Superjesus vocalist Sarah McLeod says Adelaide “can’t afford to lose” Crown & Anchor Hotel

The lead vocalist of Adelaide’s Superjesus has mourned the potential loss of a live music institution, as the licensees break their silence about the high-rise development proposed for the site.

The lead singer of ARIA-winning rock band the Superjesus has said Adelaide’s live music scene “can’t afford to lose” the embattled Crown & Anchor Hotel or any other gig venues.

It comes after the pub issued a statement warning that venues like the ‘Cranker’ must be preserved so that “the next generation of Australian musos can get their start”.

On Friday, The Advertiser reported that a Singaporean developer lodged plans to build high-rise student accommodation on top of the hotel’s current Grenfell St location.

The heritage-listed, Victorian-era building cannot be knocked down, but the proposed “partial demolition and adaptive reuse” of the site has thrown the pub’s business operations into doubt.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Sarah McLeod, the voice behind hits including “Gravity” and “Down Again”, said the hotel gave them their first big break in 1994.

The Superjesus at the height of their fame in the late 1990s. Picture: Supplied

“They were the first people to call us back,” McLeod said.

“The demos we sent out were from Eight Step Rail, our first EP – we sent so many around town and the only place that came back to us was Crown and Anchor.”

That concert paved the way for Platinum-selling records and numerous festival appearances, but McLeod said Adelaide needed a home for other up and coming artists.

Sarah McLeod and Stuart Rudd of Superjesus playing a gig last year. Picture: Supplied

“Crown and Anchor is an institution and we can’t afford to lose any other live music venues in Adelaide,” McLeod said.

“Even though it’s fast becoming one of the most ‘happening’ cities in our country, and now that it’s doing really well, it would be a shame when it’s starting to crank – pardon the pun – to lose a pub that has done so much to support live music.”

On Friday night, proprietor Tom Skipper wrote a heartfelt message to the pub’s Instagram followers using the hashtag “#CRANKERFOREVER”.

The Crown & Anchor Hotel, Grenfell Street. Picture: David Cronin

Wee Hur Holdings’ existing Y Suites student accommodation at 124 Waymouth St. Picture: Hiro Ishino

“Since it was first licensed in 1853, generations of South Australians have been part of its history and we are determined to continue a tradition of cold beer, great friends and loud music,” Mr Skipper wrote.

“Our history is not just in our walls and our floors. We are privileged to have had some of Australia’s best bands, including Tex Perkins and the Superjesus grace our stage, and to have assisted in launching the careers of Bad//Dreems, the Grenadiers and so many more.

“We want to see Adelaide develop and grow, but not at the expense of live music and it is critical we preserve venues so the next generation of Australian musos can get their start.

“Nothing is set in stone at this stage and we will continue work to ensure the Crown and Anchor remains the uniquely Adelaide institution that we all love.”

If approved by the State Planning Commission, the accommodation would sit on top of the entire strip of venues on 188 and 196 Grenfell St, which include Roxie’s, Chateau Apollo and Midnight Spaghetti.

Developer Wee Hur Holdings Ltd has been contacted for comment.