Australia has spawned more than its fair share of great Rock bands in its history, and many from humble beginnings , with nothing more than the desire to make great music as their motivation. Some have come and gone, and some have stayed the course and continue to entertain us in what can only be described as difficult times for anyone wishing to make a career from music, One of the acts that has endured for several decades is Melbourne outfit, ‘The Living End’.

Formed in 1996 by mates since childhood, Chris Cheney and Scott Owen, The Living End has enjoyed success both locally and overseas for more than 3 decades. Their homogenisation of Punk, Rockabilly and straight -up Rock n Roll made a lasting impression on punters across Europe , Asia, America and right here in Australia.

I recently had a chat with co-founder and bassist, Scott Owen ahead of their upcoming (Sold out) gigs at The Tanks Arts Centre. The beginnings of the band were not much different to any other high school band.

“Chris and I went to different primary schools, but our sisters were friends, and we kind of got to know each other through family barbecues. We ended up at the same high school, Chris was learning guitar, and I was learning piano, He was into jazz and rockabilly, and a bit of country, I learned some Jerry Lee Lewis stuff so we could play together when our parents got together, They would get drunk and say ‘C’mon, kids, entertain us’. I think that’s where the Rockabilly stuff came from, was Chris’ love of 50s Rock n Roll. Our music has gone on a bit of a journey since then though.”

The transition for Scott from piano to double bass was one of practicality more than any other factor. It suited the sound they were chasing much better than piano.

“I was playing piano, but the idea was to start a band , and one of our favourite bands was ‘The Stray Cats’, so it seemed obvious to me that I needed to get my hands on a double bass so we could do what the Stray Cars were doing. Chris and I both worked at my old man’s supermarket packing shelves and whatnot, so I had some money saved up so I could buy a car when I turned 18, but I went and blew it all in a double bass.”

The primary songwriting duties fall to Chris.

“Chris is always writing, He always has a bunch of songs on the go in various stages of completion so when it comes time for us to go into the studio, he always has thousands of ideas ready, they might be complete songs , or just a riff, or a chorus. He brings it to us, and we knock it around for a bit, put our 2 cents worth in and bang it into shape. Sometimes that takes years, sometimes a few minutes or a few days until their final incarnation.”

One of the songs that has endured , and is arguably their signature track , is “Prisoner of Society”, a song that is probably as relevant today as it was some 30 years past.

“I guess it’s timeless. Kids are always going to feel like they aren’t heard or seen , and don’t want to listen to their parents or authority , and that’s just human nature. We struck on a subject that is always going to be relevant.”

“Where we grew up is always going to play a role in how we shape our stories. We grew up in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, out near Glen Waverley. It was pretty safe out there. There wasn’t anything unusual going on. It was all pretty straight forward. I think that gives you a chance to sit back and look at what else is going on in the world.
I think that’s where Chris’ head is at when he’s writing songs. Its a social commentary on his observations about the world.”

“Musically we had a lot of pop music coming at us from our sister’s bedrooms, and we listened to classic Aussie rock like AC/DC, Midnight Oil, all the good stuff, and a lot of top 40 stuff, and our parents loved 50’s rock so we had a diverse pallet of music to draw from. We have expanded our taste as much as we can.”

It can be a fine line to walk between rebelliousness and politics, and the band never seems to stray too far into the latter. I asked if this was intentional.

“I think that has more to do with our personalities. Rather than soapbox views , our views are a more observations than criticisms.
We always try to look for a silver lining. Its like “Yeah, things are fucked, but we need to look for something positive. We still have to live our life.
“We can still wake up every day and feel like we aren’t really under threat in this lucky country of ours.”

Given their success overseas and a relentless touring schedule for many years, I was curious if there are any appreciable differences between local audiences, European audiences and those in the U.S.A.

“I think American audiences like things that are a little more obvious. They like the Razzle Dazzle, whereas in Europe there is a wider scope for different kinds of music. For example, in Europe during the 70’s and 80’s there was a huge Neo Rickabilly and Psycho-billy scene, and I think those sub cultures and alternative scenes exist really well in Europe.”

A group with such a high energy stage presence and extreme delivery faces challenges maintaining that level of enthusiasm after a 30 year career.

“I don’t know how we do it. We just do it . I try not to analyze it too much. We still have the attitude that every time we walk out on stage, we want to put on the best show we possibly can, and that involves high energy and putting on a show, We can always get better. If we keep ourselves in good shape, then we can just keep delivering our best.
Age is going to take its toll eventually. I have had some strain on my hands. The double bass is not an easy instrument to play, but I just do my best to look after myself.”

The fact that the majority of shows have sold out, and a move to an outdoor setting at one show to accommodate the larger than expected crowds, it is obvious that the band hasn’t lost any of their appeal since the 90’s and early 2000’s.

“It’s humbling, really. Things are expensive now, and people don’t have as much money to spend on entertainment, so it’s pretty amazing the response we have had. The kids that are coming of age now at around 20 ish grew up with their parents playing our stuff, and it feels great to see the multi-generational audience. Rock n Roll will never die. It’s too real. The feeling, the energy, and it can only be produced by real humans, with real instruments.”

“The new album is more of a return to our origins. We just felt that with the new record, what we do best is just foot to the floor, lots of energy and not overthinking, so that’s what we did. I think it sounds like our new record more than any others we have done.”

Both shows at The Tanks Arts Centre are currently sold out on 12th and 13th August, and be sure to check out the new album, “I only trust Rock n Roll”…. Words to live by.

Noel Keid

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