When you think of 1927

Rock ruled, hip-hop was very much still a subcultural American music genre and electronica was only in its infancy.

Australian bands and artists such as Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes, Crowded House, Choirboys, James Reyne, Noiseworks and Screaming Jets dominated the ARIA charts.

Then in 1987, along came a Melbourne band with a year for a name – 1927.

In the space of just a year, James Barton, brothers Bill and Garry Frost and vocalist Eric Weideman would become household names, boasting a five-time platinum debut album and a score of hit singles.

Their all-triumphant “… ISH” will go down in Australian music history as one of the best selling debut albums of all time.

The first single off the album, That’s When I Think of You, went on to reach number-six on the ARIA singles charts, followed by the hits If I Could, You’ll Never Know and Compulsory Hero.

It was certainly a meteoric rise, complete with a swathe of awards and a national tour, including one night in Launceston.

Speaking from his home in Western Australia last week, Weideman said he was still amazed at the public’s reaction to the band’s first album.

“I don’t really have pride as such, more astonishment,” Weideman said. “It has taken a long time to come to grips with what this band has actually achieved. It’s a fairly huge achievement for sure.

“I think 1927 will be a part of Australian music history forever, which is crazy. But more than anything, I’m more astonished that was part of my life.”

A lot has changed for Weideman and the band since those formative years.

In 1993, the band went their separate ways. Weideman continued to perform as a solo artist, although the band did re-form – temporarily – on several occasions for specific gigs and events.

Then in 2009, Weideman finally reformed the band with Damien Cooper on drums, Craig Laird on guitar and Simon Shapiro on bass and they took to the road for a national tour, which again included Tasmania in late 2009.

“The first 1927 experience I wouldn’t put down as a great experience,” Weideman said.

“A lot of it I wasn’t prepared for in terms of the magnitude of success and understanding how the machine works. And just how little control you have when it’s that big.

“This time around I wanted to enjoy it more and I have to say it’s the best it’s ever been.”

Fast forward seven years and that same line-up will guest star in a double bill with Aussie pop-rockers Pseudo Echo on an East Coast tour that includes one night at Launceston’s Country Club on Friday, August 19.

“The last time 1927 toured Tasmania was in 2009, so it’s good to be coming back to Tassie – it’s been a while,” Weideman said.

Touring with another band isn’t exactly new to Weideman and his band-mates – they have been touring on and off with Pseudo Echo for several months and as part of a much larger group for some time.

“It’s been good,” Weideman said of his time on the road with Pseudo Echo.

“We thought it would be nice to do a double bill and tour around a bit. The response from audiences has been very good.”

Interestingly, playing alongside Pseudo Echo brought back some wonderful memories for Weideman.

“Pseudo Echo was one of the first bands I went to see when I was old enough,” he said.

 “We’ve done a number of gigs with them but that first time around was definitely very surreal. I mean, here’s a band I went to see when I was just 18 and here we are now sharing a stage together.

“And they’re on fire ... They sound better than ever.”

So when touring with another group, does it affect the relationship – being together so much?

“Not really,” Weideman confessed.

“It’s no different really. Obviously you just do your own thing. There’s just a few more people backstage but it’s always good to work with other people.”

Having been around for almost 30 years, Weideman has noticed a great deal of change in the Australian music industry.

“It’s massively different now, really,” he said.

“Back in those days, the best you could get in terms of a TV talent show was Bert Newton’s New Face.

“Now with Australian Idol, The Voice and shows that like – I dunno whether it’s been good or bad really … slightly detrimental I guess. It makes artists look like a product of a machine, as opposed to people with genuine talent.

“People can be taken from anywhere and turned into a pop star.

“But it’s definitely a different scene – a lot less venues to play these days, a lot of restrictions in terms of noise and air travel is a complete pain in the arse. It’s a different world now.”

One thing that hasn’t changed – thankfully – is the fans.

“Surprisingly, we have a whole new phase of fans,” he said.

“Some come to a gig and say their parents told them they should see this band because they loved them in the 80s.

“They quickly become converted.

“Most people are surprised, most comment that it’s not what they expected and they’re pleasantly surprised and that’s a great thing.

“It’s great to see 20 and 30-year-old people coming to the gig and getting off on it.”