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 COLLINS CLASS lead vocalist and drummer JEFF PALMER tells CANDICE JACKSON how the trio enlisted together for the love of rock, as well as how they’re sailing into the launch of their debut EP.
Rocking Gold Coast trio Collins Class recently released their debut EP Venus Alley, with the Brisbane leg of the launch happening this week. With over 10 years of performing experience between them, the band members have supported such acts as Thirsty Merc, 1927, The Radiators, Choirboys and Nat Cole & The Kings. In terms of Collins Class though, singing drummer Jeff Palmer says they all met about four years ago, “I started working on the project and just auditioned for people and met Gazz (Gareth Mason) on bass and then Chad Brown for the guitar.” He explains what the three of them were doing before Collins Class. “I’d been getting around in other bands doing mostly covers stuff and the other two guys have had a bit of following in other bands back in New Zealand; where they’re from.”
Jeff says the idea for the band to go the way of rock was common sense. “It’s just in the blood, my whole life I have been in bands.” The trio fell into what they consider their, “most natural realm of music.” Keeping in mind that rock music is something with a lot of drive and energy behind it, Jeff explains that Collins Class’s noisy nature is a pun on the Australian navy submarine, which is noisy when at full power. “We’ve run along with the pun of Collins Class, doing the sailor and submarine naval theme for the EP. I guess that doesn’t run too much into our music, but definitely for the image.” The band are even allowing free entry to their launches for those who come along in maritime dress.
The launch of the EP, Venus Alley, has taken about a year to get to the release stage, Jeff noting, “It’s all been planning, planning, planning. It’s good to see it all start to come together. We are really looking forward to it.” Venus Alley aims at a multi-textured, melody-infused raw rock sound, with the band citing influences such as Queens Of The Stone Age, Jet, Foo Fighters and Them Crooked Vultures. “We are negotiating some spots down in Melbourne to get sort of a three state tour happening. Hopefully we’ll wind up that tour by the end of this year, to get busy [and] back to recording next year,” he says. Collins Class are already halfway through the writing process for the album, “It’s all moving along really well.”
Brisbane is the lucky last show for the EP launch of Venus Alley and Jeff exclaims “It’s going to be very spectacular!” The trio are planning for some food being served and a special showreel to give an insight into the band. If that wasn’t enough, he also adds: “We’re shooting our next video live on the night. We’ve got a camera team of about four who will be getting around on the evening.”
The VENUS ALLEY EP is out now through Pickle Head. COLLINS CLASS play Fitzy’s in Toowoomba on Thursday Jul 7 and Beetle Bar in Brisbane on Friday Jul 8. See www.collinsclass.com for more info.
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