You’d be hard pressed to find a group that can rival the influence of Grinspoon, who have held court in the music scene for three decades.
They’ve been back in full swing since reuniting in 2017, hitting the road for countless celebrations of their hit records.
2024 sees the legends drop new music, hit the road for 40+ dates, and get ready for a new era of music. Their new record whatever, whenever, is set to drop in August, a record now four years in the making.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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With news out there after keeping it secret for almost half a decade, we caught up with frontman Phil Jamieson and guitarist Pat Devern to chat about it all.
“It’s been a fairly emotional roller coaster,” Phil Jamieson notes. “We’re incredibly flattered and humbled by the response so far.”
After re-joining forces back in 2017, the Grinners have been in full swing on the live show front, hitting the road in celebration of hit albums Easy and New Detention.
Whatever, Whenever, marks the first new record from the group in 12 years and post reunion, with Jamieson and Devern admitting it took time to reacquaint themselves with the creative process.
“Jumping across to do new music was definitely a change,” Pat Devern notes. “It took us a while to get the process right. We weren’t sure how we were going to do it.
“We started the process pre COVID with a couple of demos just talking about doing new music. We didn’t really hit the pedal until last year in August last year when we went down to write and record with Oscar Dawson.”
Besides a significant career on stage, Holy Holy’s Oscar Dawson has been just as successful off stage, working behind the decks for artists such as Bakers Eddy, CLEWS, Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers, a list that now can include Aussie legends Grinspoon. The producer first coming into orbit after working on Jamieson’s solo record back in 2022.
“I worked with him on a release that I did, he was really fast, super creative. And he was available, had accommodation and a studio.
“And good with guitars,” Pat adds. “And we’re a guitar band, so that just made sense.”
“We’ve worked with a lot of producers over the years, it would have been intimidating for him, I would imagine. But he didn’t flinch. He just stuck to his guns with what he wanted and what he thought we should do, which is what you want a good producer to do.”
With the album in the mix for four years, it makes sense that sometimes final output doesn’t match what was first hoped, but the pair note, the record ended up exactly how they wanted, as Phil notes.
“The whole process behind it was everyone brings four songs. No matter what genre, length, speed or tempo, you just bring four songs.
“In previous records, there’s been a bit of jockeying and elbows out. Like ‘I want this song here’, that wasn’t it [for whatever, whenever].
“The album’s the heaviest stuff we’ve ever done, also maybe the prettiest as well. Grinners just throw lots of stuff at the wall and see what sticks.
“Actually you’ll see what sticks in August!,” the pair add with a laugh.
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The album is full of the Grinspoon sound we’ve all come to know and love over the years, inspirations coming from different areas for the pair.
“It’s hard to pinpoint what it could be for me, it could be a ripe avocado at Woolworths,” Phil adds with a laugh.
“We did make a conscious effort to go back to the beginning, and think about the energy, and what resonated with fans in that.” Pat notes.
A new record also means some concert dates are on the horizon, the group dropping a mammoth 45-date tour hitting almost all corners of the country.
“Instead of making people travel to us, we’re gonna go to them” Phil notes. “And I love it. these tours make you feel alive. We want people to come in and enjoy rock at a pub you know? It’s been too long. We’re trying to keep the ticket price really competitive too, it’s been too long since we’ve been to some of these places.
“We want to get in people’s faces and bring the party to them!”
whatever, whenever is available for preorder over on Grinspoon’s website here.
Grinspoon Victorian tour dates
- 170 Russell, Melbourne Tues 5 November
- Commercial Hotel South Morang Tues 12 November
- Village Green, Mulgave Wed 13 November
- Pier Bandroom Frankston Fri 15 November
- All Season Hotel, Bendigo Sat 16 November
- Barwon Heads Hotel, Sun 17 November
