Rollercoaster

THE Living End are currently celebrating the release of their most critically acclaimed album to date - White Noise.

However news has just leaked that White Noise almost never begin with vocalist Chris Cheney making the decision to leave the band in 2006.

The band that had been touring solidly since 1994 were having second thoughts on the band - especially Cheney.

"I thought I don't want to be here," Cheney was quoted as saying.

"It hit me like a lightning bolt: 2000 people, a massive show and I didn't want to be doing it."

"I ploughed through the songs but I was disgusted with myself that it had come to that."

Drummer Andy Strachan said the whole band had reached its breaking point.

"Chris was the one who spoke up and said he really needed a break," Strachan said.

"We just wanted to give him time to breathe and make sure that he was making the right decision."

Strachan blamed the day-to-day pressure of constant touring.

Their previous album State of Emergency saw them tour for two solid years.

"We were constantly living out of a suitcase and it gets the better of you doing six shows a week," he said.

"Physically and mentally."

Cheney had also missed the few two years of his daughters life while touring State of Emergency.

When he made the decision to call it quits Cheney was sent away without any contact from the band for a few months.

He took up yoga, spent more time with his daughter and more importantly began to write what would be the first song on the new album White Noise. Cheney approached the band with How Do We Know.

From there The Living End set out to create an entire album with the same sound.

This became a turning point for the band and helped them to regain their passion for the industry.

"After going on a break, what could have been a permanent break, we got to reassess things," Strachan said.

"We all thought this is a great job and we're so lucky and so we went in (to recording White Noise) with more of an appreciation for what we were doing.

"This has been the most enjoyable (album) by far, I think our headspace knew we were onto a good thing."

White Noise went on to win ARIA awards for Best Rock Album 2008 and Best Album of the Year.

It debuted at number two on the Australian Album Chart and received gold certification within its first week of released.

The Living End was back on track.

Cheney said the turmoil in the band "had to happen" for them to have released such a successful follow up album.

The band collaborated with noted producer John Agenllo (Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady) and switched to the label Dew Process to put out a sound that they were happy with.

Described as a deeper and more sombre sounding album to what they were used to, White Noise opens with prolific track How Do We Know which puts across a heavy sound that carries through the whole record.

The Living End is looking forward to putting out some new tunes to their audiences at Rollercoaster in Hall Park on Mandurah on December 27. Tickets are on sale now.

 

Ready to make a noise: The Living End are headlining the Rollercoaster concert after the release of their latest album White Noise. Drummer Andy Strachan talks about the bands potential split which lead to the albums making.

 

 

a:   Nikkita Dixon