With seven albums, 13 ARIA nominations and well over 1,000 shows under their 18-year-old belts, Aussie rock legends Grinspoon have earned some time to recharge their batteries, announcing they will take an indefinite hiatus to spend time with family and see some gigs.
“Thanks to all our families, friends, and especially our fans for the support over the last 18 years – it’s been a wild ride to say the least. We are still a band of brothers but it’s time for us to take a break and recharge the batteries. We’re excited to see what our future holds…adios amigos, it’s been a blast!, it’s been a blast,” the band said in a statement posted on their website.
Singer Phil Jamieson, guitarist Pat Davern, bassist Joe Hansen and drummer Kristian Hopes have been on the road for much of 2013 touring their seventh album Black Rabbits. Formed in NSW’s Lismore in 1995, the Grinners’ lineup has remained the same over the last two decades.
Since winning triple j‘s first ever Unearthed competition with track Sickfest in ’95, the band went on to release debut album and now Aussie classic 1997’s Guide to Better Living. The double-platinum disc hit #11 on the ARIA Albums charts and spawning classics like DC×3, Just Ace, and Champion.
Other career highlights include 2002’s New Detention which earned four ARIA noms, another double-platinum win and from which their first ballad Chemical Heart took out the #2 position in triple j’s 2003’s Hottest 100. 2004 saw Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills awarded Best Rock Album at the 2005 ARIAs and sold over 100,000 copies, thanks to songs like Better Off Alone and Hard Act To Follow.
Grinspoon’s final show – for now – will take place on Friday 20th December at Eaton Hills Hotel in Brisbane, QLD. “We didn’t plan it this way, but it made sense to end this chapter of our careers after our last show for 2013,” said the band. “We didn’t want to get up on stage for the final time for now and not be able to share our news with our fans.”
