Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musician
Fifty years after they first plugged in, The Angels continue to electrify Australian music with an undeniable energy that spans generations. Bass player Sam Brewster—son of founding member John—takes us deep into the band's remarkable evolution and enduring legacy.
The Brewster musical DNA runs deeper than most realize. Sam reveals how his family's artistic roots stretch back to his great-grandfather who performed in the first Australian Symphony Orchestra, his grandfather who conducted for the ABC, and now continues through a third generation with Sam on bass and brother Tom recently joining on drums. This musical heritage creates a powerful through-line in The Angels' sound—authentic rock that honors tradition while embracing fresh creative directions.
Sam offers fascinating insights into the band's current chapter, including their lineup changes, with drummer Nick Norton stepping into the frontman role and the release of their latest album "Ninety Nine." He shares the technical challenges of balancing parenthood with rock stardom, the complex process of modernizing their stage technology, and his personal musical inspirations ranging from Jeff Buckley to AC/DC. The conversation weaves through five decades of Angels history, from their humble beginnings as the Moonshine Jug and String Band to becoming one of Australia's most influential rock acts—a band Axl Rose credits as a primary inspiration for forming Guns N' Roses.
The Angels' Go For Broke tour represents everything this iconic band stands for—honoring their classic hits while showcasing new material that proves their creative fire burns as bright as ever. With 13 studio albums, 8 top 10 albums, and 17 top 40 singles behind them, The Angels remain a vital force in Australian music.
Experience their electrifying live show in a city near you and witness firsthand why Jimmy Barnes called them "a band that changed Australian music forever."
Follow The Angels at theangels.com.au and catch their nationwide tour to hear Sam's picks from the new album—"Heartbeats" and "Little Lies"—alongside the classics that shaped Australian rock.
Go For Broke tour tickets here: https://theangels.com.au/
What Sam Brewster from The Angels been up to lately? Let's find out!
Get out when you can, support local music and I'll see you down the front!!
Visit: ThatRadioChick.com.au
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Cheryl Lee (00:00):
That Radio Chick Cheryl Lee here.
Welcome to the Still Rockin' itpodcast where we'll have music
news, reviews and interviewswith some of our favourite
Australian musicians and artists.
Today we celebrate a band whohas 13 studio albums, 8 top 10
albums, 17 top 40 singles.
(00:20):
But that's only part of thisband's story.
The Angels and its relationshipwith the audience, built by
thousands of gigs, meanseverything to the band An
exhilarating exchange of energy.
As founding member RickBrewster says, the hour and a
half on stage is what makes itall worthwhile.
This is it Folks Over the Topremains an irresistible rallying
(00:46):
cry to rock and roll, Even with50 years behind them.
There's an exciting new chapterin the Angels story a new album
released last year, a new tourgoing on.
As we speak we're going to chatto one of the young Brewster
brothers, son of John, SamBrewster.
To catch up on podcasts fromother favourite artists, simply
(01:09):
go to thatradiochickcomau.
Sam Brewster (01:12):
Yo, it's Cheryl Lee that Radio Chick and I'd
like to welcome back into theZoom room today part of the
Brewster legacy, Sam Brewster.
Thank you.
Thanks for having me, yeah.
Cheryl Lee (01:23):
Bass player for the Angels.
We've got some exciting stuffto talk about.
There's a tour going on andyou're coming to the legendary
Bridgeway.
Just wanted to go back a tinylittle bit before we go forward,
and I know we've spoken a fewtimes, but I was thinking what
can I ask, Sam, that I haven'tasked before?
I just wanted to quickly touchon your family legacy, because
(01:47):
it isn't just dad John and uncleRick Brewster that founded the
angels.
Your South Australian musicalhistory goes back even further,
doesn't it?
Sam Brewster (01:57):
Yeah, it goes back to my great grandfather who was
in the first ASO, the veryfirst one on yeah, he was on
piano, I think and then mygrandfather dad's old man who
was the conductor and thedirector of music for the ABC.
Cheryl Lee (02:13):
Yeah, there is definitely music in your DNA.
It's in your genes.
It goes back a long way in ourstate, not just your dad and
your uncle One set of Brewsterbrothers You've joined, and one
of your brothers has joined theAngels as well.
Sam Brewster (02:30):
Yeah, yeah, Tom's on the drums now, so going.
Well, yeah, I don't know how hefits it all in, because he's
also got a real job, you know,has he.
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (02:40):
After 12 years, with Dave Gleeson up front, he's
left and you brought yourdrummer, nick Norton, who was 12
years on the drums, back thereforward as your lead singer.
Is that two years now?
Sam Brewster (02:54):
Yeah, it's about two years, yeah.
Cheryl Lee (02:57):
Yeah, just over two years.
Sam Brewster (02:59):
Yep.
Cheryl Lee (02:59):
You needed a new drummer, yeah, so you just kept
it in the family.
Sam Brewster (03:03):
Yeah, well, I mean , yeah, it sort of caught me by
surprise actually that Tom wasable to do it.
I didn't think he was and myold man said, no, Tom's put his
hand up for it, he's able to doit.
He's able to make his work.
You know, make the band workaround his job.
Cheryl Lee (03:18):
So yeah, You've got another brother.
Sam Brewster (03:20):
Yeah, harry, what's Harry?
Cheryl Lee (03:22):
going to do in the band.
Sam Brewster (03:24):
Well, I mean, yeah , who knows?
But Harry's pretty busy at hisschool.
He's a music teacher, highschool music teacher, yeah.
So you know it's a prettydemanding job.
He's just doing a musical atthe moment, actually.
Cheryl Lee (03:38):
What instruments does he play?
Sam Brewster (03:39):
just for future reference.
