Australian rock supergroup covers Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon
The acclaimed Australian Rock Collective is touring a performance of The Dark Side of the Moon, the epic album issued by British progressive rock act Pink Floyd in 1973.
The thought of attempting to perform a note-perfect rendition of one of the most popular and revered albums of all time would send a bolt of trepidation through most musicians.
For the unruffled supergroup known as the Australian Rock Collective (ARC), though, this sort of caper is just another day at the office.
Comprising drummer Mark “Kram” Maher (of Spiderbait), guitarist Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), bassist Mark Wilson (Jet) and guitarist Davey Lane (You Am I), the group has developed a reputation for faithfully and beautifully reprising classic albums in recent years.
This time, ARC has chosen to take on The Dark Side of the Moon, the epic 10-track work issued by British progressive rock act Pink Floyd in 1973.
“This will be our fourth production,” Maher told The Australian, following tours performing The Beatles’ albums Abbey Road (2019-2020) and Let It Be (2021), as well as Neil Young’s Harvest (2022). “Now, we’re doing probably our all-time favourite,” he said. “Just to be able to watch the guys play the guitar parts and get into (drummer) Nick Mason’s vibe has been incredible.
“If it’s half as good on stage as it’s been in rehearsal, I can’t wait; it’s going to be sick.”
On a 12-date national tour starting June 22 in Bendigo and ending July 9 in Perth, ARC will play the 43-minute album in full, then return to the stage for a second set packed with Floyd favourites.
Accompanied by several extra players, including keyboardist James Fleming and singer Talei Wolfgramm, the group will share vocals on the loping album opener Breathe (In The Air) – which establishes an ethereal atmosphere that runs through the album – before taking turns on lead vocals.
As with his main gig in the alt-rock band Spiderbait, Maher will sometimes pull double duty by drumming and singing on key tracks such as Time and Money, which were both written by bassist Roger Waters and sung by guitarist David Gilmour.
“To me, the really unsung genius of this band is Dave Gilmour’s voice,” he said. “There’s something I love about Dave’s voice, especially in the context of the juxtaposition between him and Roger as personalities, which is essentially the essence of what the band is.”
As for any pre-show nerves before taking on a beloved work of this magnitude, with its estimated global album sales of 45 million across 50 years?
“I haven’t felt pressure for years,” replied Maher with a laugh. “I’m too busy enjoying myself, man. If there is any pressure, it’s just to make sure that nothing breaks, really; that none of the technical stuff you require is going to suddenly blow a fuse.”
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