After over half a decade being happily broken up, Australia’s massive rock export Jet are back on the stage and playing shows together again, and seemingly enjoying it too. Not only that, but the band have just signed a new global publishing deal with BMG, prompting the question: could new music come from this sudden reformation?
Sure, the promise of supporting Bruce Springsteen on his Aussie tour was probably a big factor in getting the band back together after all those years, and the deal is of course concerned with monetising Jet’s expansive catalogue of very valuable hits. But having rehearsed enough to shake the cobwebs out after six years and a new deal on the table, the time could be prime for the Melbourne pub rockers to mount a comeback.
“I’ve been thinking that for a couple of years,” drummer and vocalist Chris Cester told us ahead of the tour, expressing a desire to get the band back on the live stage, but explaining the factors preventing that – namely, interest from his brother and Jet’s frontman Nic Cester.
“I really miss the live thing that we had, and it definitely took a while to get used to not doing that every day. So I wanted to for a long time, but I suppose Nic just hasn’t been in a place where he did too.”
Now, Nic’s interest in playing with the band has been piqued once again, and it’s not inconceivable that the reunion could carry on beyond the stage and into the studio. “It’s been a real pleasure to be back with my friends,” he told the crowd at an emotional reunion gig.
“It’s been a real pleasure to be back with my friends,” Nic tells the crowd
For their part, we’re sure BMG wouldn’t say no to another song or two, and perhaps the deal could be extended to cover any future releases.
“Jet have created some of the most iconic Australian songs of all time,” they said as they announced the publishing deal, which includes the global rights to the band’s multiple platinum records and a stable of hits ideal for playing behind half-time highlights packages at the footy. “It is a true honor for BMG to both protect and build this undeniable legacy.”
While money is obviously a big driver in deals like this, and would have had a hand in the band’s reformation to support The Boss, building the Jet legacy could certainly involve recording some new music rather than just re-releasing the first couple of albums as they’ve just done.
Their final album so far, Shaka Rock (and arguably their second effort Shine On), didn’t quite live up to the promise of that 9x platinum monster that was Get Born, but with plenty more years in the rear-view mirror since then and a renewed desire to be back doing their thing as a unit, we might still be in with a chance at getting born again.
For now, Jet are playing two shows at Sydney’s Twilight At Taronga, with tickets still available to the final show on Sunday Feb 19.
