The Cruel Sea

Sometime around the start of 1989 Beast of Bourbon front-man Tex Perkins began sitting in with the instrumental 'surf' band The Cruel Sea at live shows in Sydney. These onstage collaborations would lead to the bands debut album 'Down Below' (December 1989).

'This is Not the Way Home' (December 1991) was heard as far away as Argentina - testimony to the way The Cruel Sea had quickly established a strong following in the alternative/surf cultures both in Australia and abroad. By early 1994 their eclectic blending of soul/reggae with Australian guitar rock had become the Australian sound. Tony Cohen had lent his hand to the masterly produced 'The Honeymoon is Over' (May 1993) and The Cruel Sea stole away from the ARIA Awards in '94 with Best Group, Best Album, Best Single and Song of the Year. Tony Cohen also received the Aria gong for Producer of the Year for his work on the album.

A hard act to follow but 'Three Legged Dog' (1994) with it's single, 'Better Get a Lawyer' and a consistent offering of quality live performances (including tours of Canada, the U.S., Europe and an Australian support for the Rolling Stone's Voodoo Lounge Tour), cemented the band firmly in the Australian music mainstream.

An often overlooked album of some wonderful studio out-takes, 'Rock'n'Roll Duds' (November 1995), would have been the only teaser for Cruel Sea fans until 'Over Easy' (May 1998) had it not been for the delightful Tex Perkins solo record 'Far Be it From Me' (1996).

'The Most - The Best of The Cruel Sea' (November 1999) documents a decade of output from a band instrumental in bridging the gap between Australian "mainstream' and "alternative" music. Perkins second solo record 'Dark Horses' (July 2000), a thoughtful, reflective work further established the broadening of his talents.

The new release 'Where There's Smoke' was recorded on the North Coast of NSW at Rocking Horse Studios. The band as a whole spent time at Perkins' 'ranch' in the hills nearby, writing and jamming with the new material preceding the recording. The 'back porch' atmosphere translates across the breadth of the album - old friends, impeccable musicians, all hanging out and exploring the kinds of music they like and love to play. It's all there - soul, dub, funk, blues, reggae. Yet this is not merely appropriation of genres - there is a genuine playfulness here and these musical styles are The Cruel Sea's favourite toys. Friends drop by, kick the footie, sit on the deck with a beer and occasionally (as with Charlie Owen) add some scorching guitar solos.

Ken Gormly- bass and Jim Elliott- drums, as we have come to expect, weave out considered rhythms that gratify with surprising shifts yet remain a sturdy backbone for the songs which are grafted with the guitar sounds so integral to The Cruel Sea by Dan Rumour and James Cruickshank. Tex Perkins, comfortable in this environment, extends his range of skills here both vocally and lyrically. The larrikin is there from the first vocal line- "There are so many ways I could be good to you, but I can't think of one of them right now."
Producer (and State of Origin Ping-Pong Champ) Magoo, who has worked with, among others, Spiderbait, Regurgitator and Midnight Oil, has brought something new to The Cruel Sea while retaining the integrity of their highly recognisable guitar-based sound. Layered vocal tracks highlight the playfulness of Perkins' singing range and his facility with harmony.

The single, 'Simple Goodbye', is described by Perkins, with a wry smile, as "sophisticated disco". In it the band easily builds an arena where Tex spars with greats like Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. As he dances he is also narrator- telling the story of a doomed love affair and of how to make separation least painful. On 'She Got Soul' he slugs it out with reggae artists Max Romeo and Bob Marley.

'No Choice' was written by Perkins in collaboration with Joel Silbersher (God, Hoss, Tendrils, Dark Horses) and Charlie Owen (New Christs, Beasts of Bourbon, Tex, Don & Charlie, Tendrils, Working Class Ringos, Dark Horses). It's hook features a sample of Dirty Three's Warren Ellis playing….. the flute!

The members of The Cruel Sea agree that the recording of 'Where There's Smoke' in the laid-back environs of the North Coast was an enjoyable experience for all. That sense of pleasure manifests itself in a bunch of refreshing songs that make up one of The Cruel Sea's most satisfying album to date.

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