The Cold Chisel beast is alive and kicking, frontman Jimmy Barnes says.
As the iconic Australian band celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Barnes says the rockers plan to release an album by the end of 2014.
They created some new material at Barnes’ house a few months ago and plan to write and record further songs in May.
“Cold Chisel is a live beast again, it’s not something that’s on the shelves,” he says.
“Whenever we feel like we’ve got the material, whenever we feel like playing new material, we’re ready to go.
“We really enjoy playing together again, there is nothing holding us back.”
The group is now operating under its own independent label and has released its first first live performance CD and DVD set in a decade: Cold Chisel The Live Tapes – Vol 1 – Live at the Hordern, including hits Cheap Wine, Saturday Night and Khe Sanh.
Barnes says it’s refreshing to have complete control over how and when the band’s material is released and promoted, uninhibited by corporate considerations.
He says in the past there was pressure to produce an album a year from record labels.
“You make music and you become trapped in what you create,” Barnes says.
“This now is on our terms.”
Barnes says Cold Chisel turned down several lucrative offers to re-form.
“One of the great things about Cold Chisel breaking up (in 1983) was we sort of let ourselves go.
“We just waited until we felt like playing and then we played.
“We’re in a unique position now where we’re a great rock and roll band who plays because we want to play rock and roll – for no other reason.”
Barnes compares performing to throwing himself into the hands of the Gods.
“You get on stage at different times: you can be really tired, you can be sick, you can be feeling fantastic … whatever it is, you know, you get up there an you allow something to happen.
“Something just takes over and it’s about the chemistry between yourself and the audience.”
Apart from Barnes on vocals the other members of Cold Chisel are: Ian Moss (guitar/vocals), Phil Small (bass), Don Walker (piano) and Charley Drayton (drums).
The group’s original drummer Steve Prestwich died aged 56 from a brain tumour in 2011.
Cold Chisel’s live recording CD and DVD set was made of its performance at the Horden Pavilion was on April 18, 2012, when storms were lashing Sydney.
“Rain was going sideways, there was lightening, it was just like the world was coming to an end,” Barnes remembers.
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“It went from this lashing storm outside to inside it was like a club where there was blues music playing.
“We created an atmosphere in there that was independent of what was going on outside.”
Next year is set to be busy for Barnes, who is also planning to record a new solo album. 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of his solo career.
