ARIA winning Aussie rock act Killing Heidi to re-form for this year’s Queenscliff Music Festival

AFTER years of turning down big-money offers, Ella Hooper and her bother Jesse finally agreed to put Killing Heidi back together.

Musician Ella Hooper is putting Killing Heidi back todather with her brother. Picture: Sarah Matray

VIOLET Town rock band Killing Heidi will reform in November.

Fronted by siblings Ella and Jesse Hooper, they topped the charts when still teenagers.

“It’s like going back to your high school reunion,” Ella, now 33, said.

Their single Mascara hit No. 1 in 1999, with Weir and Live Without It also going Top 10.

Their debut album Reflector also made No. 1 in 2000, selling over 300,000 copies.

Killing Heidi split in 2006, with the Hoopers forming country-tinged band The Verses before Hooper started a solo career.

“We have consistently had offers to get back together over the years but I’ve consistently said no, no, no,” Ella said

“I’ve always said that band is over. I’ve been pretty obstinate about it. I’ve turned down a lot of big offers in the past, and have really been begged to do it, and I’ve said no.

“But I think it’s about getting older and wiser and looking back at your life and feeling comfortable with all the stages you’ve been through. I got to the stage where I feel like ‘Why the hell not have a look back and celebrate something that was quite special?’. I’m really glad we’ve waited this long.”

Blast from the past: Killing Heidi at the 2001 ARIA Awards (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)

The comeback show marks 20 years since the Hoopers started their musical career.

Killing Heidi’s 20th anniversary show will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Queenscliff Music Festival.

Running from November 25 to 27, the event also features Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Peter Garrett, Paul Kelly, Doug Anthony Allstars, Kylie Auldist, Urthboy and another reformed Australian band, George, featuring Katie Noonan.

Killing Heidi’s album Reflector is also about to be available on digital platforms for the first time, including streaming sites.

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Hooper, who has done TV and radio work, has just released a solo EP called New Magic.

She has never performed any Killing Heidi songs during her solo concerts.

“It’s really going to be a case of getting these songs out of the vault,’’ Hooper said. “I thought I’d have to relearn all the songs but I had a listen the other day and all the lyrics were still in my head. They’re teenage thoughts from a teenage girl, and although I want to bring a maturity to them I can also see the charm in how I wrote them.”

Since the Verses, Jesse Hooper has worked behind the scenes mentoring youth and running the music program at Collarts college of the arts in South Melbourne.

While the line-up of the band is still being finalised, drummer Adam Pedretti will be involved again.

“We’re not sure if there’ll be more shows after this,” Hooper said. “We want to see if we love it and if it feels right. There’s no way to know that until we get out there and do it. But it feels exciting right now. As to the future, it’s a definite dot dot dot.”

More information, www.qmf.net.au

Originally published as ARIA winning Aussie rock act Killing Heidi to re-form for this year’s Queenscliff Music Festival