By Lee Valentine Smith – Thirty-eight years ago this month, the Sydney-based band Hoodoo Gurus released their debut LP Stoneage Romeos. The first track (on the Australian version) was their self-referential “(Let’s All) Turn On,” a swinging litany of their collective inspirations.
Fast forward to today – the global pandemic has changed the band’s touring schedule a number of times but it certainly hasn’t diminished their rockin’ intensity or overall quality of songwriting. Despite the setbacks, cancellations and postponements of the Covid-19 era, the members of the beloved Australian band currently await the release of their 10th studio album.
Chariot of the Gods (Big Time Phonograph Record Co. / EMI) is slated to drop this Friday with a special worldwide e-stream preview happening this Thursday night. The one-off live set will stream internationally at 8 p.m. AEDT / WST / PST / EST/ GMT, featuring members of the band waiting online to chat with lucky viewers.
Injected with the band’s raucous exuberance, the album’s current single “Carry On,” celebrates the steadfast determination of the human spirit. Likewise, Chariot highlights “World of Pain,” “Get Out of Dodge” and “Answered Prayers” deftly meld classic ingredients of pure pop, aggressive punk and delightfully off-kilter kitsch.
Originally conceived at a NYE party in 1980, the oft-lauded band currently includes Dave Faulkner (vocals, guitar), Brad Shepherd (vocals, guitar), Rick Grossman (vocals, bass) and Nik Reith (drums). Gurus founder Dave Faulkner recently called from his home studio to discuss the album and the upcoming streaming event.
The Hoodoo Gurus were off the road for a couple of years. Was the lockdown your longest downtime from the road?
Oh, absolutely. It was quite disorienting because music is to me like one of the main ingredients of life – not quite as essential as air, water and sleep, but it’s right up there. So part of me was in a sense locked away in the basement and couldn’t come out. It was just bizarre. The only upside for us is we made an album, but everything else was really a negative.
Yet except for the topical Trump references [on “Hung Out To Dry,” available exclusively on the double-vinyl edition] it’s not an ‘of the moment’ kind of record.
We’ve always felt a little bit out step with the world at large. That’s kind of been our saving grace as well because we aren’t particularly influenced by what other people are doing or not doing – and what they may think about us or not think about us. To me, this record doesn’t sound like a band getting back together for old time’s sake. It’s literally us making the music that matters right now. That’s because we are still just as engaged and turned on by music as we ever were. It really means everything to us. We want to make music that excites us as much as the music we listen to from the people who inspired us.
Every one of the new tracks seem perfect for the live setting, especially the main singles. Even the little intro bit (“Early Opener”) could work onstage.
Yeah. That’s my slight nod to Sgt. Pepper’s in a sense, with the band warming up. I made it like a noisy pub and I’m in the corner playing one of our old hits like a desperado, an old has-been lounge singer.
For the streaming event coming this week, you’ll be playing the whole album straight through, right?
That’s right. It’s a day before the release so people can get a little sneak preview before they hear the actual record. I think it’s unique to hear the songs without production first. This way you’ll be able to judge them purely on their own merits. There’s no technology like autotune or studio tricks to kinda fake it up. It’s going to be a one-time only event. We’re not going to put it on YouTube afterwards or anywhere else and you can watch it anywhere in the world at eight o’clock. It’s two screenings in the US at eight o’clock and it’s going to be on in London at eight o’clock their time as well, so it all basically happens within 24 hours, for a total of six screenings. You can choose any one of those to watch when you buy a ticket, which is like eight bucks US, 10 bucks Australian.
The price is right for sure. That’s much cheaper than going to a live performance.
Yeah, it is. And it’s the one chance to have a look and to hear the songs this way. Obviously if you see us live, we’ll play them that way as well, but you can see this right from the comfort of your own home.
The Hoodoo Gurus preview Chariot Of The Gods on Thursday, March 10 at 8 p.m. Visit www.emusiclive.com/Hoodoo_Gurus for tickets.
