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The Screaming Jets.
The Screaming Jets may have dropped off the radar for a while
but they are still alive and kicking, churning out the type
of Aussie rock'n'roll that doesn't fit into the present media
hyped, pop/R&B filled mainstream. Not that this is a problem
for singer Dave Gleason.
"Just because you're not in the charts doesn't mean that what you're doing isn't relevant, and if you give up then you're never gonna know. As far as the music business is concerned, The 'Jets have existed outside the music industry since our inception. We haven't done many of the red carpets; that's not because we haven't been invited, that's 'cause we didn't want to go. We've got to make our own industry outside the music industry and that's why I think we've been able to survive, because the business is so full of liars and cheats."
Having recently completed a three month national tour to support their latest EP 'Heart Of The Matter', Gleason sounds as enthusiastic and energetic as ever. "The tour culminated in a huge show at the Bridgeway; people have really cottoned on to the idea that we're not just back doin' a reunion tour, we're doin' new stuff and the shows are fat and energetic as it ever has been."
Released on their own label, the EP sees a refreshed band writing new songs as a group after some time off. "It wasn't a full three year break, we did a coupla tours in that time, but we kinda backed the whole truck up and got a new manager and, for the last twelve months especially, it's been building up and we've got the ball rollin' again and it's all lookin' good for the next twelve or thirteen years," he laughs.
"It's kind of a double-edged sword having your own label. You get more control of what you're gonna do but you also have to come up with the money to do it. That's where record companies were good. We've been through just about every label. I'd always call them 'the bank' and they hated that 'cause that's all they are and that all it should be. You shouldn't have some pencil neck sitting there telling you he doesn't think the drums sound good enough on the track. So it means we've got to work harder to get the cash together but in the end it's sink or swim and that's the joy if it."
The band have scored the support slot for Velvet Revolver on their five date Australian tour, and Gleason is eager for the opportunity it presents. "Just want to get in front of the big crowds, 'cause we that when we do that people are gonna go 'wow, they are a force to be reckoned with!' That's our forte, when we're live."
Blake Lewis
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