Two Aussie music icons will be showing up in a slightly unexpected place very soon, as The Living End’s and Grinspoon’s respective frontman Chris Cheney and Phil Jamieson are set to take to the stage to star in Green Day’s musical American Idiot.

The Australian version of the show will feature both frontmen in the role of ‘St Jimmy’, following in the footsteps of Green Day frontman Billy Joe Armstrong himself, who played the role on the odd occasion throughout the U.S. run.

Artistic Director Nick Skubij says that the rockers won out over a huge amount of auditions due to their rock pedigree. “We had over 600 people from across the nation audition for parts and believe we have on board a collection of the most authentic and talented performers. Who better to portray this electric story than actual rock stars themselves?”

The show kicks off at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Playhouse on Feb 23 with Cheney in the role, while Jamieson will don the costume from the 28th onwards – and no doubt they’ll be checking to see who scores the best reviews.

The show is coming exclusively to the Brisbane venue, and is described as “the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9/11 world”, drawing from the music and lyrics of Green Day’s 2004 album, as well as the novel written by Armstrong with Michael Mayer.

More info on the show, as well as tickets, can be had on the website – here’s an idea of what you can expect the new cast members to be busting out:

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