Cheryl Lee (03:41):
He plays guitar, yeah, he could fill in for your
dad or your uncle.
Sam Brewster (03:45):
He could and he has.
Cheryl Lee (03:46):
Well, that's good to see that you've kept the family
lines going, and last time wespoke had your little one just
started to show some promisewith music.
Sam Brewster (03:56):
Yeah, he's not.
Well, I've got two little onesand one of them is very much
into gardening and that kind ofthing and not overly into music
yet Then the littlest one seemsto actually be more interested
in.
You know, I take him to thingslike I call it singing babies I
don't even know what it's reallycalled, but one of those things
(04:18):
at the local library where wesing nursery rhymes and he loves
that.
He's just over one and, yeah,anytime something comes on that
he likes, he dances and yeah.
Cheryl Lee (04:28):
Oh Well, you said that your other brother was a
music teacher and was doing amusical.
You taught at my son's highschool and actually taught him
for a short time.
They did Aladdin at AdelaideHigh last month.
Oh, okay, as their musical thisyear.
Sam Brewster (04:44):
He's not still at school, though, is he no?
Cheryl Lee (04:46):
No, no, but number five is Charlie.
Oh, okay, right, right, guesswho played Aladdin.
Sam Brewster (04:51):
Who?
Oh Charlie, oh, really, yeahOkay.
Cheryl Lee (04:55):
The lead in a musical.
Sam Brewster (04:56):
Oh, wow.
Cheryl Lee (04:57):
I can't believe that that child came out of me.
Yeah, he's talented.
Sam Brewster (05:02):
Yeah, right, awesome.
Yeah, I haven't done teachingfor a while, yeah.
Cheryl Lee (05:06):
So you're busy doing bass playing but also tour
managing of the band.
Sam Brewster (05:11):
Yeah, yep that, and then also parenting.
Cheryl Lee (05:14):
Well, that's the most important job.
Sam Brewster (05:17):
Yeah, yeah, I don't get much time to do
anything else than, yeah,parenting the angels tour,
managing Yep.
Cheryl Lee (05:24):
And you try and get a bit of sleep in there.
Sam Brewster (05:26):
A bit of sleep, a lot of gym.
Cheryl Lee (05:29):
When I rest for the weekend.
You must have been pretty bad.
Sam Brewster (05:32):
Yeah, probably, I don't know.
I'm pretty good these days.
Cheryl Lee (05:35):
We haven't got time not to be, have you?
Sam Brewster (05:38):
Yeah, that's right you are listening to Still
Rocking it of the Angels cannotbe denied.
Cheryl Lee (05:51):
In 1970, the Moonshine Jug and String Band
starts in Adelaide with brothersJohn and Rick Brewster.
In 71, they play my Pongaalongside Black Sabbath, daddy
Cool and Fraternity, and BernardDoc Neeson joins them.
In 74 they go electric, becomethe Keystone Angels, their first
(06:18):
gig at the Modbury Hotel inAdelaide and that year they
support Cheech and Chong atFebby Theatre.
1975 they perform at Sunburytour as Chuck Berry's backing
band, support ACDC, play with ICan Tuna Turner and release this
single Keep On Dancing, writtenby Brewster, neeson and
Brewster.
I think this is the oldestAngels track that I can find.
(06:40):
Then we're back to speak aboutthe newest music, a massive 55
years after this single with oneof the next generation of
Brewster Brothers, bass playerSam.
We've got the Go For Broke tourand you are coming to Adelaide
(07:08):
at the Bridgeway in Paraka onthe 2nd of August, so I'll see
you down the front then Awesome,You're only everywhere man Get
onto theangelscomau to see whenyou're heading to their town.
Sam Brewster (07:20):
Yeah, absolutely yeah.
We kick off next week inMelbourne, so we've got Torquay
and the Corner in Richmond.
Yeah, then we go to WA, sydneyand then Brisbane, finish up in
Adelaide.
Cheryl Lee (07:31):
You saved the best till last.
Sam Brewster (07:34):
That's right.
Cheryl Lee (07:34):
You had your 50th anniversary last year.
Go For Broke is aboutcelebrating the band's past,
present and future.
Sam Brewster (07:44):
Yeah, well, we haven't got any new songs beyond
um 99, you know, but I guess alot of people won't have heard
those.
I mean, that came out last year.
So yeah, we're still reallyexcited to play those songs.
They still feel new, still feelreally fresh.
Cheryl Lee (07:58):
So yeah, the title track of the album is 99, and
did you write that with nick?
Sam Brewster (08:04):
yeah, so it's my music's, Nick's lyrics, and it's
my guitar playing as well,except for the solo, yeah,
Rick's, solo.
Everything else is basically meon guitar and bass, and yeah
congratulations on the album andthe new go for broke tour.
Cheryl Lee (08:21):
Your pr sent me your bio this morning.
It's 17 pages.
Oh yeah, the Angels has got apretty full-on hectic history,
hasn't it?
From way back in 1970, whenJohn and Rick started with the
Moonshine Jug and String Band,you've really become part of the
(08:41):
Australian music landscape.
We all grew up listening toyour music of the Australian
music landscape.
We all grew up listening toyour music From where you sit,
sam, do you realise howimportant your family is to
South Australia and Australianmusic?
Sam Brewster (08:54):
Yeah, I guess you know, because I'm in it I don't
really spend much time thinkingabout that aspect of it.
But yeah, it's nice to knowthat.
You know that some people holdus in that kind of regard.
Yeah, but yeah, I mean, most ofthe time we're just sort of
getting on with.
You know the nuts and bolts ofthings and planning the next
tour and you know writing thenext song or whatever.
Cheryl Lee (09:14):
Yeah, Head down, bum up.
Sam Brewster (09:16):
Pretty much.
