Crowe's Grunts - (from 'Illawarra Mercury' December 1998)

by Kilmeny Adie


With Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts set to tour there are sure to be connections made between the skills of Russell Crowe as an actor and musician. But before you judge the sound of Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts forget all those preconceptions that you may have of Russell Crowe as an actor and prepare to listen to him as a musician and as part of a band.

"If you respect me as an artist give me a minute, let me show you another artistic expression that I do, that I do at the same level, comes from the same place, same soul" said Crowe, the conviction apparent in his voice.

The band is set to perform in Wollongong as one stop on a tour which includes an appointment in Los Angeles.

"We have never played, done a single show in Wollongong.'Äù Crowe said. "Considering we have toured the last three years in a row, we are really looking forward to playing there.

The band is Garth Adam on bass, Dean Cochran on guitar, Dave Kelly on drums, and Russell Crowe on vocals and guitar. The sound of Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts is raw, atmospheric and passionate. The lyrics of the band are heavy and emotive, with songs like The Legend of Barry Kable, Circus, What's Her Name? and You Treat Me Like Chocolate certain to stun the audience with their power. The new album from the group, Gaslight, follows in the tradition of 1996's debut EP Photograph Kills and the 1997 single What's Her Name? Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts is planning the tour as a chance for not only its old fans to catch up with their favorites but also as a chance to introduce some new songs.

"We are going to open with some new stuff, play pretty much of the album. It was a matter that we had so many songs recorded that we had to let some of the kids leave the house, go out into the real world," Crowe said with a laugh.