Infectious Grooves return to Australia for their first live shows globally in five years, hitting the road later this month for a series of headline concerts as well as gracing Bluesfest with a powerhouse line-up loaded renowned music legends.
Undoubtedly, local Infectious Grooves fans have long awaited this moment. Drummer Jay Weinberg shares in the excitement, eagerly anticipating the chance to connect with Australian music enthusiasts."It's just difficult to bring a whole touring operation to Australia, and when you do, you really got to make it count, and it's one of our favourite places in the world.
"So, to get all of this to come together all at once, fairly quickly, is pretty amazing, and I think that's just a testament to everybody involved and just, you know, everybody kind of pitching in to really make this happen and be something that we're really looking forward to."
Drawing inspiration from their current stage in careers and lives, Infectious Grooves is poised to deliver a blend of both fresh and classic tunes to Australian audiences.
"We've had some rehearsals so far that have felt really fantastic, and the guys had the great idea of, like, let's see if we can harness some of this, you know, awesome potential and this energy we have here.
"To be able to not just look in the rear-view mirror and appreciate the things that Infectious has obviously done over a 30-year span, but to be adding some new sounds to that, that's really, really rad, and I'm honoured to be a part of that.
"On a tour like this, where it feels like a celebration of this band and this music, and especially with integrating new guys such as myself, I think the message is really, like I said, it's just for us to enjoy doing it and for people to enjoy us doing it."
Jay and guitarist Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver) join the ranks of Infectious Grooves for their Australian tour alongside long-standing members Mike Muir and Dean Pleasants (both of Suicidal Tendencies), and Robert Trujillo (Metallica), which presents a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"I think that a great directive we can all follow is kind of see what happens, see where our chemistry takes us, and people will be seeing that, you know, like being fleshed out right in front of them.
"Being that this is going to be my first time playing with the band live, I'm really excited to explore that myself and figure that out. That's always a unique and interesting challenge, finding my sea legs with a new group of guys and playing new material to me. That's like what sets me on fire. I really look forward to that."
Accustomed to the whirlwind of touring, Jay's mindset plays a crucial role in gearing up for shows and life on the road. Alongside practice and honing their craft as a cohesive unit, envisioning the flow, sound, and vibe of the live performance is equally vital in preparation.
"My drums in my house are going to feel much different on a stage where everything's turned up to the maximum volume and there is that adrenaline and excitement.
"The live setting is where everything comes alive. I mean, literally, that's where music deserves to be heard is live and loud in your face, amps turned up to 10, drums and cymbals super loud; that's the way music ought to be experienced."
After a significant hip operation, there's no question Jay is eager to return to the drum kit and take centre stage once again before a live audience.
"As a drummer who's trying to be the driving power source of the band that's quite a task to recover from a surgery where I couldn't really move afterwards for awhile and I'm just getting my physicality back.
"I know how to push myself and you deliver your physicality into the music the way that you're called to, like for me, there's kind of only one way of playing and that's going all the way into it, and sometimes you do feel the repercussions physically it's just part of it, and that's part of it that I love.
"There's no way other than just to get out and do it; I think the world is so advanced in the ways where you can really kind of book your own tours. I'll say my goal is to get through the shows, having memorised and played all the songs correctly. We dedicate ourselves to a life of music, and I think the goal should always be to have as good a time as possible."
Undoubtedly, Jay and the entire Infectious Grooves crew share the same level of excitement as their fans for their upcoming Australian performances.
Whether it's Byron Bay's Bluesfest or their own headline shows, anticipation and gratitude are palpable for all involved. "I feel like I'm so lucky to be a part of this community that's led me to these guys asking me to play on this tour.
"I really hope that everybody, anyone who can come to see Infectious Grooves, I'm not sure if there's another time down the line that we're looking at doing it. So, you know, I'm just hopeful that people are able to make it out and enjoy these shows because it should be a really fun time."
Infectious Grooves 2024 Tour Dates
Sat 30 Mar - Forum MelbourneSun 31 Mar - The Fortitude Music Hall (Brisbane)
Mon 1 Apr - Bluesfest (Byron Bay)
Thu 4 Apr - Hindley Street Music Hall (Adelaide)
Fri 5 Apr - UNSW Roundhouse (Sydney)
