Powderfinger 'back on form'

BY MICHAEL FOX

His moustache might resemble the cowboy from the Village People, but Powderfinger drummer John Coghill says their new record is more rock than YMCA.

The Aussie rockers are preparing to release their seventh album Golden Mile at the end of the month.

Coghill says the band feels good about the new album and hope it's a return to form after their last album, Dream Days at the Hotel Existence failed to excite. The band has also had to deal with criticism that they're struggling to stay relevant.

"I'm not going to say it's our best record, because we don't want to say that, but the fact of the matter is we're really enthusiastic about it and we're really happy with it, so that's a good sign for us."

On the phone from his Brisbane home, Coghill says the record is a return to the Odyssey Number Five era, though more up-tempo and "hopeful".

"It's not really like a massive rock record, but it's still really up-tempo and it has got good rock moments. It wouldn't be a Powderfinger record I don't reckon without good rock moments."

The band began writing in January, had the record done by around the end of April and were enjoying recording by June.

"This time we just felt like we were doing the right thing.

"We didn't get bogged down ... we almost had a sense of freshness."

After 18 years together, with more than two million albums sold and 16 Australian music awards in the bag, they just wanted to make it fun.

"I know that sounds really st and cliché and cheesy but it really is true, because when you get on the seventh record if it's not fun you start to question why you're doing it."

"Even though it is our job it's supposed to be a great job and if it's not fun it doesn't feel like a great job," he said.

The band was sticking to what they know - "We know that we're not about to go and put a dance record out," Coghill said - but were also trying to freshen things up.

"I know it probably doesn't sound like that to some people, but the fact of the matter is that we are trying to change a little bit and become better."

Showing they don't mind having a laugh at themselves and also that they're prepared to throw their weight behind good causes, Powderfinger are supporting the Movember campaign.

While Coghill's was "not looking like a mo yet," he admitted he would love a Tom Sellick-style lip cover,  but was more likely to end up with one like "the cowboy from the Village People".

Mo's and rumours of imminent retirement aside, the five-piece is preparing to return to New Zealand's Big Day Out next year.

* Big Day Out, January 15, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.

- © Fairfax NZ News