When COVID-19 restrictions killed off live music for the bulk of 2020, the loss of the annual Rockin' 4 The Homeless concert fundraiser in Redcliffe had a potentially devastating impact.
Almost overnight, the 100 per cent volunteer-run Breakfast Club, which provides over 12,000 free community meals every year, lost its major revenue stream, putting vulnerable community members even more at risk.Step forward Hoodoo Gurus' Dave Faulkner, along with a collection of Australian bands and artists, who have contributed tracks to the 'Rockin' 4 the Homeless: Greatest Hitters 2014-2020' album to take the place of the live event.
For Faulkner, rekindling a long-term collaboration for the charity was a no-brainer. "Dan [Nebe, Event Director] was someone we met over the years; he's a musician and has worked as a roadie," Dave says.
"He mentioned this Breakfast Club that he set up; it's remarkable. There's a community down in Redcliffe who he provides with this beacon of hope. It's social as well as the food; it's a place to be, to feel welcome, and to feel like a part of the community. It's incredible.
"Brad [Shepherd, Hoodoo Gurus guitarist] and I played as a duo a few years ago, and a couple of years after that I went up and was a sort of charity auctioneer, along with Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus.
"We had a guitar that was signed and things like that and we had a really great time. Sarah and I were trying to encourage people to dig deep, and they did. Sarah is amazing. You can just wind her up and let her go – she pretty much carried me," he says, laughing.
The inclusion of the unreleased and unheard 'Mighty Clean' makes the album a must-buy for Hoodoo Gurus fans. "We did an album a few years ago and we had a whole lot of songs left over afterwards," Faulkner says.
"We had some really great songs, and this was just one song that fell through the cracks. It's a song that I've always liked. When Dan said he was putting together an album this year instead of a gig because COVID made it really hard, it was good that this song could find a home."
The song also marks a milestone for the band, and is one that won't be found on any future release. "The thing about this song is that it features Mark Kingsmill, who retired a couple of years ago after being in the band since joining in 1984," Faulkner says.
"He's put down his drumsticks and is very happy in retirement; he doesn't want to know about playing drums any more, sadly, as he's a brilliant drummer. Mark was such a big part of us and it wouldn't be fair to put this on a record with Nik [Rieth, drummer].
"It would have been a shame for nobody to hear this song, and you don't tend to re-record songs if you like how they are. It wasn't like we wanted to go back and re-do it with Nik, so it was sat there all dressed up and nowhere to go, as they say."
The lyrical content is ideal for those hitting the town as restrictions are eased. "It's one of those songs where I'm talking about when you've had a hard week in work, the boss has been giving you a hard time and it's been a bit stressful," Dave says.
"It's about letting off steam, and you're good to go, feeling good, and you might get lucky [laughs]. So you're feeling 'mighty clean' and a little bit cocky, maybe."
It's been ten years since Hoodoo Gurus' last LP, and the quartet has been productive during lockdown. "We've been in the studio, recording new songs and working towards a new album for next year," Faulkner says.
"We're about halfway there now. We just got out of the studio last night, with three songs recorded. They all sound like singles to me, but they always do."
'Rockin' 4 The Homeless 2020: The Greatest Hitters 2014-2020' is available now. Sarah McLeod will be at the Redcliffe Markets (Brisbane) hanging out at the Rockin' 4 The Homeless merch stand Sunday 6 December at 10am.
