While the majority of readers won't recognise who The Predators are, most of you will remember the band this trio was the original line-up of – Powderfinger.
The mix of Ian Haug (guitar), Steve Bishop (drums, vocals) and John 'JC' Collins (bass) are back with their second single 'Taking Fire', lifted from their forthcoming debut album 'Everybody Loves' (due 15 October).First forming as The Predators in 2005 during a Powderfinger hiatus, resulting in the excellent 2006 EP 'Pick Up The Pace' and an appearance at Splendour that same year, the band was put on the back-burner (save for the odd live show) when the 'Finger reconvened in 2007.
A decade and a half later, the pandemic and associated free time allowed Ian, Steve and JC to dust off the remnants of The Predators, the creative juices again flowing so they could at last create the album they'd always wanted to do. . . had to do.
The album's first single, 'Lead The Way', showcased a haunting slice of alternative rock (Interpol meets Dandy Warhols).
The follow-up single, 'Taking Fire' begins with a slow, rumbling start, brooding drums and menacing guitar stabs making way for burst of rock & roll glamour.
This is stoner rock at its finest bordering on the delicious grooves of The Desert Sessions (the collective helmed by Josh Homme).
"We wrote this song as a dirty stoner rock song, but it ended up getting more melodic along the way," admits Ian.
"We're still hoping that this song ends up on the jukebox at our favourite bar Benders in San Francisco."
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow, scenestr is amped to premiere 'Taking Fire' today. Enjoy.
Adds the band: "This song began with a very simple verse riff and chorus. It came alive when we started jamming on it in the studio.
"Bish made a mistake at one stage, which was a lucky thing because we kept it and this became a big part of the song."
'Everybody Loves' quickly became a labour of love, the trio recording at Ian's own Airlock Studios earlier this year.
As Steve relates, the relaxed process and ease of recording with mates who've been friends for decades allowed the trio the freedom to explore all facets of their own music-making process warts and all.
"It was a very therapeutic and cathartic experience for me making this music in the midst of COVID lockdowns," Steve says, "with people I admire and relate to on a primal musical level on material we had been trying to record for a number of years.
"To steal off JC: 'Some people have a ski lodge in the Swiss Alps or a fishing hut off Bermuda to seek solace in, The Predators had Airlock studios' where we could feel comfortable to bare our souls and put it down on data file (tape is more romantic, but too old school)."
The Predators launch 'Everybody Loves' at The Triffid (Brisbane) 15 October (sold out); they also play a special Christmas party gig at The Outpost (Brisbane) 15 December.
