For Ballarat fans of The Living End, it’s been a while between drinks.
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The veteran rockabilly outfit dropped in for an acoustic in-store performance when new album Wunderbar was released this year, but Ballarat hasn’t seen the trio in full flight for some years.
They’ll be back in town on January 27, supporting Jimmy Barnes and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the Red Hot Summer Tour, which will take over the North Gardens.
Drummer Andy Strachan said he remembered playing at Karova in 2008, playing under a false name.
“It was the worst kept secret in town was that The Longnecks were The Living End in disguise,” he said.
“I do remember that gig, it was hot and sweaty, it was a really fun tour.”
Since then, the band’s released a number of albums, and spent time overseas.
Wunderbar was recorded in Germany, and sees the band return to its classic sound.
Part of the fun was taking the album to the streets, busking in Berlin’s subway.
The band’s just finished a run of Australian dates, and next up is the Red Hot Summer Tour, but this isn’t the first time they’ve played with Jimmy Barnes - a previous tour in 2014 helped launch a re-recorded single, ‘Lay Down Your Arms’.
Barnes also featured in a music video for the band’s single ‘Don’t Lose It’ this year, with Daryl Braithwaite and Eddie McGuire.
Strachan said touring with him lifted the whole band.
“When he’s side of stage you want to play better,” he said.
“Watching him play, he still goes for it, it’s not watered down in anyway - I don’t think he knows how to play it down, doing show after show singing the way he does.”
On the last tour, at a show near Geelong, some of Strachan’s friends came by to say hello, and they asked about what it was like playing with a legend like Jimmy Barnes.
“I was saying to them, you can’t understand how this guy warms up, 10 minutes before he comes on, it’s like an F1 car - he just screams, he just yells at the wall,” he explained.
“You’d have a few beers and say, you have to hear Jimmy warm up.
“He’s such an amazing character, and we’re pretty fortunate to call him a friend.”
Also on the lineup is Australian legend Richard Clapton, with Diesel and rockers Chocolate Starfish.
Strachan said the tour’s more like a big party
“You’re bringing the monstrosity of a festival (to a town) - I live in a regional part of a victoria, and it’s a big deal,” he said.
“It’s hard for people in those areas to get to those shows, so to bring it to their towns, it’s a bit of a celebration.
“It’s like their party and we’re invited.”
Plenty of live music is on its way to Ballarat soon - at the same time as the Red Hot Summer Tour, Rainbow Serpent will erupt in Lexton.
In December, the Meredith Music Festival will bring international heavyweights like The Breeders and local legends The Presets in December, while sister festival Golden Plains will feature The Jesus and Mary Chain and electronic artist Four Tet in March.
The Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival, in February, will bring ‘50s colour and music to Lydiard Street.
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