Australian indie-rock royalty The Grates will reunite their original line-up to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their seminal album, 'Teeth Lost, Hearts Won'. Aw Yeah.
Singer Patience Hodgson, guitarist John Patterson and drummer Alana Skyring will be together onstage again like it's the noughties for a special run of shows this November-December in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Alana is set to return from her home base in New York City especially for the tour, rejoining Patience and John, who as well as being rock stars, married and arguably the coolest parents in the world, have spent recent years carving names for themselves as entrepreneurs and owners of the Southside Tea Room in Brisbane.
"When we first broke up as a band we sought council from a psychologist because we wanted to do it without regret," Patience says.
"He suggested we spend a good length of time apart, so when we came back together, it would be as three different people. The psychologist was right. We missed each other's weddings. We missed each other's birthdays. Finally, we missed each other.
"International phone calls went from once a year to more, then once a month to more, and we'd be chatting for hours and hours like high schoolers. I met Alana and John while I was in high school.
"They have had the biggest influence on my life. They introduced me to triple j, they made me mixtapes of local bands, they invited me into music. I can't wait until we are all back on the stage together – a joyous celebration of people who changed my life: Alana, John and the audience."
The shows will be a combination of the most memorable moments of 'Teeth Lost, Hearts Won' as well as songs from their debut LP 'Gravity Won't Get You High' and some classics from the rest of their impressive catalogue. "[We're] always looking for our next big project," John says.
"We've never spent much time looking back, but this feels like the perfect time in our lives to reflect and celebrate the music we've made together and a friendship that spans decades."
"I can't wait to play these songs again with a new energy and perspective," adds Alana.
The Grates Tour Dates
Sat 24 Nov - The Factory Theatre (Sydney)Fri 7 Dec - The Corner Hotel (Melbourne)
Sat 8 Dec - The Rosemount (Perth)
Sat 15 Dec - The Tivoli Theatre (Brisbane)
