In an exciting announcement, legendary Australian rock band, The Living End, is gearing up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their iconic self-titled debut album. Frontman Chris Cheney joins Triple M Homegrown to reveal all the thrilling details about this milestone event. Without a doubt, this anniversary celebration is a momentous occasion, and the band has big plans to mark the event in style. So, let’s delve into the exciting details shared by Chris Cheney about how The Living End plans to commemorate this historic milestone.
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The Living End’s Monumental Debut
On 12th October 1998, The Living End unleashed their highly anticipated self-titled album to the world. Coming off the back of the massive double A-side single ‘Second Solution’ / ‘Prisoner of Society’, the pressure was on for the band to deliver a stellar full-length record. And deliver they did – the album debuted at an impressive #1 on the ARIA Album Chart and remained in the Top 10 for an astounding 27 weeks. With such a phenomenal start, the album exceeded all expectations, solidifying its place as a staple in Australian musical history. To add to the accolades, the album went on to win two prestigious ARIA Awards: “Breakthrough Artist – Album” and “Best Group,” at the 1999 ceremony.
A Timeless Classic in Australian Music
As the years passed, ‘The Living End’ continued to solidify its place in Australian musical history. Remaining on the ARIA Album Charts for a remarkable 83 weeks, the album’s staying power was undeniable. What’s more, the record spawned five successful singles, captivating the hearts of music enthusiasts across the country. Today, it proudly boasts a certified 5 x platinum status and remains one of the best-selling debut rock albums in Australian music history.
Notably, in 2011, ‘The Living End’ was voted as the #4 album in the ‘Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time’ poll. This accolade put The Living End in illustrious company, sandwiched between AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ and INXS’s ‘Kick,’ a testament to the album’s lasting impact and influence.
Chris Cheney’s Reflection on the Journey
As the band looks back on the creation of ‘The Living End,’ frontman Chris Cheney shared his thoughts on the album’s significance. Reflecting on the journey that led them to this groundbreaking record, Cheney expressed,
“I think unknowingly our destination was always this; this album right here. All songs led here. All the gigs and all the songs we’d written and rejected over the years, all the lessons we’d learned had been building up to this….our first album.”
Chris Cheney, Frontman of The Living End
Cheney further explained the diverse musical influences that shaped the album’s unique sound.
“Ultimately what we captured was a melting pot full of our influences but not to the extent that we sounded confused. The way we played glued it all together. Stylistically, it had punk (‘West End Riot’), metal (‘Growing Up Falling Down’), pop (‘I Want a Day’), rockabilly (‘Second Solution’), hillbilly thrash on steroids (‘Prisoner of Society’), jazz (‘Fly Away’), ska (‘Trapped’ and ‘All Torn Down’), swampy surf twang (‘Bloody Mary’), country pickin’ and anything else we thought we could throw at it.”
Chris Cheney, Frontman of The Living End
The 25th Anniversary Edition
To commemorate the album’s 25th anniversary, The Living End will release a special edition of ‘The Living End’ on 13th October 2023. The reissued album will feature 14 tracks repackaged for both vinyl and CD formats, accompanied by a 32-page booklet featuring liner notes penned by Chris Cheney and rare photos from the period. In addition, the release will include a 10-track live recording from 1998, featuring a rare cover version of ‘On The Inside’ (theme from ‘Prisoner’) and a riotous rendition of ‘Prisoner of Society.’ The latter has been released digitally as a tantalizing teaser to whet fans’ appetites for the upcoming release.
Tickets and Pre-Sale Details
Fans are eagerly anticipating the celebratory hometown show at Melbourne’s Festival Hall on Saturday, 4th November. To ensure they don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience, the band is offering advance tickets to fans who are signed up to their database via pre-sale on Thursday, 3rd August at 12 pm AEST. For those who miss the pre-sale, general ticket sales will commence on Friday, 4th August at 12 pm AEST. Click Here For Tickets.
TLDR
As we approach the 25th anniversary of The Living End’s iconic self-titled album, anticipation is building for the grand celebration at Melbourne’s Festival Hall. With Chris Cheney’s insights into the album’s creation and the announcement of the special edition release, fans are in for an exciting journey down memory lane. Join The Living End in commemorating a quarter-century of musical excellence and revel in the rockin’ nostalgia that is ‘The Living End.’ Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event that will surely go down in Australian music history!
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