Australia’s irrepressible jam-band, The Delta Riggs are releasing their third studio album Active Galactic tomorrow, and fans are in for a disco-infused, punk-laced rock ‘n’ roll treat.
The Riggs made a conscious decision to focus on songwriting for this new 13-tracker, which pays dividends with a bunch of killer one-liners, dance rhythms and “deeper, lush sounding choruses,” that are sure to enrapture the writhing masses when they hit the road this September.
“The rule of this record was if you have to think about whether the part should be there or not, don’t put it in. Less is more,” said Michael ‘Monte’ Tramonte, the band’s bass player.
The new album continues to defy pigeonholing as it spans a continuum from the Bee Gees-inspired ‘Surgery of Love’ and funky ‘Baddest Mother-Fucker in the Beehive’, through to the punk-rock of ‘Stay While You Run Away’. There’s even a slight curveball to delight Delta Riggs and Sticky Fingers fans with ‘Get Right’, a Clash-cum-Wailers anthem calling youth to get their “boots on the ground and take up the fight” in the face of issues like Lockout Laws.
Often likened to rock n roll legends The Rolling Stones, what is the secret to The Delta Riggs’ ever-impressive stage show? Monte puts their ability to simply rock up and rock out down to the time they lived together on an orange orchard an hour north of Sydney.
“All we did was smoke weed and play music all day. So we became in tune with each other as musicians,” he said. “Ever since that, we haven’t really had to work as hard as some other bands. In the 6 months we did like 3 years worth of rehearsal.”
But don’t take The Delta Riggs’ lackadaisical approach to rehearsing as not giving a shit. Not only are the guys delivering what they consider their absolute best music yet, they give a lot of thought to offering fans a range of fun, exclusive opportunities to get up close and personal with this album.
They’re obviously onto a good thing too, as the limited edition, experiential merch packs have sold out, which included dinner with friends, cooked by Monte. “I’m a culinary king,” he said, “in my own kitchen at least!” Also on the menu were epic bomber jackets (we wish we’d ordered one with our vinyl now), making an original art piece with Simon or cruising with Elliot in his 1963 Chrysler.
“Life’s more about experiences than material things,” said Monte, “You need to separate yourself, get creative, as there are so many bands out there and a memory is a more important gift to have.”
And speaking of fans, what advice do The Delta Riggs have for the likes of those hat-stealing ‘fans’ from the last shows in Adelaide and Brisbane? “If we say something we look like the bad guys,” Monte said, “Just don’t fuck with people when they’re on stage entertaining you. Like what’s the point? Why are you there in the first place?”
Active Galactic can be pre-ordered now, and will be out tomorrow through Inertia.
The Active Galactic Tour
Friday September 23 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
Saturday September 24 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Thursday September 29 – The Whalers Hotel, Warranambool
Friday September 30 – The Gov, Adelaide
Saturday October 1 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Sunday October 3 – SSA Club, Albury
Thursday October 6 – Kay St, Traralgon
Friday October 7 – The Grand Hotel, Mornington
Saturday October 8 – Westernport Hotel, Phillip Island
Wednesday October 19 – Academy Night Club, Canberra
Friday October 21 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Saturday October 22 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
Thursday October 27 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
Friday October 28 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
Saturday October 29 – The Big Banana Festival, Coffs Harbour
Friday November 4 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
Saturday November 5 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
Thursday November 10 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
Friday November 11 – The Triffid, Brisbane
Saturday November 12 – SOLBAR, Sunshine Coast
