'The Excitement Of That Is Irreplaceable': Getting Back To Business With AM Reruns

After months and months and months (ten or so if you live in VIC), live music if finally a possibility again. It’s been a rough stint; for bands, venues, fans - anybody that knows the best evenings are pumped through amplifiers. In response, like many punters, we here at The Music have sworn to never again opt for a night on the couch when there are louder activities available. We also decided to start 'We've Got A Live One', a series speaking to acts leading the charge back to our stages. What’s up? How’ve you been? WHERE CAN WE SEE YOU PLAY!?

First up, AM Reruns are "bringing back the brevity and exuberance of power pop to people's ears, hips and hearts" and they're doing it at Small Time in Brunswick this Saturday 12 Dec. We'd be excited about that anytime, but after a year of empty stages and closed venues it's like hearing Christmas has come (ever so slightly) early.

Ahead of the show, we spoke to frontman Andy Campbell about Slade compilations, Dorito binges, and how it feels to return to heaving, sweaty, irreplaceable live music.

Live music is back! How does it feel?

Well, slightly unreal. I'm actually not sure what to make of it yet, because like all well-meaning people I've been behaving in a very distanced fashion since March. And so real-life gigs actually feel a bit scary. And I think I'm still in shock from losing the opportunity to play in the first place. My expression is probably blank right now. Disoriented - that's what I am. I'm sure gigs will start to feel natural again, and I just hope it doesn't take long.

You've got a show coming up, what are the details?

We're playing our first show since March at Small Time Group in Brunswick, Saturday 12 December at 7pm. It will be streamed live from their Facebook page and on YouTube I think, but you should come watch us play in the fish tank! How often can you have a beer, pizza and watch a band play behind glass? Come out, and make it all feel natural again.

What did you get up to during lockdown? Was this a period of creativity or reflection?

Let's be honest here. You could call it reflection, but it was mostly moping around eating bags and bags of Doritos. I did buy a lot of records though. The best moment of each week was when the records arrived. Which led to me developing an obsession with the mail. I'd like you to know that I'm listening to a new Slade comp called, Cum On Feel The Hitz. And The Cribs' new record.

Did you play/watch any live-streamed shows during lockdown? What’d you think of them?

Isol-Aid was a godsend. We caught a lot of shows, and even got to play one. The shows streamed by record shops like Rocksteady in Melbourne and Music Farmers in Wollongong also did a lot to keep the community together. My favourite gig of the year though was probably The Cribs' album launch, just a few days ago. Who would have thought I could watch The Cribs play live at The Cavern Club, at 7am, from bed? Fontaines DC did a really good streamed show a few days ago too. Streamed shows are starting to become a very interactive experience, with lots of cameras to switch between. It reminds me of a DVD special feature from the 2000s, but it's cooler than that. But really, none of it could replace the heaving, sweaty gigs of ten months ago, or the camaraderie you feel queuing with likeminded strangers waiting for the venue doors to open. You find your tribe at shows and the excitement of that is irreplaceable. Hopefully the relatively small sacrifice we have made means we can be lucky enough to get back to normal sooner.

In a lot of ways 2020 has been a wash, but tomorrow is a new day. What are your plans for next year?

We're doing some recording in January, and then we'll be busy finishing songs for our second album which we're aiming to release in the second half of next year. So, new music and hopefully more gigs around Australia and in the regions. Fingers crossed!

Of course, it's not quite over yet. Any predictions for the final bugshit curveball(s) coming our way before January?

"I want to believe..." "Into every generation a chosen one is born, she alone must fight the vampires... she is the slayer." Etc, etc, etc... On that point actually, I really just hope our cat doesn't knock the TV over.

AM Reruns play Small Time on 12 Dec. To find out more, or to make a booking, head to the Guide.