Yeah, there's not too much timefor a reflection.
Cheryl Lee (09:19):
Not yet.
Sam Brewster (09:20):
No.
Cheryl Lee (09:26):
We've talked in the past at length and in depth
about all sorts of things.
Yeah, but are you game to have?
Sam Brewster (09:30):
some quickfire questions with me, sure.
Cheryl Lee (09:31):
Okay, favourite song of all time.
Sam Brewster (09:32):
Oh, putting me on the spot now.
I don't know, that's a reallyhard question.
I reckon maybe Grace by JeffBuckley yeah, that's pretty
perfect that song.
So many ups and downs andtwists and turns and things, and
then it just keeps building andkeeps getting more epic and by
the end it's just, yeah, thewhole album is just brilliant
(09:53):
and it's just the last album hemade.
And then he drowned in a river,went swimming one day and yeah,
that was it.
You know he wasn't drunk oranything, I don't think.
Cheryl Lee (10:00):
I think he just went in fully clothed, just went for
a swim and, yeah, very sadfavorite album of all time yeah,
I have that one too toughquestions we can come back to
that one, if you like, favoritelive band you've seen favorite
live band would be okay, I'llgive you my favorite or the most
(10:22):
amazing show I've seen.
Sam Brewster (10:24):
That was unexpected.
Was my sugar in in Sweden atone in the morning?
Yeah, and it was still kind oflight over there because it was
in the middle of summer so thesun never really quite sets, but
yeah, it was sort of likedusk-ish and yeah, they're like
a Swedish, you know death metalband.
Yeah, went out and watched themthe night before we played at
(10:45):
one in the morning and, yeah,pretty amazing, awesome.
Cheryl Lee (10:48):
Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick,
cheryl Lee.
We're going to have SamBrewster's favourite song of all
time now, grace by Jeff Buckleyfrom the Grace album.
And then we're back to finishup our quickfire questions with
Sam Brewster from the Angelsgoing for broke and coming to a
town near you soon.
Most influential artists onyour career other than the
(11:21):
obvious dad and uncle.
Sam Brewster (11:24):
It's another hard one.
There's so many, so many whenyou narrow it down to one.
Cheryl Lee (11:29):
What about just the first three that you think of
that have been influential onyour career?
Sam Brewster (11:34):
Yeah, okay, probably ACDC or definitely ACDC
as one.
I mean, you know and a lot ofwhat they do on stage and on
their records, yeah, I'd have tosay, metallica when I was
growing up was a big part of youknow how I learnt to play
guitar, and then probably JimiHendrix as well.
Yeah, I'd say those three.
Cheryl Lee (11:56):
I think they influenced a lot of well, I was
going to say Australian artists,but I think artists all over
the world.
Sam Brewster (12:02):
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (12:02):
Did you get your ACDC tickets this morning?
Sam Brewster (12:05):
No, I haven't.
I actually forgot they went onsale today.
Are they already sold out?
Cheryl Lee (12:10):
I haven't heard yet that they're sold out.
I had constant anxiety sittingat my computer.
Very, very stressful.
Sam Brewster (12:18):
I was very happy to get mine, yeah, right, yeah,
back in the day, you used tohave to sleep out for those sort
of things.
Exactly I've done that a coupleof times, but yeah, hopefully
I'll get to see them again.
Cheryl Lee (12:27):
Did you see them last time they were here?
Sam Brewster (12:29):
Not the last time I saw them.
The last one was on the StiffUpper Lip Tour back a little
while now.
Cheryl Lee (12:34):
It doesn't seem like that long ago, but I think that
was about 2012, maybe thiscould very well be the last time
I would say it would be yeah, Ihope you get tickets and if you
do, I'll see you down the frontbecause I've got the ones in
the mosh.
Sam Brewster (12:48):
Oh, you have Awesome, Of course you do Now
alive or dead.
Cheryl Lee (12:52):
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Oh, Jimi Hendrix.
Would he be up?
Sam Brewster (12:58):
there?
Yeah, he would be, but I don'tknow if he'd be as much of a
collaborator.
As you know, he's definitely aband leader and you know, yeah,
Hmm, Maybe Pat Metheny.
I reckon that'd be reallyinteresting.
I mean, he's a bit the same.
Like you know, he's got thiswhole.
He's got this record where he'sgot this room full of
(13:19):
instruments and he's controllingthem all with his guitar and
solenoids and makes a wholerecord just like that, Just
programs everything just fromhis guitar, and yeah, I think
that'd be really interesting.
Cheryl Lee (13:29):
Have you received a piece of advice that has been
invaluable to you.
Sam Brewster (13:35):
It can be from one of your family members.
These are hard questions.
They're very hard questions.
Yeah, yeah, I'd need to thinkabout that.
Cheryl Lee (13:43):
Yeah, all right.
One of the most challengingmoments in your career so far?
There's probably been too many,has?
Sam Brewster (13:51):
there?
No, not really.
Look, I mean, yeah, I can'tthink of anything that's, you
know, been.
Oh, I mean, everything'sdifficult to a degree, but
what's the most challenging?
I'll give you a recent onegetting our new monitor system
working last year.
Technology, Technology, yeah,yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's
(14:11):
probably been some of thoseshows.
Last year we did with MySex andwe invested in a new monitor
system for our ears.
I don't know if you've noticedwe wear these things on stage.
Yeah, and just getting thatironing out all the kinks in
that week to week and kind oflike, you know, staying up at
night, you know, getting off theplane and going straight back
(14:33):
into it trying to work out.
Cheryl Lee (14:35):
Yeah, because the show must go on right.
Sam Brewster (14:37):
Yeah, and you know it took quite a while and it
was much harder than I thoughtit would be.
We're also helping the otherbands out by running them
through it as well.
