Ten and a bit years later, The Living End have racked up a quintuple-platinum album, two platinum and five gold records, won three ARIA awards, countless other accolades and gathered fans all over the world. What’s more important, while some bands seem old and outdated only two or three years after they start, guitarist Chris Cheney, bass player Scott Owen and “new” drummer Andy Strachan are every bit as exciting a prospect as they were way back when – if you need any convincing, just check out a show the next time they come your way.
But, as mentioned earlier, it was more than a decade ago that a Melbourne rockabilly covers outfit called the Runaway Boys wrote a bunch of original tunes and changed their name to The Living End. Early releases such as the 'Hellbound', It's For Your Own Good' and the ever impressive 'Prisoner of Society/Second Solution' EPs began a mini-cult following. It quickly became a national hit, the double A-side becoming the highest selling Australian single of the 1990s, peaking for several weeks at No.4 and receiving the 1998 ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single. It lasted a record-breaking 47 weeks on the ARIA Top 50 singles charts. Coupled with their unbelievably frenzied and energetic live performances, The Living End were clearly making a name for themselves.
But, as mentioned earlier, it was more than a decade ago that a Melbourne rockabilly covers outfit called the Runaway Boys wrote a bunch of original tunes and changed their name to The Living End. Early releases such as the 'Hellbound', It's For Your Own Good' and the ever impressive 'Prisoner of Society/Second Solution' EPs began a mini-cult following. It quickly became a national hit, the double A-side becoming the highest selling Australian single of the 1990s, peaking for several weeks at No.4 and receiving the 1998 ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single. It lasted a record-breaking 47 weeks on the ARIA Top 50 singles charts. Coupled with their unbelievably frenzied and energetic live performances, The Living End were clearly making a name for themselves.
The release of their self-titled debut in 1999 was considered one of the best Australian debut releases of all time. Hits to come off that album included 'Prisoner of Society' and 'Second Solution', both of which sold thousands of copies. An exhaustive tour followed and by the start of the new century, the whole nation were screaming for The Living End. The Living End were awarded two more ARIA awards in 1999 for Best Group, and Best New Artist.
In 2001, the band hit a quiet period due to Chris Cheney's near-fatal car accident on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, rendering him unable to play for a significant period of time.
In 2003, The Living End released their third album 'Modern ARTillery' and was marked as a 'change in direction'. Drummer Trav Dempsey had left the band and new boy, Andy Strachan, was the man in charge at the back. The Modern ARTillery album was a return to musical simplicity in most tracks (the rock anthem "The Room" being an exception), yet contained a number of different styles throughout the album. Due to the quiet period, their return was initially received with much hype and to their fans delight, The Living End went back on tour again.
In 2003, The Living End released their third album 'Modern ARTillery' and was marked as a 'change in direction'. Drummer Trav Dempsey had left the band and new boy, Andy Strachan, was the man in charge at the back. The Modern ARTillery album was a return to musical simplicity in most tracks (the rock anthem "The Room" being an exception), yet contained a number of different styles throughout the album. Due to the quiet period, their return was initially received with much hype and to their fans delight, The Living End went back on tour again.
In 2006, the boys turned to an old cohort to help them in a new direction for album number four, State of Emergency. Deciding it really is better the devil you know, the band once again enlisted the talents of legendary producer Nick Launay, who worked on their platinum selling second album Roll On (not to mention a whole host of other influential titles, including some of the finest records of the last couple of decades).
Coming off the back a very successful 2004 (including huge tours of the US, first with Jet and the Vines and later with Blink 182 and No Doubt) the lads were in high spirits. Andy was well and truly settled in the role he had inherited from former drummer Travis Dempsy just prior to the making of the band’s last record, Modern Artillery, and Chris had, thankfully, avoided any near death experiences.
The record highlights something that crowds the world over already know – The Living End play hard, fast rock & roll. So while 'State of Emergency' dishes out some of the best punk rock energy of The Living End’s career – tracks like first single “What’s On Your Radio” – it also gives fans a better look at that other side they have always known is there. Songs like the Midnight Oil flavoured anthem “Wake Up”, the shimmering Phil Spector-like psychedelia of “Order Of The Day” or the jazzy edge of “Nowhere Town” all show The Living End flexing their musical muscles and minds. This album was quite successful and continued to prove that The Living End are one of the best aussie rock bands of all time.
The Living End are currently touring as 'The Longnecks'. These shows allow them to showcase new material, which hopefully some will show up on their up-n-coming 5th studio album sometime in the middle of 2008.
The Living End are without a doubt one of the best live acts to see. Get their back catalogue, buy a ticket to their gig and fall in love with Melbourne's own rocking band, The Living End.
www.thelivingend.com.au
Coming off the back a very successful 2004 (including huge tours of the US, first with Jet and the Vines and later with Blink 182 and No Doubt) the lads were in high spirits. Andy was well and truly settled in the role he had inherited from former drummer Travis Dempsy just prior to the making of the band’s last record, Modern Artillery, and Chris had, thankfully, avoided any near death experiences.
The record highlights something that crowds the world over already know – The Living End play hard, fast rock & roll. So while 'State of Emergency' dishes out some of the best punk rock energy of The Living End’s career – tracks like first single “What’s On Your Radio” – it also gives fans a better look at that other side they have always known is there. Songs like the Midnight Oil flavoured anthem “Wake Up”, the shimmering Phil Spector-like psychedelia of “Order Of The Day” or the jazzy edge of “Nowhere Town” all show The Living End flexing their musical muscles and minds. This album was quite successful and continued to prove that The Living End are one of the best aussie rock bands of all time.
The Living End are currently touring as 'The Longnecks'. These shows allow them to showcase new material, which hopefully some will show up on their up-n-coming 5th studio album sometime in the middle of 2008.
The Living End are without a doubt one of the best live acts to see. Get their back catalogue, buy a ticket to their gig and fall in love with Melbourne's own rocking band, The Living End.
www.thelivingend.com.au
The following video is Prisoner of Society (live)
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