Legendary Aussie rock band The Angels are set to release their 14th studio album – and their first new album in 10 years – Ninety Nine on June 28.
This record release will coincide with the commencement of their 50 Not Out national tour in celebration of their 50th anniversary which will include a show at Doyalson RSL Club on July 12.
Ninety Nine is classic Angels, from the intriguing title to the cover artwork, which depicts Angels co-founder Rick Brewster’s predilection for collecting old phone boxes.
Then there’s the songs, filled with mystery and menace and riffs that are a rallying cry to rock fans around the world.
The record rages with the energy of a new band just starting out.
“There was a lot of spontaneity with this album,” Angels guitarist and founding member John Brewster said.
“If someone had an idea, we recorded it.”
Introducing the album is the hard-hitting first single – Ninety Nine (Go For Broke), an opening salvo that’s both an instant Angels classic and a savage statement on the state of the world.
“It refers to the fact that 99 per cent of us have to accept our lot, while the one per cent take the lion’s share,” said singer Nick Norton, who wrote the song with bass player Sam Brewster.
“The super-rich are richer than they’ve ever been.”
Ian McFarlane, author of The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop, said The Angels helped redefine the Australian pub rock tradition.
And now John Brewster, Rick Brewster, Sam Brewster, Tom Brewster and Nick Norton are giving it another twist.
“I haven’t been this excited about anything we’ve done in the studio for many, many years,” John Brewster said.
“I’m proud of everything this band has done, but we have what I call ‘benchmark albums’, particularly Face to Face, No Exit, and Dark Room.
“This, to me, is a benchmark album.”
Sam Brewster said the band’s new energy could be heard on the new record.
“We got what we set out to achieve – this is The Angels 2024,” Rick Brewster said.
To celebrate the new album and following the sold-out success of The Angels – 50 Years In The Making national tour last year, the band is looking forward to embarking on the new: 50 Not Out.
“We were blown away by the reaction to last year’s shows,” John Brewster said.
“The fans have really embraced Nick Norton out front of the band and I have to say they were some of the most enjoyable shows of our career.”
“We were so energised by the reaction, we wanted to do more shows – and give the fans more,” added Rick Brewster.
When you’ve got 50 years of songs to draw on – songs ingrained in the hearts of every Australian rock fan, such as Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, Take A Long Line, No Secrets, Shadow Boxer, Marseilles, I Ain’t The One, Comin’ Down, Mr Damage, After The Rain, Night Attack, Dogs Are Talking, Let The Night Roll On, and We Gotta Get Out Of This Place – the biggest challenge is coming up with a set list.
With The Angels playing a massive set, it’s the chance to see the band dig deep into their classic catalogue and deliver some rarities and surprises.
Tickets are on sale now for their Doyalson RSL Club show on Friday, July 12 via the angels.com.au