If life experience is the key to a great band, then – as with any relationship – time apart can yield some unexpected results. Between Tim’s film work on “The Rise and Rise of Richard Latté”, Wally’s triple Grammy win (as Gotye) and Kris’ latest bout of malaria, all signs point toward an interesting future for the band.
Abandoning the live circuit in 2010, the band summed up Act One of their career earlier this year with the “best-of” set Ingredients and rarities collection Leftovers, prompting rumours of a reunion.
“So it is written, so shall it be done”, and the return of the Jedi Basics has them very shortly heading around the country with shows in all East Coast capitals (and a few other places, too) and tickets on sale Wednesday June 12.
“I think of this tour and every possibility that might come out of it as a sign from on high,” said Kris Basic, speaking from a Kenyan hospital. “The break has been very healthy for us (aside from the actual near-death experiences) – a good bit of time to focus on ourselves, build on our strengths and see this band of ours from the outside. Talking to Tim and Wally lately, it’s evident how this new perspective has got us all excited about where we might go next.”
The band’s career has spanned well over a decade, outlasting most of their contemporaries, and giving us four studio albums with singles ‘With This Ship’ and ‘Like a Brother’ added to triple j. These and other tracks featured in hit US TV shows like Californication and Scrubs have also earned the band a cult following across the globe.
“It’s been a great challenge nutting out how to bring a large band, visuals and studio compositions together for the Gotye live shows over the last two years,” said Wally Basic, having recently concluded his tour commitments. “But right now I’m looking forward to getting sweaty behind the drums and playing rock ‘n’ roll in these fab clubs with my brothers Kris and Tim.”
Whatever comes next, The Basics will be celebrating their catalogue of good-time genre-bending classics, with their latest single “So Hard For You” showcasing the gritty live sound that has come to define the band. Time to get excited, people!