Ex-Powderfinger Bassist To Open New Venue

Ex-Powderfinger bassist John “JC” Collins has revealed his plans to reinvigorate Brisbane’s once-vital city fringe by opening a new, 800-capacity venue in the inner-city suburb of Newstead.

As The Courier-Mail reports, Collins’ venue – which he has called Triffid – is set to open this November, housed in one of the suburb’s historic World War II hangars, and its projected capacity is the “perfect” size to aid the city’s present dearth of midsize live music venues.

However, gigs won’t be the venue’s only calling – as Collins told the paper, he wants “to make it Newstead’s backyard … somewhere to come and hang out after work, hear some music, have a drink and grab some food”.

Residents nearby needn’t worry about noise levels, with the veteran musician going to great lengths to ensure his fledgling space is compliant with sound restrictions and of minimal impact to neighbours.

“We have been talking to acoustic engineers to make sure it isn’t pumping out volume to the neighbours because inside we are going to have the best, professional gear and a big enough stage for decent-sized acts,” Collins said.

Collins said that he is working with Footstomp founder and BIGSOUND exec Graham Ashton, who was responsible for Powderfinger’s original signing to Polydor Records in the 1990s, to ensure a high quality of live act passes through Triffid’s doors once they open in November following completion of the hangar’s renovations the month prior. Just don’t expect the iconic Aussie act to be on any of the line-ups.

 “I would love to say Powderfinger will open the place, but that’s not going to happen,” Collins told News Corp.