‘Living’ for the next gig
MUSIC Indie greats promise to set Mt Duneed alight
JUST like most superstar bands, ARIA award-winning group The Living End began performing to crowds in the dozens.
But most people are not aware that the group’s origins can be traced back to Geelong and the days of the old Torpedo bar in Little Malop St.
The Living End’s ties to the city — and the region — are incredibly strong, with drummer Andy Strachan formerly calling Barwon Heads home.
In March the band will join an ensemble of renowned indie rock bands at A Day on the Green at Mt Duneed Estate.
The Living End lead guitarist and singer Chris Cheney says he and his fellow band members can’t wait to come back in a headline position.
“We’ve done a few of these A Day on the Greens before but we’ve never headlined as such,” he said.
“A hometown gig is one of the most nerve-racking gigs, because you want to bring your A-game.
“We’ve been playing in Geelong since early in our careers, at the Torpedo bar.”
Cheney said The Living End struggled early on as it clamoured for popularity.
“For a while, we couldn’t get a gig and play our music — nobody was interested,” he said. “We’d hop back into our van and head to Melbourne with 30 bucks.”
The band’s first big break came when it toured Australia alongside American punk rock band Green Day.
“A lot of people became aware of the band during that tour,” Cheney said.
When asked if large-scale venues like Mt Duneed Estate put more pressure on the band’s performers, Cheney said it was quite the opposite.
“I don’t feel any more pressure,” he said.
“I feel more pressure playing at a small, intimate venue where you can see the lights of their (fans’) eyes.”
As part of the line-up at Mt Duneed, legendary acts Veruca Salt, The Lemonheads, Tumbleweed and The Fauves will warm the stage.
Between them, the bands have accumulated eight ARIA awards, received more than 30 ARIA award nominations, had 12 top 10 albums and 19 top 40 hit singles.
“We’re one of those bands that can appeal to both types of audiences,” Cheney said.
“There’s going to be a kickarse band out in the beautiful Australian open air.
“People who haven’t been to A Day on the Green before should come along because the atmosphere is like no other.
“After spending a huge chunk of this past year touring internationally, we can’t wait to play shows in our own beautiful Australian backyard.” The Living End, Spiderbait, Veruca Salt, The Lemonheads, Tumbleweed and The Fauves will converge on the Mt Duneed Estate on March 11 for A Day on the Green.