IT was 1978, The Angels had released their second album, Face to Face, and punters who discovered the album at backyard parties began seeking out the band’s live shows.
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It’s also when punters first began trying to get a rise out of the stony-faced Rick Brewster.
Fast-forward 40 years and some things haven’t changed.
Punters still love the electricity in the air generated by the album’s killer tracks, including Take A Long Line, Marseilles, After the Rain and Be With You.
And they’re still trying to get a smile, an acknowledgement, a reaction – something! – from the immovable maestro Brewster.
“All my life I've had people try to make me smile or react in some way,” The Angels’ guitarist said.
“I've had girls take their tops off and people eat onions and lemons in front of me.
“When you see that, you want to react. But I just turn a blind eye. I consciously don't react.”
Face to Face put The Angels on the map both nationally and internationally. The multi-platinum release was described as a watershed for the band.
And it happened at the dawning of a golden era of pub rock in Australia.
Take A Long Line remains one of The Angels’ most loved songs. It spent a massive 29 weeks on the Australian singles charts, and the album remained in the charts for a year and a half.
John and Rick Brewster, and frontman Doc Neeson, wrote the songs for live audiences. They had a grit to them. And punters felt it.
“The music stood out as something new, raw and brooding with provocative lyrics,” Rick Brewster said.
“The (Face to Face) album totally complemented the live shows we were presenting.”
For the group, it was and always has been about the live music, and that’s why they’re taking Face to Face out on the road again.
“It’s impossible to describe the atmosphere of those days (1978) but it will be amazing to celebrate this album 40 years on,” John Brewster said.
“It’s a celebration and a tip of the hat to the two members of the gang who are no longer with us – Doc and Chris Bailey.”
The two-hour show features two sets, the complete album Face to Face, and all The Angels’ classics.
See the show at Belmont 16s on Saturday, June 9.
Tickets are now on sale online and from the front desk at Belmont 16s for $45 for show only. Premium seating dinner-and-show tickets are available for $80.
Doors open at 6.30pm for dinner-and-show ticket holders, and at 7.45pm for general admission show-only ticket holders.
- Tickets on sale now from proticket.com.au.
