FRONTMAN Dave Faulkner is promising the Hoodoo Gurus will pull out “all its top cards” when the band performs at The Grape Escape, at Hope Estate, this month.
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“We’re not going to deal from the bottom of the deck,” he admitted.
And, with classics such as Bittersweet, What’s My Scene, Like Wow – Wipeout!, My Girl, I Want You Back, 1000 Miles Away, Come Anytime and Miss Freelove ’69 under the belt, it’s hardly surprising.
“All the hits will be there,” Faulkner said.
“We still love playing them.
“Firstly, they are good songs to start with and, secondly, they’re fun to play.
“I never get sick of them.
“Plus, we always try to make every song great when we’re on stage.”
One of Australia’s best-loved rock outfits, the Hoodoo Gurus will join You Am I, Ratcat, Steve Kilbey (The Church), GANGgajang and The Allniters at the Hunter Valley venue on Saturday, April 29.
Due to the success of the first Hope Rocks Concert, The Grape Escape now forms part of the Hope Rocks Concert Series.
“We’re really excited we are gonna’ be playing in the Hunter soon,” Faulkner said.
“We’ve done a few winery shows.
“They always provide a good atmosphere, as well as a positive atmosphere.
“You can really feel the energy when you’re up on stage.
“I love music and I love wine, so what could be better than to put them both together?
“Hoodoo Gurus, You Am I and Ratcat at Hope Estate – as they say in the trade, that’s a top drop.”
For more than three decades, the Hoodoo Gurus have consistently been one of the most inventive, lyrically smart and goddamn exciting rock ‘n’ roll bands Australia has ever produced.
And, they’ve done it with style, panache and a wicked sense of humour.
Consistent chart-toppers, ARIA Hall of Famers, co-curators of the Dig It Up! Invitational and many other accolades, they’ve influenced an entire generation of bands including the likes of You Am I, The Living End, Dallas Crane, Grinspoon and many others.
Faulkner said it was “great to be touring” with a group of illustrious artists.
“We’re definitely in good company,” he explained.
“We used to see guys like Steve [Kilbey] and Mark [Callaghan] a lot more at awards shows than on the road.
“I guess there is still a bit of rivalry on the stage – everyone wants to be the best,” he added with a laugh.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster at www.tickmaster.com.au
YOU AM I
YOU Am I are without doubt one of Australia’s all-time essential rock n’ roll bands. Two and a half decades on from their first album release, You Am I have not only had one of the longest and most successful recording careers in Australia, but are also without doubt one of our most loved live bands. Featuring guitarist and vocalist Tim Rogers along with band mates Russell Hopkinson on drums, Andy Kent on Bass, and (since 1999) Davey Lane on guitar, You Am I have released ten studio albums to date. The band has won a total of 10 ARIA Awards including Album of the year, Best Group and Best Independent Release.
RATCAT
RATCAT set the indie music scene alight, causing a stir among the major labels in 1990 with their Tingles EP and became known for their pop/punk guitar rock. They hit the big time by grabbing the coveted No. 1 spot on the ARIA chart for their smash single That Ain’t Bad. A year later, they went on to release their landmark album, Blind Love, which saw them at the top of the mainstream charts again with both the album and single, Don’t Go Now, peaking at No. 1. In 1998, Ratcat performed with new bassist, Nic Dalton (The Lemonheads among others), at the Homebake Festival.
STEVE KILBEY
IT’S a unique band that finds itself cherished as a bona fide legend in the ARIA Hall of Fame while remaining a virtual enigma to the world that knows its name but The Church, led by the enigmatic Steve Kilbey, is just that. Since arriving in Australia half a century ago, Kilbey has forged a unique and frighteningly individual stream of musical thoughts including the church’s accidental signature tune, Under The Milky Way, being sung along with him by countless Australians. A songwriter of many musical tongues, Kilbey - band singer, songwriter and bassist, painter, writer, poet, actor, sage, dispenser of arcane wisdom, and much loved national treasure - has created an all-embracing artistic universe of unearthly beauty.
GANGGAJANG
GANGgajang was formed in 1984 when Mark Callaghan, previously of The Riptides, and Buzz Bidstrup and Chris Bailey, formerly of The Angels, were commissioned to write songs for the ABC TV program Sweet & Sour. The songs became a debut album, the self-titled GANGgajang, with the hit singles Gimme Some Lovin, House of Cards, Giver of Life and the classic Sounds of Then (This is Australia). With the addition of Geoffrey Stapleton on keyboards, guitar and artwork, and Robert James on lead guitar, GANGgajang became a live entity.
THE ALLNITERS
SYDNEY act The Allniters are considered the pioneers of Australian ska after they introduced the unique new style of music to the country in the '80s. The Allnighters will always be remembered for their big sound, cracking tunes and eccentric exuberance. Mischievous and a little bit cheeky, they’re the most successful ska act in Australian history. Their legacy still lives on to this day and in 2013, The Allniters’ cover of Bobby Bloom’s Montego Bay was voted as one of the top 100 songs in Australia.