A momentary altercation on a Christchurch primary school football field was the catalyst for a music partnership between James Reid and Hamish Gee that has spanned almost twenty years and brought us The Feelers.
Along the way they have amassed some remarkable statistics, a quarter of a million albums sold, five multi platinum albums, three number one albums, seven number one singles and more radio airplay than any other New Zealand artist or band since radio stats began in 1999.
The Feelers have gone from busking on street corners to becoming pioneers of the kiwi music industry, thanks largely to the songwriting genius of James Reid. Now, after a six-year break The Feelers are back with their new album Hope Nature Forgives to be released on August 1st.
A lot has happened in the lives of James and Hamish since their last multi platinum offering, One World. Hamish got married; James has welcomed his first child and ‘got arrested more times than is humanly possible for doing diddly squat’ (in his own words!). They have also welcomed two new arrivals to the band, guitarist Andy Lynch (formerly of Zed) and bass player Matt Short. ‘It’s great to have the four of us in the room playing together, we are having a lot of fun, it’s the way music should be made,’ says James.
In 2012, The Feelers are promising one of their best live shows yet, ‘our set lists just keep getting longer and longer, we will probably play for well over two hours this time around,’ says Hamish. And fans can rest assured they will be revisiting all their biggest hits with a new-found enthusiasm, ‘I have memory problems so when we play the old stuff it’s like I’m playing it for the first time. Wow, what’s that track? Venus… great song dude,’ laughs James.
Get the feeling at the Coolangatta Hotel on Saturday.
