The band comprises rock n roll combat troops who led the war in the 90’s.
Anzac Day – our national day of remembrance – is nigh. And as always, pubs are gearing up to honour the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who served and died in any wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
One particularly special event that will honour our soldiers’ contribution to our nation is The Externals upcoming gig at Murphys in Geelong, who will bring their unique brand of tough Aussie pub rock on Friday, April 23.
The key takeaways
- The Externals will perform a rare show at Murphys this Friday in honour of Anzac Day
- The band comprises members of the Special Air Service Regiment
- Entry is free
Influenced by great Australian bands The Celibate Rifles, Cosmic Psychos and the Oils, The Externals were formed in Perth back in 1991 by members of the Special Air Service Regiment: Harry, Matt, Scotty and Shane.
Renowned as the only SOF rock band in the world, The Externals found their niche in performing a very raw guitar-driven ‘Special-ops-rock’ style that combines tough Aussie pub rock with hints of surf-rock and grunge.
They cut their teeth at their now-demolished home venue Swanbourne Hotel where they’d regularly perform to sold-out manic crowds of beer and sweat-drenched surfers and soldiers in search of the ‘four on the floor’ style guitar-charged rock music the band passionately played.
Over the past three decades, in between numerous combat operations overseas, they have played and toured nationally at the likes of Big Day Out, Homebake, Byron Bay Festival, and Gershwin Room; as well as supported some of the biggest names in rock, including Powderfinger, The Prodigy, and Bad Religion.
Born inside the SAS Regiment, the band is a family at its heart. Core members of The Externals, Harry and Matt, have remained throughout the band’s journey, but in total The Externals have had 24 members who are all close friends and associates with vocalist Harry often reflecting: “It’s my favourite family, we all get along like a house on fire”.
While performances have been sporadic in recent years, the bands have been busy recording their seventh studio album Vertical Consumption, the follow up to their 2014 album, Bushranger Rock. With the impeding release of their first album in seven years, the band are launching the first single ‘The Hell Beyond’ lifted from the album at their Geelong gig this Friday.
With a 30-year strong career and a history steeped in mateship, rocking out and honouring our soldiers – and the band’s brothers – will be the perfect way to kick off your Anzac Day weekend.
It all kicks off at Murphys, Geelong on Friday, April 23 from 8pm with The Externals taking the stage at 10:30pm. Entry is free, but you can find more information here.
In the meantime, check out their tunes below.