It was Dwight, our tech, and I.
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (14:49):
Well done, I think.
I know another one probablyBalancing Fatherhood and
Rockstardom.
Sam Brewster (14:56):
Yeah, well, actually that's not as tricky
because you know, luckily I'vegot a really good wife who's
very supportive of it all.
Cheryl Lee (15:03):
Behind every successful man is a good woman.
Sam Brewster (15:06):
Absolutely yeah.
Cheryl Lee (15:07):
Last one, an angel's song that you wish people heard
more.
I won't say the word underrated.
An angel's song that you wishwas out there and more popular,
more listened to.
Sam Brewster (15:20):
Well, I'd have to say some of the new stuff you
know, because every band wishesthat right, every classic band
whose hits the radio only playthe old hits.
You want them to play the newones.
So I'd say probably, maybe offthe new album, probably
Heartbeats actually that's oneof my favourites, heartbeats or
(15:40):
Little Lies.
Yeah, little Lies is probablymy favourite on the record, but
I think Heartbeats wouldprobably have a wider appeal.
You are listening to StillRocking it, the podcast with
Cheryl Lee.
Cheryl Lee (15:55):
Let's have both of those songs, shall we?
Why stop at one?
From the 99 album, first upHeartbeats, followed by Little
Lies, and then we're back to saygoodbye to bass guitarist, tour
manager and the technical go-toguy, sam Brewster.
Sam Brewster (16:17):
It's a feeble compromise, as we all swallow
smiles Staggering, wearydinosaur Fear of the burned out
industry Knocking back drinks atlunch.
Cheryl Lee (16:35):
Was there anything else that you specifically
wanted to mention, Sam I?
Sam Brewster (16:39):
don't think so.
No, I think you've grilled meon some tough questions.
Cheryl Lee (16:44):
Sorry about that.
Sam Brewster (16:46):
No, no, it's all good Kicking me on the toes.
Cheryl Lee (16:48):
We talked at the beginning about being such an
integral part of the Australianmusic landscape.
I just read recently that.
Jimmy Barnes.
So another South Australiansaid of the Angels they're a
band that changed Australianmusic forever.
Now that's a bit of acompliment.
Sam Brewster (17:09):
Yeah, absolutely.
Cheryl Lee (17:10):
Because that's what you want to do, I would imagine,
as an artist, as a band.
Sam Brewster (17:15):
Yeah, well, I mean certainly back then.
You know, I think it'sdefinitely harder to do now.
There's just so many bands outthere, but yeah, the band of
that time with Doc and yeah, itwas pretty exciting.
I mean, I think it's timeless.
You know, still watch some ofthat footage now, like Narara
and things like that.
Cheryl Lee (17:33):
Oh, absolutely, I just watched that, held my
breath as he climbed up thestacks, even though I knew he
didn't fall down.
You're still like, oh yeah, theAngels didn't just influence
Australian bands.
Found another quote from AxlRose.
One of the main reasons thisband so Guns N' Roses got
(17:54):
together was a song called Takea Long Line Right.
Did you know that?
Sam Brewster (17:59):
I did.
I've read that somewhere before.
Yeah, I mean, I know, axl, youknow, sometimes you know that I
did.
I've read that somewhere before.
Yeah, I mean, I know, axl, youknow, sometimes you know they do
Marseille at a soundcheck orwhatever he's done it in.
You know Guns N' Rosespre-slash and Duff when they had
that, you know, and they brokeup for a while.
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (18:13):
That just goes to show that the Brewster family,
band or the.
Angels has made its mark On notjust South Australian music,
not just Australian music, butthe worldwide music landscape.
Sam Brewster (18:26):
So thank you for doing that and thank you for all
the music, and all the musicthat is yet to come.
Well, you're welcome, I guess.
I mean, I don't know if I cantake any credit for that, like
I'm kind of a ring in on thatone, but you know, I still sort
of think of myself as quite anew member.
Cheryl Lee (18:40):
You and your brother and even Nick, are part of the
reason we can still go out, goto the Go For Broke tour and see
you guys still play all ourfavourite songs.
Live, get to experience the new.
Sam Brewster (18:53):
Angels music as well, If it wasn't for you that
might not be happening, sothanks again.
Thank you yeah.
Cheryl Lee (19:00):
Look forward to seeing you at the Bridgeway.
Sam Brewster (19:03):
Yeah, that should be a good one.
Hopefully.
It's been a while since we'vedone that one.
Cheryl Lee (19:09):
Well, it's good that the Bridgeway is playing live
music again.
Sam Brewster (19:11):
Yeah, have you been to Hindley Street Music
Hall?
Yeah, yeah, I was there acouple of weeks ago.
That's a great venue.
I'd love to do that one again.
Cheryl Lee (19:18):
It is.
It's a great venue that oneagain.
Sam Brewster (19:21):
It is.
It's a great venue.
Yeah, I saw Snarky Puppy therea couple of weeks ago.
I don't know if you know them.
Yeah, great band.
Yeah, no vocals.
It's just kind of jazz fusion,you know, rock jazz sort of
thing.
It's cool yeah.
Cheryl Lee (19:32):
Snarky.
Sam Brewster (19:33):
Puppy, check it out.
Cheryl Lee (19:34):
Alright.
Well, you have a good rest ofyour day, Sam, and thank you for
spending a bit of time with usonce again in the Zoom room.
All the best, thanks for havingme Go for broke tour Rock,
everybody's socks off.
Sam Brewster (19:47):
Cheers and go.
The power Power's playingtonight.
You're not a Crows girl, areyou?
Cheryl Lee (19:53):
No, I am Richmond.
Oh, are you?
Sam Brewster (19:57):
I don't want to talk about footy at all.
Fair enough.
