MORE than 40 years after forming, The Angels’ vast catalogue is packed with decades-old radio staples and instantly recognisable live favourites.
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Therefore, for the Australian rockers to be able to visit essentially untapped markets, where Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again or Shadow Boxer aren’t widely known proved a refreshing change recently.
This was the case during the veteran outfit’s brief European run last year.
The Angels played the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival, as well as shows in London and Paris during the trip, their first European performances for 35 years.
“It’s always a challenge to play to a new audience,” guitarist Rick Brewster said.
“I think the band is really good at rising to that challenge.
“The standout one was Paris. It was a sold out show and the entire audience were singing not just the lyrics, but they sang the guitar solos.
“It was as loud as the band, incredible. I’ve never seen that anywhere.
“I don’t know how many people outside the show before we went on, and after, they kept coming up and saying, ‘we’ve waited 35 years for you to come back’,” he laughed.
It’s been more than four decades since brothers Rick (lead guitar) and John (rhythm guitar) Brewster co-founded The Angels, who have penned some of Australia’s most anthemic tracks.
Having witnesses such a rabid response, The Angels are now hopeful of returning to the European market, especially its lucrative festival circuit.
“It was so huge, much bigger than anything we’ve seen here,” Rick Brewster said of Sweden Rock.
“I reckon when we played, we probably started out with two or three thousand in front of our stage.
“By the end of the show it was probably closer to ten thousand, they just kept coming in.
“It was an amazing crowd – they knew a lot of the songs, and the ones who didn’t know the songs, they got off on it.”
The band’s current line-up is fronted by Dave Gleeson (The Screaming Jets), and also features John Brewster's son Sam on bass and Nick Norton (drums).
Rick believes the current incarnation has reinvigorated the other band members, as well as their overall performances.
“We’ve just got a really tight rhythm section these days, and John and I are the old farts who just love doing what we’ve always done, play guitar.
“Dave is a wonderful front-man, great singer, great bloke.”
Despite the fractured relationship the band had with deceased former front-man Doc Neeson, they frequently acknowledge both him and late founding bassist Chris Bailey at shows.
“They’re both hugely important components of the band and its history,” Rick said.
“We always give a nod to those guys; they were exceptional.”
Moving forward, The Angels will perform as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour, which also features Jimmy Barnes, Noiseworks, Mark Seymour and the Undertow and The Badloves.
The tour visits Kiama Showground on Sunday, March 20.
The Angels released an album of all-new material, Talk The Talk, in 2014, but these performances will largely be focused on the hits.
“I love playing and performing, that’s probably the most gratifying thing,” Rick said.
“Getting up in front of a large crowd like that and hearing them sing just about every lyric that we’ve written is a great feeling.
“The other thing that’s really good about these shows is getting to know some of the guys in the other bands.
“It’s very different to the playing pubs and clubs, where usually you’re chasing each other’s tails around the same circuit and never really get to meet anyone.
“These shows, everyone lobs in early and has a bite to eat, a couple of drinks and a chat.
“People I’ve never really known at all, like Mark Seymour it’s good to have a chat and get to know each other a bit.”
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster by phoning 136 100 or visiting the www.ticketmaster.com.au website, or from Kiama Visitors’ Centre on 1300 654 262.