The year is 2001. And Melbourne band Motor Ace's world is blowing up… in a really amazing way.
Their album 'Five Star Laundry' was receiving saturation coverage across mainstream and indie radio stations; while the iconic track 'Death Defy' reached an even wider audience as the theme song for the beloved Australian television series 'The Secret Life Of Us' - you know, the series starring Claudia Karvan, Abi Tucker and Joel Edgerton.
Oh, and they performed live at the ARIAs that year as well as a host of other television appearances. Motor Ace were the next big thing in Australian music.
Chuck in support slots alongside Foo Fighters, Oasis and Blink-182, and you can grasp just how enormous the band was locally.
While the band had disbanded amicably by 2005 after the release of two further studio albums, Motor Ace had already secured legendary status in the Australian music scene.
2019 will mark the 20th anniversary since the band's inception and the guys are getting the band back together for a national run of live dates in March-April. "In retrospect, it can look a bit like we came out of nowhere. But we did work very hard with a lot of relentless touring, a focus on writing great songs and energetic live shows," lead singer Patrick Robertson says.
"We always struggled a little to find a stylistic niche and felt a little on the outer in that regard," adds drummer Damo Costin.
"But I think at the end of the day we made some really strong connections, and hopefully enduring ones, with our fans because of our songs above all else. It was pretty amazing at the time, and something that I still feel very proud of… we definitely milked being number one on the charts."
Since disbanding all those years ago, the Motor Ace boys have been up to all those regular 'life' things: families, kids and jobs. But for what's set to be an amazing few weeks of shows, the band are back together just like the good old days.
Although, in true Damo form, he jokes that a little stamina training might be in order this time around. "If I get to the end of the show and I am still alive it will be a miracle. I am currently in training – send in all fitness tips!"
Tickets to Motor Ace's 20th Anniversary – A Five Star Reunion Tour are on sale now. Click here for more information.
Motor Ace 2019 Tour Dates
29 Mar - The Gov (Adelaide)30 Mar - Capitol (Perth)
5 Apr - The Factory Theatre (Sydney)
6 Apr - The Triffid (Brisbane)
12 Apr - 170 Russell (Melbourne)
