STACK #251 September 2025

MUSIC FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack BLOKES YOU CAN TRUST W ith The Living End’s new record blazing in the background, I Trust The Living End to deliver the rock record of the year. Words Jeff Jenkins

WHEN CHRIS MET RINGO

read a quote from Aussie author Thomas Keneally, who was talking to his fellow novelist Peter Carey. “When we were new,” Keneally noted, “everyone thought we were brilliant. Now we’re just part of the furniture.” But the aptly titled I Only Trust Rock’n’Roll demands that we can’t take The Living End for granted. This is a ripping rock record. It might be the band’s ninth album, but it rages with the intensity of their debut. It sounds fresh, fun, and angry. Asked to describe the album in three words, singer and guitarist Chris Cheney says:“Spirit, fun and reawakening.” Returning to their roots, the band – Cheney, double bass man Scott Owen, and drummer Andy Strachan – have delivered a fast and furious rock record. No frills. All thrills. “It felt like a bit of a homecoming,” Cheney smiles. “It feels like the right record for The Living End to be making at this time. Every time I sent a demo out, the guys would go, ‘That’s it, that’s the record we need to be making.’ “This was about reawakening the

Chris Cheney and his family lived in Los Angeles for a decade. One night, at a party, Chris looked across the room and saw Ringo Starr. Yep, Ringo. Chris’ eight-year old daughter ran up to him. “I was petrified,” Chris recalls. “I mean, what are you going to say?” Chris’ daughter exclaimed, “Hi, Ringo!” The Beatle gave her a big hug. Then she introduced her father. “This is my dad. My two favourite bands are The Beatles and The Living End.” Ringo, who had just been in Australia, replied: “I’ve heard of The Living End.” “That was enough for me,” Chris says. “Meeting Ringo was one of those crazy moments. I was looking at him and thinking, ‘You’re him, you’re that guy.’ All that amazing footage was flashing through my head while I was talking to him, thinking, ‘What a life you’ve lived.’ And what a night I had.”

Photo credit: Jacob McCann

Andy Strachan, Chris Cheney, and Scott Owen

CHART FACT Every album by The Living End has cracked the Top 10. Two albums

I Only Trust Rock’n’Roll by The Living End is out Sep 26 via BMG

have hit number one – 1998’s self-titled debut and 2006’s State of Emergency .

The band ripped through the record with legendary producer Kevin “Caveman” Shirley (Cold Chisel, Silverchair, Baby Animals, Aerosmith). “He works quick,” Cheney points out, “which I think everyone was excited about. It couldn’t be the sort of record that we spent six months making. It needed to be slammed out. We probably did two or three takes of each song and he’d be like, ‘I’ve got it.’”

Cheney turned 50 this year, but age has not wearied him. “I never really subscribed to that idea that as we get older, we should become diluted or watered-down or tame. I think the band is as ferocious on stage as we’ve ever been.” He corrects himself. “More ferocious. We’re better players, we hit it harder. And I feel like with this record, I really had something to say.” He laughs. “I just seemed to be p-ssed off in the last few years.” Public Holiday calls for the abolition of Australia Day, Camera takes a swipe at the selfie-generation of influencers, and Alfie is a searing statement of intent. And that’s just for starters. Yep, trust us, The Living End are back. Play this one loud.

rock ’n’ roll band, which is what The Living End does live on stage. We thought, ‘Why not make a straight-up balls-to-the-wall rock ’n’ roll record?’ “It can still have a few curveballs and twists and turns but not overshadowing that we are a rock ’n’ roll band.”

WHAT DOES BARNESY RECKON? Jimmy Barnes: “The Living End are a band I’ve loved for years. They’re just a phenomenal band. I go see them live and they’re one of the few bands where, after about eight songs, I have to stand back and catch a breath and go phew ! These guys are ferocious. That rhythm section, that guitar player, they’re just awesome.”

SEPTEMBER 2025

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