We’ve seen Grinspoon create hits and rock out at live shows for more than a decade. We’ve seen record after record go platinum and now we welcome this awesome foursome back to Canberra, as they launch around the country on their booming National Black Tattoo Tour and reveal some exciting news.
“We will be unveiling a brand new band member,” bassist, Joe Hansen said. “His name is Gabriel Atkinson and we tour with him now.” A guitar player, singer and cow bell shaker, this New Zealand musician is ‘the cool’ and freshening up Grinspoon’s live shows (like they need it).
The band is currently on the road with their national tour which will see them play to sell out crowds on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Rock Hampton, Bathurst and Canberra’s ANU Bar on Sunday the 16th of September at ANU Bar.
Alongside their new found New Zealand friend, tunes from their new album ‘Alibis and other lies’ couldn’t sound any better. Debuting at #1 on the iTunes Album Charts, the album has already achieved gold status in Australia.
“Expect something up tempo. There’s a lot of melody and harmony coming out, but at the same time, it’s not a pop record.”
Grinspoon’s success has been less of a whirlwind and more of a journey, with Phil, Chris, Pat and Joe forming as a band 12 jam-packed years ago.
“Me and Pat had been running this really dodgy jam night at a pub in Lismore, and Chris and Phil turned up. They mentioned they were looking for a bassist and a guitar player, and it all went from there.”
Grinspoon came to fame when they were ‘Unearthed’ by Triple J, with their track Sickfest. This won them the competition for the Lismore area. “Our first record was really raw and spontaneous. Very immediate. You throw everything you have into a debut.”
Over the years, Grinspoon have retained the rawness they desire, while learning to harness it more effectively. “We have the maturity to be more subtle in our music now.”
The 12 year journey has seen the boys grow and change. It’s seen marriage, nappies, chart hits and the bands lead singer Phil, booking into rehab. His recent confession to a Crystal Methamphetamine addiction subsequently thrust the band into the attention of the media.
“Over the past decade, Phil has changed the most out of all of us. He was only a kid when I met him.” Joe jokingly describes his other band mate’s, calling Pat the ‘furious’ one, Kris, ‘solid’ and himself ‘stupid.’
“When I first met these guys, we were all so young. Phil was 17 and he didn’t know how to use a washing machine or a toaster. 12 years later, he can use a toaster, but still doesn’t know how to use a washing machine.” Laughs Joe.
Although the boys have had many years to get used to fame, it was meeting Midnight Oil that had Joe knocking his knees like a shy fan. “Meeting them was massive. I felt a bit tongue tied and went woooh, pretty nervous!”
Grinspoon has won over Canberra’s crowds dozens of times and their coming visit will be no exception. “Canberra fans are unreal. I hand it to them for braving the cold!”
With many big-time musicians bypassing the nation’s capital on tour, it’s nice to know that Grinspoon have faith in our fine city. “Canberra is a funny place. It’s quite neat on the surface, but underneath, there’s certainly a lot going on. Loads of great bands have come out of there.”
If you were keen to get noticed by this rockin’ foursome, you’ll have to stand out from the crowds of crazed teens and dedicated musos. “People should use their imagination, dress up like the Michelin man and we might bring you up on stage!”