Yeah, okay, yeah, fair enough.
Yeah, the dogs kind of cleanedthem up last week too, right?
Cheryl Lee (20:05):
It's been terrible, but you know it's a rebuilding
phase.
Sam Brewster (20:09):
Yep, yep, I think Port the same.
Cheryl Lee (20:12):
Good luck.
I hope you do win, cheers.
Sam Brewster (20:14):
Bye for now.
Thanks, Cheryl.
Bye.
Cheryl Lee (20:17):
Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick,
cheryl Lee, the Angels'domination of Australian music
continues.
Get on to theangelscomau.
They're touring Australia inJuly and August.
See when they're coming yourway.
And we are going to go out with, of course, no prizes for
guessing 99.
Go For Broke, the title trackfrom last year's album.
(20:39):
You're with Cheryl Lee, thatradio chick.
Thank you so much for joiningme on the Still Rocking it
podcast.
Hope to catch you again nexttime.
Get out when you can supportAussie music and I'll see you
down the front.
That Radio Chick Cheryl Lee here.
Welcome to the Still Rockin' itpodcast where we'll have music
news, reviews and interviewswith some of our favourite
Australian musicians and artists.
Today we celebrate a band whohas 13 studio albums, 8 top 10
albums, 17 top 40 singles.
(00:20):
But that's only part of thisband's story.
The Angels and its relationshipwith the audience, built by
thousands of gigs, meanseverything to the band An
exhilarating exchange of energy.
As founding member RickBrewster says, the hour and a
half on stage is what makes itall worthwhile.
This is it Folks Over the Topremains an irresistible rallying
(00:46):
cry to rock and roll, Even with50 years behind them.
There's an exciting new chapterin the Angels story a new album
released last year, a new tourgoing on.
As we speak we're going to chatto one of the young Brewster
brothers, son of John, SamBrewster.
To catch up on podcasts fromother favourite artists, simply
(01:09):
go to thatradiochickcomau.
Sam Brewster (01:12):
Yo, it's Cheryl Lee that Radio Chick and I'd
like to welcome back into theZoom room today part of the
Brewster legacy, Sam Brewster.
Thank you.
Thanks for having me, yeah.
Cheryl Lee (01:23):
Bass player for the Angels.
We've got some exciting stuffto talk about.
There's a tour going on andyou're coming to the legendary
Bridgeway.
Just wanted to go back a tinylittle bit before we go forward,
and I know we've spoken a fewtimes, but I was thinking what
can I ask, Sam, that I haven'tasked before?
I just wanted to quickly touchon your family legacy, because
(01:47):
it isn't just dad John and uncleRick Brewster that founded the
angels.
Your South Australian musicalhistory goes back even further,
doesn't it?
Sam Brewster (01:57):
Yeah, it goes back to my great grandfather who was
in the first ASO, the veryfirst one on yeah, he was on
piano, I think and then mygrandfather dad's old man who
was the conductor and thedirector of music for the ABC.
Cheryl Lee (02:13):
Yeah, there is definitely music in your DNA.
It's in your genes.
It goes back a long way in ourstate, not just your dad and
your uncle One set of Brewsterbrothers You've joined, and one
of your brothers has joined theAngels as well.
Sam Brewster (02:30):
Yeah, yeah, Tom's on the drums now, so going.
Well, yeah, I don't know how hefits it all in, because he's
also got a real job, you know,has he.
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (02:40):
After 12 years, with Dave Gleeson up front, he's
left and you brought yourdrummer, nick Norton, who was 12
years on the drums, back thereforward as your lead singer.
Is that two years now?
Sam Brewster (02:54):
Yeah, it's about two years, yeah.
Cheryl Lee (02:57):
Yeah, just over two years.
Sam Brewster (02:59):
Yep.
Cheryl Lee (02:59):
You needed a new drummer, yeah, so you just kept
it in the family.
Sam Brewster (03:03):
Yeah, well, I mean , yeah, it sort of caught me by
surprise actually that Tom wasable to do it.
I didn't think he was and myold man said, no, Tom's put his
hand up for it, he's able to doit.
He's able to make his work.
You know, make the band workaround his job.
Cheryl Lee (03:18):
So yeah, You've got another brother.
Sam Brewster (03:20):
Yeah, harry, what's Harry?
Cheryl Lee (03:22):
going to do in the band.
Sam Brewster (03:24):
Well, I mean, yeah , who knows?
But Harry's pretty busy at hisschool.
He's a music teacher, highschool music teacher, yeah.
So you know it's a prettydemanding job.
He's just doing a musical atthe moment, actually.
Cheryl Lee (03:38):
What instruments does he play?
Sam Brewster (03:39):
just for future reference.
Cheryl Lee (03:41):
He plays guitar, yeah, he could fill in for your
dad or your uncle.
Sam Brewster (03:45):
He could and he has.
Cheryl Lee (03:46):
Well, that's good to see that you've kept the family
lines going, and last time wespoke had your little one just
started to show some promisewith music.
Sam Brewster (03:56):
Yeah, he's not.
Well, I've got two little onesand one of them is very much
into gardening and that kind ofthing and not overly into music
yet Then the littlest one seemsto actually be more interested
in.
You know, I take him to thingslike I call it singing babies I
don't even know what it's reallycalled, but one of those things
(04:18):
at the local library where wesing nursery rhymes and he loves
that.
He's just over one and, yeah,anytime something comes on that
he likes, he dances and yeah.
Cheryl Lee (04:28):
Oh Well, you said that your other brother was a
music teacher and was doing amusical.
You taught at my son's highschool and actually taught him
for a short time.
They did Aladdin at AdelaideHigh last month.
Oh, okay, as their musical thisyear.
Sam Brewster (04:44):
He's not still at school, though, is he no?
