After 26 years in the business, The Screaming Jets are still rocking out hard, and coming to a stage near you.
Frontman Dave Gleeson attributes their success to connecting with audiences through the quality of their songwriting, and constant touring. Coming off the back of their highly successful 25-year anniversary tour last year, the Jets will be once again hitting the road in an epic 30-date show to celebrate the release of their new album. Incorporating both rural and metropolitan venues, the Jet’s will spend months criss-crossing the country.
“If the people want us to play, we’re going to be there,” Gleeson says. The show is called ‘Rock N Roll Rampage’, a title dedicated to the good-old days of rocking out. “Because we’re an old-school rock band, we love to come through town and rock out and contribute to the delinquency of minors and then just get in our car the next day and leave a trail of dust as we head off to the next place.
“The stories that you hear over the years about cars in swimming pools, televisions out windows and all of that stuff, that’s the stuff that rock & roll history is made of. Not saying that we’re going to be doing that… but just to bring back those images of what a true rock & roll concert is supposed to be all about.”
While the name of the tour is set, the title of the new album is yet to be decided. Gleeson has had his heart set on ‘Kiss Me Between The Hangers’, but the working title won’t make the cut. The title is a throwback to a romance from Gleeson’s youth, and based on an old, air-force song of the same name. He even had the art work mocked up – a cover design of a '50s couple kissing between two aircraft hangers, the girl kicking one leg up behind her.
The album is, of course, classic rock. “It’s riff heavy, and it’s Jets’ rock to the max… not a ukulele in sight!” says Gleeson. “The rock I’ve always loved is blues-based rock, anything from AC/DC to Black Sabbath to Led Zeppelin and The Doors. It just has to have that bluesy feel, so there’s that on the album that’s for sure.
“There are some sweet harmonies and beautiful melodies on the record as well. It’s diverse, which we’ve always prided ourselves on, being able to do the slower songs as well as the heavy songs.”
The Jet’s tour will feature a few songs from the new album, but will rely heavily on old favourites.
“When I go to see a band, I want to hear the songs I know and love.” Gleeson says. “You’ve got to be very careful not to bore the crowd; it’s hard for people when they’re in a frenzy for them to say ‘oh, let’s give this [new] song a good listen and make sure we take it all in’. It’s much easier for us to do that on a CD.”
The word 'frenzy' is key. Fans can expect a high-energy show, because according to Gleeson, the Jets stake their reputation on it. “We like to bang into it and not let up for a good hour and a half. There are slower moments in the set, but it's pretty much balls to the wall from start to finish.
“We’re flying the flag for what real, Australian rock is all about,” Gleeson continues. “We’ve been doing it for this long, it’s no fluke that we’re still doing it; if you’re crap, you can’t do it. If you’ve been around for 26 years, and people are still keen to get out and see you and hear your music, it’s a testament to the fact that we’re doing something right. If you want to see what it looks like real, come and see the Jets.”
The Screaming Jets Tour Dates
Fri 11th Sep - Harvey Road Tavern, Clinton (QLD)Sat 12th Sep - Hornery Business Complex, Moranbah (QLD)
Sun 13th Sep - Lionleigh Hotel, Rockhampton (QLD)
Fri 18th Sep - Norths Leagues & Services Club, Kallangur (QLD)
Sat 19th Sep - Parkwood Tavern, Parkwood (QLD)
Fri 2nd Oct - Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba (NSW)
Sat 3rd Oct - North Haven Bowling Club, North Haven (NSW)
Sun 4th Oct - Royal Hotel, Muswellbrook (NSW)
Fri 9th Oct - Astor Hotel, Goulburn (NSW)
Sat 10th Oct - Kinross Woolshed, Thurgoona (NSW)
