For six short years between 1992 and 1998, the songwriting partnership of Nina Gordon and Louise Post created an indelible mark on alternative rock as the creative force behind Veruca Salt.
They were the taste du jour of their time; two strong, creatively passionate women who produced powerful indie anthems, such as their biggest hit ‘Seether’ from their 1994 debut album ‘American Thighs’. The only thing bigger than their music, was the rift between the two friends that saw Nina leave the band in 1998.
Their split was once described by music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine as ‘one of the greatest rock soap operas since Fleetwood Mac or Hüsker Dü’. “We loved singing together,” Nina says.
“Louise and I were very close and shared so much in those short years; it was really just six years that the band was together, but we were very close and we were side-by-side for these very pivotal, important years in our lives as we were defining ourselves as young women, musicians and performers.
“Then we had this rift and split up, and music was never really the problem. It was personal bullshit that pulled us apart and we needed to go away and lick our wounds and forge our own, separate lives and musical identities, and we did.
“With some time and perspective we came back to the realisation that what we had was really very special and that it didn’t sting as much as it did, and year-by-year it was always a little bit softer, a little bit easier, a little bit warmer.”
It wasn’t until 2013 that Nina and Louise reconnected, at first finding common ground in motherhood before re-establishing their musical bond and the band itself. “I think [in] 2013 it just kind of came together because Louise and I had been talking but mostly about personal stuff, having nothing to do with music, just having to do with life, marriage and motherhood and all that.
"Then one day I just threw the idea out that maybe we should play together. The band all got together and it was a total love-fest where we were so happy to be in each other’s presence again and then from the moment we played music it was a beautiful, healing and exciting rebirth and we loved it.
"So it all just came together, I don’t know why but time; time, time, time and perspective.”
Upon a warm wave of ‘90s nostalgia, Veruca Salt are returning to Australia in their original line-up for A Day On The Green as well as their own headline side shows. “I don't think we would do any of these shows if it weren’t the four of us at this point,” Nina says.
“That's who we are, that's Veruca Salt and everything else is just water under the bridge. We're here and it’s going to be the four of us.
“We've always had great shows in Australia; we've always had these really monumental rock experiences every time we've ever gone to Australia back in the day – even as recently as two years ago [2014 in fact] – and I think Australian fans are outstanding.
“They're so loyal and devoted, they love the rock and they know all of our music in detail, and it’s always really rewarding going there. We have some of our very best fans over there so we enjoy it a lot.”
A Day On The Green Tour Dates
Sat 24 Feb - Bimbadgen (Hunter Valley)Sun 25 Feb - Sirromet Wines (Brisbane)
Sat 10 Mar - Josef Chromy Wines (Launceston)
Sun 11 Mar - Mt Duneed Estate (Geelong)
Sat 17 Mar - Leconfield Wines (McLaren Vale)
Veruca Salt Headline Shows
Wed 28 Feb - Canberra Theatre CentreThu 1 Mar - The Metro Theatre (Sydney)
Sat 3 Mar - Red Hill Auditorium (Perth)
Fri 19 Mar - 170 Russell (Melbourne)
