One of Australia’s most loved live bands You Am I return to The Tanks Arts Centre this Friday 11th August for what will no doubt be one cracker of a live show! With their tight pop rock tunes and blowtorch charisma, the band is set to perform favorites from their entire catalogue spanning their near 25 year career.
Speaking to drummer Rusty Hopkinson, he was full of admiration for Cairns premier live music venue The Tanks Arts Centre.
“I really dig the joint, we’ve played there a couple of times and it’s always great. It’s a very special venue and the fact that’s its run for the community is really cool. We’re looking forward to getting on stage and knocking it out of the park!”
In 1993 Hopkinson joined You Am I after they partied ways with there then drummer Mark Tunaley right before the release of their debut album ‘Sound As Ever’. Hopkinson’s first major gig with the band would be at Big Day Out Festival in January 94 and in the same year the band won Best Alternative Release at 1994 ARIA Awards.
“I literally got a call from the guys when they were in New York saying ‘our drummers going to leave, do you want to have a jam when we get back’. Their manager sent me the new album and the first song I listened to was ‘Berlin Chair‘ which literally blew my mind. So we had a jam when they got back and it pretty much exploded from there.”
Having started his musical life as a guitarists, Hopkinson transition to the drums as a teen was somewhat accidental.
“I was in a punk band when I was 14 and we had 3 guitarists and a bass, but no drummer. I was playing guitar but we would swap around on who would play the drums, but I was the only one that could hold a beat. So from there I was pretty much a drummer. I eventually bought a drum kit and then realised that drummers were in more demand than not very good guitarists (laughter). I wasn’t like I studied or anything it was just something that snowballed from there. I was sought of an accidentally drummer in a way”.
With all the band members in You Am I having such busy schedules and solo careers, the guys are still pushing towards recording a new album in the future.
“We’ve all got a lot of things happening individually so when we do get the opportunity to get together and have a bash it is very gratefully taken. It’s a wonderful thing to have this band in our lives and it’s always a pleasure to have that relationship. We’ve talked about a new album so maybe next year when we can all find the time to get together we’ll go from there”.
You Am I perform at The Tanks Arts Centre on Fri 11th August. Doors from 6.30pm, Show starts 7.30pm. Support from Swamp Donkey. Tickets from Ticketlink.
Mitch Sullivan
Tickets available through Ticketlink
© Copyright 2024 | NQ Music Press