After nearly 30 years of life together as a band, Grinspoon have announced news of the impending release of album number 8, ‘Whatever, Whatever‘ this coming August, coupled with the release of the first song from the album, Unknown Pretenders.
Unknown Pretenders sees the band turning back the years with an unpretentious, riff-laden, out-and-out-rocker reminiscent of their finest work from across their hit-laden catalogue, which will ensure long-time fans feel they are heading back into somewhat familiar, and well-loved territory whilst new fans can look forward to what is to come with the rest of the album once it is released.
Of the new single, lead singer, Phil Jamieson said that “Unknown Pretenders was written in the dawning of the pandemic in a small studio in Adelaide February 2020, with a number of other tunes as well. It’s a magical riffy song about the end of the world and who will actually survive”.
To celebrate the release, the band have announced details of a gruelling 45-date national tour which will take in rural centres around the country as well as the usual major city stops. The tour, to be known as the Whatever, Whenever, Wherever Tour will commence in September and will take in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Many of the dates are all-age shows, giving a new generation of fans the opportunity to see one of Australia’s best-loved purveyors of hard, driving punk rock. The mega run of dates will also see Melbourne punk-rockers, Press Club, jump in as main support for all shows.
Excited to hit the road, Phil said, “This thing ain’t for the faint hearted, we’re really trying to get to as many places as possible, it kind of harks back to the olden days of touring; 4 guys in a van with some guitars. With the release of new music we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to see Grinners, and we’re going back to some venues we haven’t played in 20 years!”
“To say we’re excited is a massive understatement! Over the last 6 years we have played arenas and stadiums and theatres and what not, and it’s all been tremendous and we have loved every minute of it, but there is nothing like the 3 hour drive after a show, the 9am checkout from the hotel, and the first stop to get a chicko roll and strawberry milk – black coffee for me, I am now an adult. These gigs will be madness – sweaty Tuesdays, taking the day off work on a Wednesday, remembering the reason you go to pubs. Our venues are suffering out there in the regions so we are bringing the show to them. We can’t wait to see you all!”
Fan presales will begin live from 10:00am (local time) Thursday 23 May, with general public tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Monday 27 May. Tickets will be available from grinspoon.com.au/. Fans can check out the tour dates here.
