician.
“That’s life really,” he sighed.
“We’re always trying different things and we thought it would be good if it was just as successful but, to us, it’s all about growing as musicians and growing as a band.
“I guess it was a bit frustrating, though.”
The seasoned performer said he was used to disappointments.
“Our second record, no one really got into it,” he explained.
“It was a lot different, a bit more spikier, a bit more confronting. People in the mainstream commercial radio world didn’t really connect with those songs.”
Despite lacklustre album sales, music critics have described Watch Me Disappear as a “solid release”.
The album features the catchy pop single Pennywhistle, which is slightly more upbeat than previous hit singles.
Augie March, comprising Williams with vocalist Glenn Richards, lead guitarist Adam Donovan, bassist Edmondo Ammendola, Kiernan Box on keyboards, formed in Shepparton in 1996.
Williams said the band’s rise to fame was slow.
“We really didn’t go into the mainstream until after the release of One Crowded Hour,” Williams explained.
“There was a different level of interest.”
The band will perform at Geelong’s National Hotel on July 2 as part of its national Watch Me Set My Strange Sun Bloody Choir.
Williams said the gig would showcase some of the band’s older music.
“The audience has expressed an interest to hear some old songs,” he said.
“But it’s going to take a bit more time to prepare for the tour.”