Cheryl Lee (04:46):
No, no, but number five is Charlie.
Oh, okay, right, right, guesswho played Aladdin.
Sam Brewster (04:51):
Who?
Oh Charlie, oh, really, yeahOkay.
Cheryl Lee (04:55):
The lead in a musical.
Sam Brewster (04:56):
Oh, wow.
Cheryl Lee (04:57):
I can't believe that that child came out of me.
Yeah, he's talented.
Sam Brewster (05:02):
Yeah, right, awesome.
Yeah, I haven't done teachingfor a while, yeah.
Cheryl Lee (05:06):
So you're busy doing bass playing but also tour
managing of the band.
Sam Brewster (05:11):
Yeah, yep that, and then also parenting.
Cheryl Lee (05:14):
Well, that's the most important job.
Sam Brewster (05:17):
Yeah, yeah, I don't get much time to do
anything else than, yeah,parenting the angels tour,
managing Yep.
Cheryl Lee (05:24):
And you try and get a bit of sleep in there.
Sam Brewster (05:26):
A bit of sleep, a lot of gym.
Cheryl Lee (05:29):
When I rest for the weekend.
You must have been pretty bad.
Sam Brewster (05:32):
Yeah, probably, I don't know.
I'm pretty good these days.
Cheryl Lee (05:35):
We haven't got time not to be, have you?
Sam Brewster (05:38):
Yeah, that's right you are listening to Still
Rocking it of the Angels cannotbe denied.
Cheryl Lee (05:51):
In 1970, the Moonshine Jug and String Band
starts in Adelaide with brothersJohn and Rick Brewster.
In 71, they play my Pongaalongside Black Sabbath, daddy
Cool and Fraternity, and BernardDoc Neeson joins them.
In 74 they go electric, becomethe Keystone Angels, their first
(06:18):
gig at the Modbury Hotel inAdelaide and that year they
support Cheech and Chong atFebby Theatre.
1975 they perform at Sunburytour as Chuck Berry's backing
band, support ACDC, play with ICan Tuna Turner and release this
single Keep On Dancing, writtenby Brewster, neeson and
Brewster.
I think this is the oldestAngels track that I can find.
(06:40):
Then we're back to speak aboutthe newest music, a massive 55
years after this single with oneof the next generation of
Brewster Brothers, bass playerSam.
We've got the Go For Broke tourand you are coming to Adelaide
(07:08):
at the Bridgeway in Paraka onthe 2nd of August, so I'll see
you down the front then Awesome,You're only everywhere man Get
onto theangelscomau to see whenyou're heading to their town.
Sam Brewster (07:20):
Yeah, absolutely yeah.
We kick off next week inMelbourne, so we've got Torquay
and the Corner in Richmond.
Yeah, then we go to WA, sydneyand then Brisbane, finish up in
Adelaide.
Cheryl Lee (07:31):
You saved the best till last.
Sam Brewster (07:34):
That's right.
Cheryl Lee (07:34):
You had your 50th anniversary last year.
Go For Broke is aboutcelebrating the band's past,
present and future.
Sam Brewster (07:44):
Yeah, well, we haven't got any new songs beyond
um 99, you know, but I guess alot of people won't have heard
those.
I mean, that came out last year.
So yeah, we're still reallyexcited to play those songs.
They still feel new, still feelreally fresh.
Cheryl Lee (07:58):
So yeah, the title track of the album is 99, and
did you write that with nick?
Sam Brewster (08:04):
yeah, so it's my music's, Nick's lyrics, and it's
my guitar playing as well,except for the solo, yeah,
Rick's, solo.
Everything else is basically meon guitar and bass, and yeah
congratulations on the album andthe new go for broke tour.
Cheryl Lee (08:21):
Your pr sent me your bio this morning.
It's 17 pages.
Oh yeah, the Angels has got apretty full-on hectic history,
hasn't it?
From way back in 1970, whenJohn and Rick started with the
Moonshine Jug and String Band,you've really become part of the
(08:41):
Australian music landscape.
We all grew up listening toyour music of the Australian
music landscape.
We all grew up listening toyour music From where you sit,
sam, do you realise howimportant your family is to
South Australia and Australianmusic?
Sam Brewster (08:54):
Yeah, I guess you know, because I'm in it I don't
really spend much time thinkingabout that aspect of it.
But yeah, it's nice to knowthat.
You know that some people holdus in that kind of regard.
Yeah, but yeah, I mean, most ofthe time we're just sort of
getting on with.
You know the nuts and bolts ofthings and planning the next
tour and you know writing thenext song or whatever.
Cheryl Lee (09:14):
Yeah, Head down, bum up.
Sam Brewster (09:16):
Pretty much.
Yeah, there's not too much timefor a reflection.
Cheryl Lee (09:19):
Not yet.
Sam Brewster (09:20):
No.
Cheryl Lee (09:26):
We've talked in the past at length and in depth
about all sorts of things.
Yeah, but are you game to have?
Sam Brewster (09:30):
some quickfire questions with me, sure.
Cheryl Lee (09:31):
Okay, favourite song of all time.
Sam Brewster (09:32):
Oh, putting me on the spot now.
I don't know, that's a reallyhard question.
I reckon maybe Grace by JeffBuckley yeah, that's pretty
perfect that song.
So many ups and downs andtwists and turns and things, and
then it just keeps building andkeeps getting more epic and by
the end it's just, yeah, thewhole album is just brilliant
(09:53):
and it's just the last album hemade.
And then he drowned in a river,went swimming one day and yeah,
that was it.
You know he wasn't drunk oranything, I don't think.
