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 Guitarist RICK BREWSTER of hard rock legends THE ANGELS takes a moment to talk about touring and group reformation with DAN RIDLEY.
For over thirty years The Angels (in one form or another) have been faithful keepers of a rich rock & roll tradition. From the hazy days of the 1970s the group has enjoyed a career that saw their music transcend the labelling of an era to become staple rock anthems for every beer-swilling generation since. Now on the first leg of their reunion tour, containing the reformation of the original 1981 line-up, the band is once again thrilling audiences with what critics are heralding as a triumphant comeback. Having sold out Sydney venues and rest of the dates quickly following suit, guitarist Rick Brewster is the first to admit that the group is more than ecstatic about the reaction.
“It was a bit of an unknown before we did this,” he remarks with a chuckle “All three Sydney venues have sold out, and now the Melbourne dates have so we are very happy. Certainly makes it all worthwhile. We knew there had to be a lot of people who would want to come and see the original band. There is something about full houses that makes for a very good night I suppose”
The timeless nature of the group’s sound is perhaps the biggest contributor to this. The Angels’ desire not to stamp date their work has proved a wise career move, with fans from all age groups making up the audience. As he explains, older fans have initiated their children in the ways of rock & roll by bring them to watch the spectacle.
“It’s a very mixed bag,” he says “I think there are people who have literally not seen the group since Buzz (drummer Graham Bidstrup) left the band in 1981 who have been hanging out to see the original line-up. But this time they are bringing their sons and daughters.”
It was a long journey to get to this point. With 2000 heralding the departure of vocalist Bernard “Doc” Neeson due to injuries sustained in a car crash, and the ensuing years filled with legal disputes over the naming rights, it could have been considered a fair call to write any notion of reconciliation between the original line-up as fantasy. Only through a huge demand and subsiding of tempers did the band open communication once more, and in January 08 Doc Neeson publicly announced the group’s desire to reform. These squabbles now far behind them, Rick is quick to express the bands eagerness at being able to move forward with the original ensemble once more.
“It’s really good working with the Doc again,” he exclaims. “We all had a lot of reservations obviously with all the shit that went on. We made a pretty firm decision to leave the baggage at the door, to get on with it and look to the future. We are already talking about the next tour so it’s a good sign.”
With the glory of hindsight Rick is the first to admit the band’s success has been a mixture of both hard work and good luck. Reflecting back upon his career thus far he concedes that it all seems a little blurred, but nonetheless one hell of a ride.
“It’s been a merry go round, a rollercoaster – all of those things. It’s very hard to sum up. A lot of it is just hazy memories. One gig just blurs into the next when I think about. (laughs)”
THE ANGELS play North Leagues & Services Club on Saturday July 26. Check out www.theangels.com.au for more information.
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