12th October 1998 – The Living End released their debut self-titled album. It was one of the most anticipated albums from an Australian band EVER! Coming off the back of the massive double A-side single Second Solution / Prisoner Of Society, everything The Living End had worked for since their first gig in 1991 was coming down to this, their first full length album. Would it hit big, or crumble under the overwhelming expectation.
We all know the outcome. ‘The Living End’ album is a staple in Australian musical history. Debuting #1 on the ARIA Album Chart on release, the album stayed in the Top 10 for 27 weeks. It went on to win the band “Breakthrough Artist – Album” and “Best Group” at the 1999 ARIA Awards.
The album captured the bands influences. Stylistically, it had punk (West End Riot), metal (Growing Up Falling Down), pop (I Want A Day), rockabilly (Second Solution), hillbilly thrash on steroids (Prisoner Of Society), jazz (Fly Away), ska (Trapped and All Torn Down), swampy surf twang (Bloody Mary), country pickin’ and anything else they thought they could throw at it.
Released tomorrow is a special 25th Anniversary edition of the 14 track album, repackaged for vinyl and CD with a 32 page booklet complete with Chris Cheney penned liner notes and photos from the period. Added to the album is a 10 track live recording from 1998 captured for triple j’s Live At The Wireless. The live recording includes a rare cover version of On The Inside(theme from ‘Prisoner’). Fans can still pre-order / pre-save the 25th anniversary edition of ‘The Living End’ HERE.
On the eve of the deluxe edition release, frontman Chris Cheney reflects: “In the lead up to this re-release of our debut album I’ve thought a lot about the who, what, where, when and essentially why this record had the impact that it did? What the circumstances were to make this album what it is today. It wasn’t necessarily right time or right look or right song or dumb luck. It was ALL of them! When it was released, it was THE defining moment for us. Everything changed after that. It’s crazy that it’s turning 25 but it still feels as fresh as the day it was pressed. With this new Anniversary re-release it actually looks better than it ever did. I’m incredibly grateful that it remains such a special album not just for us but for so many people,” he concluded.
The album would go on to stay in the ARIA Album Charts for 83 weeks, spawn five ripping singles and is now certified 5 x platinum. It’s one of the biggest selling debut rock albums in Australian music history and in 2011, as voted by listeners of triple j in the ‘Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time’ poll, ‘The Living End’ came in at #4, squeezed between AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ and INXS’ ‘Kick’.
In early August, The Living End announced a one off show to celebrate the 25 year milestone to take place in their hometown of Melbourne at Festival Hall on Saturday 4th November, playing the iconic self-titled album in full, plus all their other hits, rarities and deep cuts in a once in a lifetime celebration. The tickets were snapped up with the SOLD OUT sign in place in a matter of days.
THE LIVING END – 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW
SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2023 – FESTIVAL HALL, MELBOURNE *SOLD OUT*
‘THE LIVING END’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (VINYL, CD + DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)
WILL BE RELEASED 13 OCTOBER 2023 VIA BMG – PRE-ORDER / PRE SAVE HERE
With thanks to Six Boroughs Media