Cheryl Lee (10:00):
I think he just went in fully clothed, just went for
a swim and, yeah, very sadfavorite album of all time yeah,
I have that one too toughquestions we can come back to
that one, if you like, favoritelive band you've seen favorite
live band would be okay, I'llgive you my favorite or the most
(10:22):
amazing show I've seen.
Sam Brewster (10:24):
That was unexpected.
Was my sugar in in Sweden atone in the morning?
Yeah, and it was still kind oflight over there because it was
in the middle of summer so thesun never really quite sets, but
yeah, it was sort of likedusk-ish and yeah, they're like
a Swedish, you know death metalband.
Yeah, went out and watched themthe night before we played at
(10:45):
one in the morning and, yeah,pretty amazing, awesome.
Cheryl Lee (10:48):
Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick,
cheryl Lee.
We're going to have SamBrewster's favourite song of all
time now, grace by Jeff Buckleyfrom the Grace album.
And then we're back to finishup our quickfire questions with
Sam Brewster from the Angelsgoing for broke and coming to a
town near you soon.
Most influential artists onyour career other than the
(11:21):
obvious dad and uncle.
Sam Brewster (11:24):
It's another hard one.
There's so many, so many whenyou narrow it down to one.
Cheryl Lee (11:29):
What about just the first three that you think of
that have been influential onyour career?
Sam Brewster (11:34):
Yeah, okay, probably ACDC or definitely ACDC
as one.
I mean, you know and a lot ofwhat they do on stage and on
their records, yeah, I'd have tosay, metallica when I was
growing up was a big part of youknow how I learnt to play
guitar, and then probably JimiHendrix as well.
Yeah, I'd say those three.
Cheryl Lee (11:56):
I think they influenced a lot of well, I was
going to say Australian artists,but I think artists all over
the world.
Sam Brewster (12:02):
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (12:02):
Did you get your ACDC tickets this morning?
Sam Brewster (12:05):
No, I haven't.
I actually forgot they went onsale today.
Are they already sold out?
Cheryl Lee (12:10):
I haven't heard yet that they're sold out.
I had constant anxiety sittingat my computer.
Very, very stressful.
Sam Brewster (12:18):
I was very happy to get mine, yeah, right, yeah,
back in the day, you used tohave to sleep out for those sort
of things.
Exactly I've done that a coupleof times, but yeah, hopefully
I'll get to see them again.
Cheryl Lee (12:27):
Did you see them last time they were here?
Sam Brewster (12:29):
Not the last time I saw them.
The last one was on the StiffUpper Lip Tour back a little
while now.
Cheryl Lee (12:34):
It doesn't seem like that long ago, but I think that
was about 2012, maybe thiscould very well be the last time
I would say it would be yeah, Ihope you get tickets and if you
do, I'll see you down the frontbecause I've got the ones in
the mosh.
Sam Brewster (12:48):
Oh, you have Awesome, Of course you do Now
alive or dead.
Cheryl Lee (12:52):
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Oh, Jimi Hendrix.
Would he be up?
Sam Brewster (12:58):
there?
Yeah, he would be, but I don'tknow if he'd be as much of a
collaborator.
As you know, he's definitely aband leader and you know, yeah,
Hmm, Maybe Pat Metheny.
I reckon that'd be reallyinteresting.
I mean, he's a bit the same.
Like you know, he's got thiswhole.
He's got this record where he'sgot this room full of
(13:19):
instruments and he's controllingthem all with his guitar and
solenoids and makes a wholerecord just like that, Just
programs everything just fromhis guitar, and yeah, I think
that'd be really interesting.
Cheryl Lee (13:29):
Have you received a piece of advice that has been
invaluable to you.
Sam Brewster (13:35):
It can be from one of your family members.
These are hard questions.
They're very hard questions.
Yeah, yeah, I'd need to thinkabout that.
Cheryl Lee (13:43):
Yeah, all right.
One of the most challengingmoments in your career so far?
There's probably been too many,has?
Sam Brewster (13:51):
there?
No, not really.
Look, I mean, yeah, I can'tthink of anything that's, you
know, been.
Oh, I mean, everything'sdifficult to a degree, but
what's the most challenging?
I'll give you a recent onegetting our new monitor system
working last year.
Technology, Technology, yeah,yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's
(14:11):
probably been some of thoseshows.
Last year we did with MySex andwe invested in a new monitor
system for our ears.
I don't know if you've noticedwe wear these things on stage.
Yeah, and just getting thatironing out all the kinks in
that week to week and kind oflike, you know, staying up at
night, you know, getting off theplane and going straight back
(14:33):
into it trying to work out.
Cheryl Lee (14:35):
Yeah, because the show must go on right.
Sam Brewster (14:37):
Yeah, and you know it took quite a while and it
was much harder than I thoughtit would be.
We're also helping the otherbands out by running them
through it as well.
It was Dwight, our tech, and I.
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (14:49):
Well done, I think.
I know another one probablyBalancing Fatherhood and
Rockstardom.
Sam Brewster (14:56):
Yeah, well, actually that's not as tricky
because you know, luckily I'vegot a really good wife who's
very supportive of it all.
Cheryl Lee (15:03):
Behind every successful man is a good woman.
Sam Brewster (15:06):
Absolutely yeah.
Cheryl Lee (15:07):
Last one, an angel's song that you wish people heard
more.
I won't say the word underrated.
An angel's song that you wishwas out there and more popular,
more listened to.
Sam Brewster (15:20):
Well, I'd have to say some of the new stuff you
know, because every band wishesthat right, every classic band
whose hits the radio only playthe old hits.
You want them to play the newones.
So I'd say probably, maybe offthe new album, probably
Heartbeats actually that's oneof my favourites, heartbeats or
(15:40):
Little Lies.
Yeah, little Lies is probablymy favourite on the record, but
I think Heartbeats wouldprobably have a wider appeal.
