FLASHBACK: You Am I

Have you ever actually wondered where we pulled our name Purple Sneakers from? Because it definitely wasn't put in order through the inspiration of a violet pair of Chuck Taylors.. We're paying homage to Australian legends YOU AM I as they released a song titled 'Purple Sneakers' on their 1995 sophomore record Hi Fi Way.

Considering our obvious fondness of the band, we're pretty damn excited to announce that the outfit will be reissuing their first three records - Sound As Ever, Hi Fi Way and Hourly Daily, that will include a bunch of extra goodies in recognition of their debut's 20th birthday!

So putting two and two together, we felt it time to write up a You Am I flashback dedicated to these three timeless records.

Released in November of 1993, the quartet released their very first LP titled Sound As Ever. It was recorded in Minnesota a few months earlier, at a studio called Pachyderm. Sound As Ever was more than just a debut record. Not only was it produced by Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo and engineered by the Welcome Mat's Wayne Connolly, it was a dedication to the band's close friend Stephen 'Goose' Gray (frontman of Box The Jesuit) who lost his fight against leukaemia.

The album is also what brought the boys to their very first ARIA award [for 'Best Alternative Release'] and contains the popular track 'Berlin Chair' - a song they never expected to become a single, yet is always expected to pop up on Rage in the wee small hours of a Friday or Saturday morning.

Fifteen months later and You Am I delivered their follow up release, Hi Fi Way. The sophomore LP was recorded at New York's Green Street Studios over a seven day period, and was again produced by the legendary Lee Ranaldo.

Unlike its predecessor, this album was very disorganised by the time the band got to record it. After just finishing up supporting Soundgarden on their expansive American tour, You Am I were absolutely knackered, and came into the studios without any lyrics to sing, some songs even instrumentally unfinished. After many late nights and rushed songwriting, the album was complete; although Tim Rogers' heart was not, as he felt as though he ruined Hi Fi Way.

Little did he know just how much the critics were going to love it, as it received five stars continuously, as well as winning the band yet another ARIA for the same award that their debut achieved. Not to mention one of its tracks leading the name of your favourite music blog..

The first LP to be finalised in their home country, Hourly, Daily was recorded at Sydney's Q Studios. The sound of this record shaped up slightly differently to its older brothers, as lead singer Tim Rogers and drummer Russell Hopkinson made a promise in a drunken state that it were to be a beat record.

Although they had plenty more time to rehearse and write new material for this particular record, You Am I decided they'd keep these sessions to a bare minimum in order for the new record to stay fresh and genuine sounding.

Having already won two ARIAs, You Am I wiped the ceremony out clean of their pointy trophies as 1996 saw the band win an extra six awards, thanks to Hourly, Daily.

Looking back at the very early stages of You Am I's career, they've clearly come a long, long way to still be playing toady, thanks to their booming back catalogue, with close thought to these first three albums.

So to celebrate, all three of these records listed will be re-released as they've been remastered in a digital and CD version, with each album featuring extra tracks; including never before released live performances, demos, alternative versions of tracks and B-sides. Expanded booklets with liner notes, historical information and unseen photographs will also be released with the reissues. All of this will be available to purchase on Friday, 7th June through Sony Music.

But wait, there's more!

Their natural habitat known to be that of a stage, the reissues will be celebrated alongside an Australian You Am I Tour during June and July!

Tickets go on sale for these shows next Tuesday, 16th April.

YOU AM I NATIONAL TOUR

Thursday, 27th June

Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane

Tickets will be available at Ticketek.

Saturday, 6th July

Forum Theatre, Melbourne

Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.

Saturday, 13th July

Astor Theatre, Perth

Tickets will be available at Show Ticketing.

Friday, 19th July

Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Tickets will be available at Ticketek.

Words by Hannah Galvin.

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