The Feelers are still going strong
The Feelers band member Hamish Gee admits the name of their upcoming tour is a little lame, but the set list isn’t.
The Kiwi band, founded by Gee and school friend James Reid, are heading on a 15-date nationwide tour this summer with their final stop at Oakura’s Butlers Reef on January 5.
‘‘Our booking agent has called the tour The Feelers All The Hits Summer Tour, which I thought was a bit lame,’’ Gee said. ‘‘But in an actual fact, it’s fairly accurate.’’
Since the release of their first album Supersystem in 1998 The Feelers have been a household name in New Zealand. Their 105-minute set is filled with their greatest hits including Venus, Stand Up and their Right Here, Right Now cover that was used as the 2011 Rugby World Cup theme song.
Gee said the band had played in
Taranaki almost every year since 1994 and he wished he could take credit for Butlers Reef becoming a such recognised live band venue.
‘‘Because so many bands play there now it’s a trend I’d like to take responsibility for,’’ he laughed.
Oakura was the last stop of the tour and Gee said it would be bittersweet when the tour ended.
‘‘In our early-mid 40s you would think you wouldn’t move around or have as much energy for it as we did when we were 24. But it’s quite the opposite. More so because we’re so privileged to still be doing this,’’ he said.
‘‘There are 18-year-olds who come along that have listened to mum and dad’s album from the 90s and 2000s but then the mums and dads come along too. So I’m looking at the front row with the 18-year-olds moshing with 50-year-olds.’’
Gee and Reid will be joined by guitarist Andy Lynch of Zed and bass players Clint Harris of Opshop and Dave Gent of The Exponents. Former band member Matt Thomas, who left the band, hails from New Plymouth.
The Feelers will be supported by Kiwi band Stellar, who are celebrating their 20 year anniversary and began touring alongside the band back in 1999.