Rock legend Adam Thompson reveals his battle with mental health

On stage he’s full of gusto, but behind the scenes Chocolate Starfish frontman Adam Thompson has his own struggles.

Adam Thompson in action

He’s been described as one of the most flamboyant, enigmatic and energetic frontmen ever to grace an Australian stage but Adam Thompson admits he too has his days where he’d rather curl up in a ball.

The Chocolate Starfish lead singer who prowls the stage in exorbitant costumes and colourful wings, admits his demons can be debilitating.

“My anxiety was probably at its worst during our reintroduction to the industry back in 2015,” Thompson told news.com.au of the band probably best known for their cover version of Carly Simo’s hit “You’re So Vain” before they breathed new life to Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell album.

“We were on the Red Hot Summer tour and I hadn’t slept for four days because I was so overwhelmed with thoughts of “am I enough?” Thompson said.

“I was delirious and for probably the first time in my life, I had to cancel a performance.”

Thompson believes its important to be authentic about his struggles, at a time when mental health and suicide often make news headlines.

“Thoughts of suicide? Yes and no,” he admits.

Flamboyant Chocolate Starfish frontman Adam Thompson says his anxiety got so bad he wished he could run his head into a brick wall. Picture: Scott Brownlie

“I guess suicide from what I understand is a desire to make the pain stop. I do remember after the bout of no sleep, wishing I could run my head into a brick wall to knock myself out to get rest and I suppose the reality of that is what would make some people physically go through with that in one way or another.”

Thompson’s demons stem from losing his mum at 14 and his sister at 17.

“Grief and fear were almost a constant companion between 12 and 20,” he said.

“The Bat out of Hell songs touched a nerve and chord and made me know that it was okay to passionately and theatrically talk about love and death.

“Also for me I could feel Meatloaf’s character and it resonated as he delivered the soaring vocals. “When I then started to write songs at 21, I realised I too could use this medium to start to express my own take on these delicate topics.”

Thompson finally faced his demons head on when he turned 40.

“I was married, safe and so the concerns of the past, dealing with mortality, I was ready to face and it was then I suppose that the reality of what I ignored for so long came back like a tsunami of emotions, begging me to listen to my higher self.”

Adam Thompson love horsing around with kids he meets in rural communities. Picture: Supplied

Adam Thompson visits outback communities, writing and recording songs with children about whatever they need to “unpack”. Picture: Supplied

Thompson now has an arsenal of tools to keep his anxiety in a “more manageable state”. Yoga, “setting boundaries, realising saying no is okay”, therapy and music are key.

And he finds solace in sharing his passion for music with kids in the bush.

“A lot of kids these days have a lack of mentors in their lives, so I think it’s really important we all find ways to look after these kids and hear their voices,” he said.

“I’m lucky I can do that through music,” he says.

Thompson visits communities with his program Outback Tracks, writing and recording songs with children about whatever they need to “unpack” as a community.

“Rural communities both Indigenous and non-Indigenous have unique circumstances. I believe in small communities you are really defined by your peer groups and unfortunately, if you fall out of favour with them, there are limited other groups to turn to as alternatives,” Thompson said.

“Bullying in social media is also rampant in all communities, as we know, as it’s in the hands of young people who haven’t got fully formed frontal loses and are unable to rationally realise the impact of their actions.

Adam Thompson is bringing a six-piece string section to the Bat Out Of Hell classics he will bring to life with Chocolate Starfish in their upcoming tour. Picture: Tania Smith

“There are several young people who have worked with us after the initial workshops and it has given them a balanced view of life, opened their eyes to job opportunities and given them mentors to call.”

Thompson, who has recently penned songs with themes about “being reflective and real with ourselves”, is about to hit the road with Chocolate Starfish, once again expressing himself through the Bat Out of Hell Classics – this time with strings attached.

He said the six-piece string section adds another layer to the classics that mean the world to him.

“While there are moments of reflection and narrative around the theme of loss and grief, the show is also a celebration of living life to the fullest,” he said.

“And there’s no band like Chocolate Starfish to deliver that diverse range of emotion that is ‘Bat Out of Hell’.”

Originally published as Rock legend Adam Thompson reveals his battle with mental health