ONE of the favourite parts of the A Day on The Green experience for The Living End boys is standing side of stage watching the great Jimmy Barnes in action.
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Chris Cheney, Andy Strachan and Scott Owen, themselves veterans of the Australian music scene having first rocked our world back in 1994, are joining Barnes on his tour marking 30th years as a solo artist.
If you throw in his Cold Chisel years, Barnes has been in our lives for four decades
"We love rock'n'roll for the same reason that he does, and it is really inspirational that he's still doing it," Strachan told The Sunday Examiner.
"We've been watching him side of stage each night, and there's just nothing left in the tank when he comes off.
"He just has that relentlessness, he just doesn't give in, and it is inspirational to be around people like that.
"We still get so nervous before each show, we start pacing around like caged animals, and Jimmy told us he still does as well.
"So even if Jimmy Barnes, after that many years on the road, still gets that way, obviously means being nervous is a good thing and the reason we get nervous is because we care and we want to do the best job that we can."
These current vineyard-hosted shows, which will include a stopover at Josef Chromy Wines on December 6, signal the first time The Living End have taken part in A Day on the Green.
It is an experience the rockers are loving.
"It's just such a relaxed atmosphere, and as a punter it just seems a really cool place to be as well," Strachan said.
"But we're not relaxed, as we are still trying to blow the roof off the place and we would definitely do it [A Day on the Green tour] again."
As well as Jimmy Barnes and The Living End, You Am I and Mahalia Barnes will also be in action at Relbia.
"Mahalia is just an incredible singer as vocally she is amazing and with You Am I, we don't cross paths with those guys much any more, so I'm really keen to see them again."
As well as playing these shows, The Living End combined with Barnes on Lay Down Your Guns on the 30:30 Hindsight album.
"It was the song that made most sense for us, as it seemed to fit with what we do best.
"To play on that album and be part of this tour has been a real badge of honour for us."
Another positive of these shows is that it has given The Living End a chance to work on album number seven now that they have all got some time together.
"We've taken the approach that without thinking about it too much as we've been guilty in the past of over-thinking things a bit too much.
"Often the first idea and the first take is the best, because it has that spontaneity and energy to it, so we're trying to create that and just smash out a record that sounds like us playing rock'n'roll."
Strachan said he hoped the album would be released by about the middle of next year.
FACT FILE
WHAT: A Day on the Green, featuring Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, You Am I and Mahalia Barnes.
WHERE: Josef Chromy Wines, Relbia.
WHEN: Saturday, December 6.
TICKETS: Available from ticketmaster.com.au and Ticketmaster outlets.
HOW MUCH: Gold $149.90, silver $129.90 and general $105. For concert and dining packages call Ticketmaster 1300 889 278 or Josef Chromy Wines 6335 8700.
