First The Basics, now Tex
Stalwart Aussie rock muso Tex Perkins is running in the upcoming Victorian election as an independent candidate, in a bid to save iconic Melbourne venue Palais Theatre.
According to a report by the ABC, The Cruel Sea and Beasts Of Bourbon legend will contest the seat of Albert Park in hopes to secure fudning for the much-loved live music hub. The venue is said to have an estimated $25-40 million repair bill that will allow it to be up to date with current building codes.
"The neglect of such an iconic performance venue, along with all the buck-passing from both sides of politics - it's just not good enough," Perkins said in the article.
Even though the City of Port Phillip agreed to put forward $7.5 million towards the repairs, Perkins said the venue had been "neglected by both sides of politics for far too many years.".
"So push has finally come to shove - she needs a funding commitment now."
News on the threat of closure against the Palais first emerged in August.
The news on Perkins' foray into politics follows on from Gotye and his band The Basics involvement in the upcoming election, with the trio's The Basics Rock'n'Roll Party successfully registered as a party for the event.
The VIC election takes place on Saturday 29 November.