The Badloves rocked Australian radios with hits like 'Green Limousine' and 'Lost' in the 1990s.
Now they're back together, joining forces with Taxiride for a night of '90s nostalgia that will have you reaching for your ripped-denim jeans and Doc Martens.
Reuniting last year after parting ways (for the second time) in 2010, The Badloves have welcomed a new member to the band, US drummer Jeff Consi who's more than happy to be slapping skins in a band after years working as a session musician. “It's been fantastic,” Jeff says.
“It's something that I've been wanting to do because I've always played with other bands and was never really in the band, so it's nice to be in a band again. I was more of a session guy, so it's actually quite nice to be back in a band situation. The transition's been fantastic and I couldn't be happier.“The live show is fantastic and the band's quite tight. I would say from the first rehearsal since the band got [back] together, it's just gelled, it's a very cohesive band. The feeling, I can't describe it; since note one, the first we played together, it's feels like home, it's lovely.”
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The son of a studio engineer and hailing from New York City, Jeff hadn't even heard of The Badloves when they were doing their thing back in the day. “I'm from New York and around the time they were doing that I was playing in original bands and was a session muso in Manhattan,” Jeff says.
“My only connection to Australia was a friend of mine handed me a Jimmy Barnes record when I was 17-years old, 'Freight Train Heart, which to this day I still love.”
The Badloves released their debut album 'Get On Board' in 1993 and follow-up record 'Holy Roadside' in 1994. In 1997, they released a live album 'Everybody Everywhere' before disbanding.
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They would reform occasionally for live shows, but it wasn't until last year when the band reformed in earnest. “I wouldn't say it's a comeback,” Jeff comments. “I would say it's more of a continuation than anything. We're writing at the moment and have been recording here and there, we're trying to put a new record together, so it's more of a continuation of what came before.
“That's the way I'm looking at it as well. Im just excited to do the new material as everyone else in the band because, to me, this is a new band.”
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With a back catalogue of hits and new material in the works, Jeff says both old and new fans of The Badloves have a lot to look forward to as the band trek across the country with those other '90s darlings, Taxiride. “I hope everyone enjoys it, we're there to entertain so that's our main goal. That's what we aim for all the time. We're hopefully going to bring new material, we got one or two new songs in the set.” Jeff now calls Melbourne home and considers himself a true blue Aussie, having moved here in the early 2000s after touring with Nuno Bettencourt from Boston band Extreme.
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Jeff says it was his work with Nuno that bolstered his career and prompted his permanent relocation. “Nuno is very meticulous as a musician goes and really kept me on my game, so it was a big learning experience the recording process and writing new material with him.”
“He's a one-man band essentially, but probably one of the most talented musicians I've ever worked with. It basically set me up to be pumped and ready to go, so it was cool and he's a very generous musician. And hey, it brought me to Australia so I can't complain.”
The Badloves perform with Taxiride at Twin Towns Resort 3 September.
