Two great things are happening at the same time – the band’s getting back together and while they’re at it, they are raising funds for a really good cause.
Five-time ARIA award-winning Australian rock band The Cruel Sea will play their first show in ten years to headline Wild Aid 2023, a fundraiser for wildlife in association with Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Bluesfest.
The Cruel Sea will appear for an exclusive benefit gig on Saturday at The Green Room at Byron Events Farms a warmup to their recently announced national tour. The show aims to raise awareness of, and funds for, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital’s life-saving veterinary treatment and care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.
Seven caught up with Tex Perkins in the lead-up to chat about the band and wildlife.
The band’s back together! Can fans expect this to be a permanent arrangement?
We’re just enjoying what it is at the moment. I mean, we’ve committed to playing Bluesfest next year, but that’s as far as the horizon goes at the moment…
…Okay. Danny (Rumour) the heart and soul, the main sort of creative force of The Cruel Sea – he gave me a CD with demos on it, like he did in the old days. So there’s a possibility of new music. If that happens then the ball is well and truly continuing to roll, but at the moment, it’s just a celebration of the 30-year anniversary of The Honeymoon Is Over and doing a series of gigs with a focus on that moment. But, I think there’s life in the old dog yet.
Tell me what’s going to be exciting about this event for the wildlife fundraiser – are you nervous?
Well, it’s our first gig, and now that you suggest that I could be, or should be, yeah I am – I wasn’t nervous until you mentioned it!
It’s a bit of a big deal for us. But at the same time the anniversary was happening, the catalyst for this gig was funding for the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. I am an ambassador for the wildlife hospital. When they contacted me asking me to film myself to help lobby the state government for funding, well, being a musician, in my community, whenever there’s a need or an issue, then we we do a benefit concert – that’s our answer to everything.
I also want to mention how important Bluesfest has been to this project. They came on board pretty early – Peter Noble offered The Green Room as the venue and the staff have been very helpful putting it all together.
Is it a lot of pressure getting something like this up?
Well, we’re all there to support the wildlife hospital, so that’s the focus, but yes, it is the first time the crew’s been on stage together for ten years, so I’m trying to kid myself that there is no pressure.
Are you having enough fun?
Yes, I am. I’m having a lot of fun actually. Every day is fun. I’ve got a wonderful family, I have so many projects, so many stimulating things to do. I am having a lot of fun, and I’m prepared to share that fun.
Tickets are available at Moshtix: tinyurl.com/ydjr2tsf.
