Cosmic Psychos frontman on 40 years of beer, punk rock and a huge new tour
Australia's beer-obsessed punk legends Cosmic Psychos have announced their biggest regional tour yet, hitting 40 venues, including Townsville. Find out when.
Despite being swept up into the hype of Seattle’s grunge scene, Australia’s beer-obsessed punk legends Cosmic Psychos have steadfastly remained down to earth, refusing to evolve or give a stuff, as they power into their fourth decade as a band.
Hot on the heels of the release of their 12th album I Really Like Beer, the loveable larrikins are embarking on their biggest regional tour yet - 40 dates across the country - taking in RSLs, pubs, halls, and Townsville’s Dalrymple Hotel on January 2.
Fresh off his central Victorian sheep farm’s bulldozer and with a tinny in hand, the band’s frontman and bassist Ross Knight said it was a case of being “very, very lucky”, how they managed to earn respect and adulation for playing yob rock.
The band’s impact has led Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder to champion them, Nirvana to be influenced by them, and The Prodigy to sample them.
“I think it’s just the care-free attitude that we have. I’ve spent the last 40 years hanging s--t on myself, being a yob ... just being a little bit cheeky and naughty,” Knight said.
“Of course we’re yobbos ... but we’re very respectful yobbos. Everyone in the band is a really good dad and have really good families, and we have a lot of respect for the world.”
The band’s repetitive lyrics, fuzzed out guitar and wahwah bass sound were immortalised in the 2013 documentary Blokes You Can Trust which featured global indie tastemakers and music makers espousing the Cosmic Psycho’s legacy in Australian musical history.
Knight revealed that the process for creating their latest album hadn’t been smooth, with some personal challenges within the band, including the exit of their long term drummer, but they pushed through to defy the critics who suggested they couldn’t possibly write any more anthems about their favourite amber beverage.
“How many songs in the world of music are written about broken hearts? Well, there’s millions of them. I’ve probably only had my heart broken once or twice in my life, but I’ve had millions of hangovers, so I’ll just write about what’s relevant in my life,” he said.
“One day, we would like to bring out the 20 greatest ever beer songs compilation.”
Excited to be returning to play in Townsville, Knight revealed his long-standing appreciation for North Queensland, especially its easy-going locals and Magnetic Island, having been a regular visitor with step daughter attending James Cook University and his son posted to Lavarack Barracks.
The tour will feature BC Michaels behind the kit, who is also the drummer for Aussie rock band Dune Rats.
They will be ably supported by up-and-coming Victorian punk rock duo Good Sniff.
“Come along, have a few beers, get yourself a little bit happy and .. expect a fun night out.”
For tickets, visit: www.cosmicpsychos.com.au
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Originally published as Cosmic Psychos frontman on 40 years of beer, punk rock and a huge new tour
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