THE ANIMALS – Is This The End?
Words by: Tom Wilson @thetomwilsonexperiment - Sense Music Media | Friday 9th February 2024
“I feel I was robbed a little bit by the pandemic … I’ve got to make that time back.”
Having last spoken to THE ANIMALS drummer John Steel in 2022 (interview here), SENSE got back in touch to discuss what is being billed as their final ever tour of Australia. Is it really goodbye?
“It’s a strange one … I mean, it’s the 60th anniversary this year of our recording career when we had our first number one with The House of the Rising Sun, so it’s a bit of a milestone in the life of THE ANIMALS. It’s thirty years last month, this January just gone, since we were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. I’m in two minds as to whether it’s going to be the farewell tour, as everybody calls it, because I feel I was robbed a little bit by the pandemic. It seemed like we were off the road for almost three years because of it, and something in the back of my mind says, “I’ve got to make that time back.” I can’t let it go. It might be the last time around. But I still feel well, I still feel fit, and I still play as well as I ever did, so I’m just going to get through this year and see what I feel like at the end of it. [Laughs] Never say never!”
Retirement is a great concept, but you’ve got to have something to retire to. A lot of people just get bored.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s true. I can’t imagine what I would do with myself. I think the only thing that’s going to stop me is if my body says “You’ve had enough, mate. You just can’t do this anymore.” But until that happens, I’ll put that on hold. It might be the last year, but we’ll wait and see!”
I guess it’s fortunate for him that he’s not playing in a death metal band. THE ANIMALS is perhaps a little easier to maintain.
“Yeah! [Laughs] Those guys really work hard. My background musically was more jazz and rhythm & blues and early rock ‘n’ roll … we don’t have to have muscles!”
THE ANIMALS February / March 2024
Australia / New Zealand Tour Dates
Monday 19th February NEWCASTLE, Lizottes – NEW SHOW
Tuesday 20th February NEWCASTLE, Lizottes
Wednesday 21st February WOLLONGONG, Centro CBD
Friday 23rd February PADDINGTON, RSL
Saturday 24th February ROZELLE, Bridge Hotel
Sunday 25th February TWEED HEADS, Twin Towns
Wednesday 28th February ADELAIDE, The Gov
Friday 1st March ALBURY, SS & A Club
Saturday 2nd March DONCASTER, Wanstock 2024 @ Shoppingtown Hotel With Special Guests DRAGON and TMG
Monday 4th March ADELAIDE, The Gov – NEW SHOW
Wednesday 6th March WAGGA WAGGA, Civic Theatre – NEW SHOW
Friday 8th March CANBERRA, The Playhouse – NEW SHOW
Saturday 9th Match DOYALSON, RSL – NEW SHOW
Sunday 10th March PORT MACQUARIE, Glasshouse Theatre – NEW SHOW
Monday 12th March COFFS HARBOUR, Jetty Memorial Theatre – NEW SHOW
Tuesday 13th March BRUNSWICK HEADS, Picture House – NEW SHOW
Thursday 15th March BELLARA, Bribie Island Hotel – NEW SHOW
Saturday 16th March LOGANHOLME, Fitzy’s Loganholme – NEW SHOW
Sunday 17th March Toowoomba, Armitage Centre – NEW SHOW
Tuesday March 19th WELLINGTON, San Fran
Wednesday March 20th AUCKLAND, Tuning Fork
Tickets:
From AUS: https://metropolistouring.com/the-animals-2024/
NZ: https://metropolistouring.com/newzealand/the-animals-2024/
