Grinspoon declare a battle of the pre-match bands against Birds Of Tokyo at the State of Origin

THE battle for State of Origin rock supremacy is on, and Grinspoon plan on winning over the fans at one of the toughest shows to play every year.

Grinspoon will play before State of Origin II at ANZ Stadium.

THE battle for State of Origin rock supremacy is on.

Just as NSW thrashed Queensland to claim the opening game of the 2017 series, so have Grinspoon declared they are going for the best pre-match entertainment title.

That gig can be a poisoned chalice with more pre-match acts sledged than celebrated, mostly at grand finals.

We’re looking at you, Meatloaf, Billy Idol and Richie Sambora.

Perth rockers Birds Of Tokyo performed at the series opener in Queensland and scored the thumbs up from most quarters, despite not being Maroon supporters.

With focus shifting to tonight’s game at ANZ Stadium, Grinspoon guitarist Pat Davern was trash talking his rock peers.

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Pat Davern and Phil Jamieson wearing their true colours. Picture: supplied.

“Hopefully we’ll be better than Birds Of Tokyo,” he said.

The Blues have three-quarters of the Grinners on their side, with drummer Kris “Krisso” Hopes supporting the Maroons in honour of his Rockhampton birthplace.

Frontman Phil Jamieson said they restrained themselves from gratuitous gloating after his beloved Blues won the opening match.

“It’s hard to give him s*** really. Like most Queenslanders, he’s smug about winning all these years. But I think we are going to win,” Jamieson said.

The band gave an insight into how tough playing at the footy can be, with the technical demands of producing a 20-minute gig before a big match dictating only vocals can be live.

And it is a supreme effort to get 80,000 people on your side when they are anxious for kick-off.

“Sport is the classic example of a soap opera in a lot of ways and the theatre and drama of it is great,” Jamieson said.

“It’s a pretty strange gig to play because you feel so disconnected from 80,000 people. They’re kind of watching you.

“It’s an honour to be asked, but we’re definitely the hype men aren’t we? The main thing is who’s playing.”

Grinspoon are seasoned pre-match performers, having played the 2004 NRL grand final. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

As for the NRL Grand Final entertainment, Jamieson casts his vote for a Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham match-up.

“I would love to see Barnesy and Farnsey, I love all that stuff,” he said.

“The Grand Final is great but State of Origin, as a passionate Blues supporter, is the biggest for me. And three quarters of the band are going for the team as well.”

Bernard Fanning will be the pre-match entertainment for the final Origin match back in Queensland in a few weeks.

Originally published as Grinspoon declare a battle of the pre-match bands against Birds Of Tokyo at the State of Origin