Not only are The Angels an Australian music institution, they are also a band who, despite being around for more than four decades, show no sign of slowing down.
Original guitarists Rick and John Brewster are the backbone of any musical incarnation featuring music from The Angels and are known as much for their natural ability and musicianship as they are for being part of one of this countries most successful and enduring rock outfits.
Since Dave Gleeson took over vocal duties after the loss of Doc Neeson, The Angels have had to often work with and around the touring schedule of Gleeson’s original band, The Screaming Jets, but in those moments of downtime Rick and John have steadfastly refused to lay down their guitars, instead continuing to tour and record in their own right.
“I find myself listening to old recordings of songs we’re about to play live, and I can’t work out what I played (laughs).”
Rick Brewster
With Gleeson again away on duties, the brothers have now decided to revisit The Angels vast back catalogue and drag out some songs that have previously never or rarely been played live.
Songs like Save Me, When The Time Comes, Dogs Are Talking, Moving On and City Out Of Control to name but a few have been given the kiss of life by Brewster Brothers Electric: Playing The Angels Rarities. Not only is the band – with fill-in vocalist Nick Norton, Sam Brewster on bass and Mick Skelton on drums accompanying Rick and John – performing a select number of live shows, they have also released the EP Lives Of Grace featuring the tracks Night Attack, Lives Of Grace, Moving On and Small Price To Pay.
HEAVY tracked down Rick Brewster to talk about the legacy and continued popularity of The Angels. We start by asking where he finds the drive and energy to keep pushing on with side projects where most people would be enjoying some downtime.
“It’s an opportunity to play some of the … what would you call them … we call them the rarities. When you think about songs like Dogs Are Talking or Eat City they are just songs we don’t often play because there’s not time in an Angels show. We’ve talked about doing rarities as a project with Dave, but the thing is Dave is busy all the time. As soon as we finish an Angels tour he’s out with The Screaming Jets. So we thought it’s an opportunity, we’ve got this freak drummer Nick Norton who is also got a great voice and plays guitar, and we thought let’s put a band together, do The Angels rarities, get another drummer and put Nick out front.”
In the full interview we ask Rick how they even pick a set list of rarities that will appease fans, reinvigorating themselves by playing older tracks, having to re-learn the songs, the live show and what to expect, the new EP Lives Of Grace, the recent documentary movie The Angels: Kickin’ Down The Door and what he thought of it, reflecting on their past achievements, upcoming shows, what’s next when Dave comes back and more.