You are listening to StillRocking it, the podcast with
Cheryl Lee.
Cheryl Lee (15:55):
Let's have both of those songs, shall we?
Why stop at one?
From the 99 album, first upHeartbeats, followed by Little
Lies, and then we're back to saygoodbye to bass guitarist, tour
manager and the technical go-toguy, sam Brewster.
Sam Brewster (16:17):
It's a feeble compromise, as we all swallow
smiles Staggering, wearydinosaur Fear of the burned out
industry Knocking back drinks atlunch.
Cheryl Lee (16:35):
Was there anything else that you specifically
wanted to mention, Sam I?
Sam Brewster (16:39):
don't think so.
No, I think you've grilled meon some tough questions.
Cheryl Lee (16:44):
Sorry about that.
Sam Brewster (16:46):
No, no, it's all good Kicking me on the toes.
Cheryl Lee (16:48):
We talked at the beginning about being such an
integral part of the Australianmusic landscape.
I just read recently that.
Jimmy Barnes.
So another South Australiansaid of the Angels they're a
band that changed Australianmusic forever.
Now that's a bit of acompliment.
Sam Brewster (17:09):
Yeah, absolutely.
Cheryl Lee (17:10):
Because that's what you want to do, I would imagine,
as an artist, as a band.
Sam Brewster (17:15):
Yeah, well, I mean certainly back then.
You know, I think it'sdefinitely harder to do now.
There's just so many bands outthere, but yeah, the band of
that time with Doc and yeah, itwas pretty exciting.
I mean, I think it's timeless.
You know, still watch some ofthat footage now, like Narara
and things like that.
Cheryl Lee (17:33):
Oh, absolutely, I just watched that, held my
breath as he climbed up thestacks, even though I knew he
didn't fall down.
You're still like, oh yeah, theAngels didn't just influence
Australian bands.
Found another quote from AxlRose.
One of the main reasons thisband so Guns N' Roses got
(17:54):
together was a song called Takea Long Line Right.
Did you know that?
Sam Brewster (17:59):
I did.
I've read that somewhere before.
Yeah, I mean, I know, axl, youknow, sometimes you know that I
did.
I've read that somewhere before.
Yeah, I mean, I know, axl, youknow, sometimes you know they do
Marseille at a soundcheck orwhatever he's done it in.
You know Guns N' Rosespre-slash and Duff when they had
that, you know, and they brokeup for a while.
Yeah.
Cheryl Lee (18:13):
That just goes to show that the Brewster family,
band or the.
Angels has made its mark On notjust South Australian music,
not just Australian music, butthe worldwide music landscape.
Sam Brewster (18:26):
So thank you for doing that and thank you for all
the music, and all the musicthat is yet to come.
Well, you're welcome, I guess.
I mean, I don't know if I cantake any credit for that, like
I'm kind of a ring in on thatone, but you know, I still sort
of think of myself as quite anew member.
Cheryl Lee (18:40):
You and your brother and even Nick, are part of the
reason we can still go out, goto the Go For Broke tour and see
you guys still play all ourfavourite songs.
Live, get to experience the new.
Sam Brewster (18:53):
Angels music as well, If it wasn't for you that
might not be happening, sothanks again.
Thank you yeah.
Cheryl Lee (19:00):
Look forward to seeing you at the Bridgeway.
Sam Brewster (19:03):
Yeah, that should be a good one.
Hopefully.
It's been a while since we'vedone that one.
Cheryl Lee (19:09):
Well, it's good that the Bridgeway is playing live
music again.
Sam Brewster (19:11):
Yeah, have you been to Hindley Street Music
Hall?
Yeah, yeah, I was there acouple of weeks ago.
That's a great venue.
I'd love to do that one again.
Cheryl Lee (19:18):
It is.
It's a great venue that oneagain.
Sam Brewster (19:21):
It is.
It's a great venue.
Yeah, I saw Snarky Puppy therea couple of weeks ago.
I don't know if you know them.
Yeah, great band.
Yeah, no vocals.
It's just kind of jazz fusion,you know, rock jazz sort of
thing.
It's cool yeah.
Cheryl Lee (19:32):
Snarky.
Sam Brewster (19:33):
Puppy, check it out.
Cheryl Lee (19:34):
Alright.
Well, you have a good rest ofyour day, Sam, and thank you for
spending a bit of time with usonce again in the Zoom room.
All the best, thanks for havingme Go for broke tour Rock,
everybody's socks off.
Sam Brewster (19:47):
Cheers and go.
The power Power's playingtonight.
You're not a Crows girl, areyou?
Cheryl Lee (19:53):
No, I am Richmond.
Oh, are you?
Sam Brewster (19:57):
I don't want to talk about footy at all.
Fair enough.
Yeah, okay, yeah, fair enough.
Yeah, the dogs kind of cleanedthem up last week too, right?
Cheryl Lee (20:05):
It's been terrible, but you know it's a rebuilding
phase.
Sam Brewster (20:09):
Yep, yep, I think Port the same.
Cheryl Lee (20:12):
Good luck.
I hope you do win, cheers.
Sam Brewster (20:14):
Bye for now.
Thanks, Cheryl.
Bye.
Cheryl Lee (20:17):
Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick,
cheryl Lee, the Angels'domination of Australian music
continues.
Get on to theangelscomau.
They're touring Australia inJuly and August.
See when they're coming yourway.
And we are going to go out with, of course, no prizes for
guessing 99.
Go For Broke, the title trackfrom last year's album.
(20:39):
You're with Cheryl Lee, thatradio chick.
Thank you so much for joiningme on the Still Rocking it
podcast.
Hope to catch you again nexttime.
Get out when you can supportAussie music and I'll see you
down the front.
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