To mark the first anniversary of the passing of one of Australia’s greatest musical legends, the Go Between’s Grant McLennan, a tribute album featuring some Australia’s biggest artists is being released in his honour.
While the Go Betweens never reached the levels of commercial success that they would have liked, they received huge acclaim internationally from critics and artists alike. In the album sleeve for Bellavista Terrace, the band’s best of compilation, Robert Forster jokingly claims that he wanted to call the album a greatest hits but couldn’t because they didn’t have any. But if Grant was here today to see the huge collaborative effort that has taken place to pay homage to him and his music, it would be hard for him not to realise just how valued and respected a part of the Australian music industry he was.
Last November, a tribute concert for Grant took place at the Tivoli in their hometown Brisbane, one of the Go Between’s favourite venues. There was no shortage of artists who put their hands up to get involved, including members of Youth Group, Powderfinger, and Augie March, as well as the Go Between’s own Glenn Thompson and Adele Pickvance. After the success of the concert, an idea was spawned for a tribute album that would feature covers of classic Go-Betweens tracks including Glenn Richard’s version of The House that Jack Kerouac built and Sarah Blasko’s Bye Bye Pride.
Dave McCormack was one of the performers at the Tivoli concert and he ended up getting poached to produce the tribute album.
“It all started when Triple J put on a Go Betweens tribute concert in Brisbane, ” says Dave. Richard Kingsmill rang up and said ‘We need someone to be in charge of getting the band together and making sure everyone can do their bit.”
He continues: “We did this gig and I thought that was the end of it, and the very next day the Sony people called me up and said ‘Let’s make a record.’”
It was a huge honour for Dave, being a massive Go Betweens fan. So much so that when I ask him which of their albums is his favourite, he keeps changing his mind, mentions the name of every one, and then just concludes that he loves them all.
“I’ve been a fan for ages so it was an absolute honour and a privilege to be a part of the tribute album.”
Although it’s called a tribute, Dave likes to think of the album more as a celebration of Grant’s life and his music.
“Paying homage sounds a bit too reverential. I just thought they were great songs and I just wanted to get a collection of people together to put their little personality stamps on the record.”
“If this record could bring a new generation of fans to The Go Betweens I would be absolutely thrilled.”
Personally, Dave says that Grant’s songwriting had a huge impact on the music he has produced over the years, as frontman of Custard and later with his current band The Polaroids.
“I’ve stolen all their ideas.”
“Basically whenever I’m writing a new song I think ‘Oh, what would the Go Betweens do here? I just steal stuff from them,” Dave jokes (I think!)
But in all seriousness, Grant’s influence on music in Australia and internationally is undeniable.
“Robert and Grant together, there’s no one else like them and they’ve had such a broad influence on the whole Australian music industry. It’s just sad that it took his passing for people to applaud his genius.”
The Go-Betweens were proudly Brisbane bred, with many of their songs paying tribute to life in Queensland. They were the first ones to make coming from Brisbane cool, Dave says.
“[To] all the Brisbane people… they’re our big brothers.”
“I’m never backwards in coming forwards about being from Brisbane because that’s where the Go-Betweens are from!”
Write Your Adventures Down will be launched at the Pauhaus Festival at the Powerhouse in Brisbane on Saturday the 9th of June. The album will be released on Sony BMG offshoot The Red Label on June 16.
