After a lengthy break between albums, Sydney pretty-boy rockers have returned with their fifth album, titled Future Primitive. On the eve of their current tour, Vines drummer and sometimes-DJ Hamish Rosser revealed there will be some 'madness' during the upcoming shows when speaking to Glam Adelaide.
'There'll be all the hits, a good stack of the new album, one or two surprises, we've even dusted off an old B-side that we've never played live before, so that's one for the diehards.'
The new album, described as 'rough guitar distortion and neo-psychedelic vocals' and a return to form for the group, was heavily influenced by producer Chris Colonna, best known for his work with Australian indie group The Bumblebeez. Hamish adds 'He changed up our sound a bit, he's got a really unique and original approach. He just throws any kind of sound you can imagine at a song and decides which one will work. It still sounds like us… but we've got a whole bunch of wacky sounds as well. He showed us a few new approaches on how to do things, an electronic beat here and there, which is something we've always wanted to do.'
Signed to Sony for the release of Future Primitive, Hamish admits there was no pressure from label bigwigs to change their sound. 'We made the album ourselves and shopped it around to different record labels to see who wanted to release it, which is different to getting a record deal and having an A&R guy looking over your shoulder saying "Write another hit song!". They just took the album and put it out as it was'. Hamish also hinted at a another album in the not too distant future, which he described as 'mellow, more acoustic-based recordings'.
Nearly a decade into their career, The Vines have reached achieved impressive feats that few Australian acts can boast. Appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone in 2002, they became the first Australian act to do so since Men at Work in 1983 (the magazine heralding them 'the saviours of rock'). Hamish concedes that times have changed since their not-so-humble beginnings, and that the digital age of music, iTunes and internet piracy is here to stay.
'You can't fight progress man!' he says, laughing. 'But I'm still a CD man, I'm probably the last guy out there who still buys CDs…'
The Future Primitive tour begins tonight in Byron Bay before heading to Adelaide on Friday, September 9 at The Governor Hindmarsh.
Visit www.moshtix.com.au for more information
Album Future Primitive is in stores now
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