One of Australia’s most authentic and genre-defying bands, The Whitlams, is taking a nostalgic trip across the country with their ‘Early Years: ’93 – ‘97’ Tour. And they’re bringing double bass ninja Scott Owen along for the ride.
We catch up with The Whitlam’s legendary frontman, pianist and songwriter Tim Freedman at Gold Coast’s picturesque Dust Temple while he’s up here for a visit.
Sharply dressed for his shoot in a grey jacket with 3/4 length sleeves and rock star hair tousled to perfection, Freedman presents a very Sydney picture in the casual Currumbin café.
His demeanour is professional and friendly: he’s lived this a scenario a gazillion times, but treats it lightheartedly, and is happy to chatter on about all manner of subjects. But first, I’m curious how the whole Scott Owen collab came into being. Are they close friends?
“No, not really!” Tim laughs. “But we’ve known each other for a long time. We met at the ‘98 ARIAs.
"Back then The Living End were much in the same position as us except they were a Melbourne band and we were a Sydney band, both developing our sounds."
He recollects the late nineties scene.
“Sydney in those days was known for more grunge music. Our ears were ringing!
"Stevie [Plunder, late founding member] and I decided to have an acoustic afternoon at a Newtown hotel and work on harmonies and songwriting, and that’s how it all started. I think people were craving a respite from the racket.”
Add in third founding member, late bass player Andy Lewis, and The Whitlams were born. This line-up released their debut album, ‘Introducing the Whitlams’, in August 1993 on Black Yak/Phantom Records, and never looked back.
As a result of the untimely deaths of Steve Plunder (1996) and Andy Lewis (2000), Tim Freedman remains the only original member of the band, with the current lineup featuring Jak Housden, Ian Peres and Terepai Richmond.
Following the generally positive reception to ‘Introducing The Whitlams’ – particularly the moderate success of second single ‘Gough’, a nod to the band’s namesake - 1995 saw the arrival of well-received sophomore long player ‘Undeniably The Whitlams’.
The multi award-winning ‘Eternal Nightcap’ album (1997) then became the group’s breakthrough hit, cementing The Whitlams' status as Australian music royalty.
While the band’s current discography includes four subsequent albums, it’s these first three seminal releases that are being celebrated in the upcoming 'Early Years' tour, which is making a stop at our own Burleigh Bazaar on 15 October.
“We were an act with a double bass and no drummer at the start,” recalls Tim. “So we had sort of a country swing thing going on.
"The challenge for me will be singing songs I haven’t sung or played for 25 years,” he chuckles nervously. “But I’ve already had a little play with Scott, just piano and double bass.”
This tour will be a wonderful step back in time.
The Whitlams’ No.1 ‘No Aphrodisiac’ marked the band's evolution onto electric bass, with the first half of the song being recorded on double bass, and the second half on electric.
At that pivotal moment during the upcoming show, Scott Owen will leave the stage and Whitlams’ bassist Ian Peres will move from the Hammond organ onto bass and bring the show home with a string of the more recent hits like the always-relevant ‘Blow Up the Pokies’.
“Our electric bass player Ian Peres is the most dynamic bass player I’ve seen, so there’s going to have to be a section with just Ian and Scott together on the bass. Probably the double bass outro to ‘Eternal Nightcap’ might be the moment where something magical happens for bass fans!” Tim exclaims.
The upcoming Whitlam’s tour not all he’s got on the boil right now.
Tim is currently fronting a country act (“my country itch”) by the name of The Whitlams Black Stump Band, which also featuring some of Australia’s finest roots musicians, namely Rod McCormack on banjo and acoustic guitar, Ollie Thorpe on pedal steel and electric guitar, producer Matt Fell on bass, and long-time Whitlams’ drummer Terepai Richmond on drums.
Their latest single ‘Kate Kelly’ tells the story of the younger sister of bushranger Ned Kelly, and brings Australian storytelling into an Americana musical sensibility.
“We’re putting out an album in January,” says Tim. “We’ve been chipping away at it for a few years. I love telling a narrative over a banjo and pedal steel, it’s different. Out of the box.”
The Black Stump Band will feature on the lineup of September’s Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin NSW, something Tim is very much looking forward to. He lights up when I ask about it.
“It’s a baptism of fire!” Tim laughs.
“This is exactly the type of gig I wanted to do – on a big bill at a country music festival. 7.30 on a Saturday night. We can be a rock rhythm band, but I say we’re more country soul. Like all my stuff, hopefully it’ll make sense when you see it.”
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If you feel like making the trip down south to catch The Black Stump Band, head over to deniutemuster.com.au for details. They’re also touring throughout New South Wales and Queensland in May and June, with a stop in Lennox Heads.
The Whitlam’s Early Years: ’93-’97 Tour kicks off in Coffs Harbour on 22 September and will hit The Tivoli in Brisbane on 13 October, and Burleigh Bazaar on the Gold Coast on Sunday 15 October. Tickets are on sale now and available via thewhitlams.com.
Want more Tim? Head over to our Insta @blankstreetpress to see him answer some fan questions.
