WHEN WHITE NOISE MEETS RED DIRT
The Living End on their way north west
Ten years on, with umpteen massive hits, several studio albums, international success, big tours and bigger gigs, moments of creative inspiration remain a strong driver for the threesome.
“Chris has been noodling around with a few riff ideas so we’ll hash it out, take it day by day and song by song; we don’t want to have any preconceived ideas,” Strachan says.
Indeed, the organic nature of the musical experience is vital.
“When it’s right, you know it and everyone in the room starts to get excited and the process of creation is so different every time,” he adds.
As with their huge album “White Noise”, which spawned the massive hit of the same name, culling from thirty songs appeared impossible at first.
“They were good, they were really good, but they just weren’t amazing,” Strachan states, matter of fact, “and then Chris came in with this octave pedal and it just made his guitar sound like a Harley Davidson and he started playing the riff to ‘How do we know’ and Scott and I just both had tears in our eyes, we were so excited.
“It took months and months to find that sound and it just happened in an instant.
“I’ll never forget those sort of things you know, and we’re pretty lucky to have experienced them.”
Not only creating music, but coming to grips with fame and fans still has Strachan waking some days in disbelief.
“We’re so appreciative of having fans; it allows us to do what we do and we’re forever grateful for it and we’re overwhelmed sometimes by the amount of support we’ve had and continue to receive.”
Come August 18, North West Festival ticketholders will be on the receiving end of thrills from The Living End.
It’s been about six years since the group played in the Pilbara and Kimberley and they can’t wait to return.
“We’ve got this show coming up and that’s our chance to get together again,” Strachan says.
“We had to do it because we don’t get that opportunity to get up there that often and to tour off your own bat is near on impossible.
“It’s a no brainer.”
Photo courtesy of Kane Hibberd
