The Angels Rick Brewster on Band’s New Album and Meeting Bowie

Rick Brewster from The Angels on the band’s new album Ninety Nine and what music he has on repeat. 

Image by Gazza.B

Almost 50 years from their inception, The Angels are still one of the finest examples of pub rock ‘n’ roll in Australia. Their latest album (their first in a decade), Ninety Nine, is no different – an insight into the talent this five-piece still possesses and the skill of freshly minted frontman (and former drummer) Nick Norton. Filled with the same energy that made records like Face to Face and No Exit cult classics, Ninety Nine is packed with heart and heat, featuring tight riffs, catchy hooks and hard-hitting lyrics. 

Ahead of their show at Hindley St Music Hall on July 13, founding member Rick Brewster gives us the backstory to Ninety Nine and sits down for one of The Note’s famed Granite Island Discs chats – stay tuned for Rick’s top tracks and what it was like meeting David Bowie in ’78. 

Congrats on the release of Ninety Nine! Tell us more about how this record came to life. 

We began writing and recording for this album 10 years ago. It was put on hold through heavy touring schedules, then COVID-19 and then lineup changes. Last year, with the upcoming 50th anniversary, we decided that nothing would get in the way of us finishing it. We wrote like mad, went into the studio with some new songs and half-baked ideas and just went for it. Nick [Norton] and Sam [Brewster] both immersed themselves in the task and suddenly, we had a whole new batch of finished songs. That final stretch gave us all we needed to complete the album. 

It has been described as a 'benchmark album' – comparable to records like Face to Face and No Exit – for you, what takes this record to the next level?

Ninety Nine has all the crucial elements - the instant ‘hits’, the slow-burners, the intensity of the melodies and the intriguing lyrics. I enjoy sitting back and listening to it.

The Brewster musical thread began with John’s and my grandfather, Hooper Brewster (pianist/composer/conductor), through to our father, Arthur (cellist/conductor) to John and me and now to John's sons Sam, Tom and Harry, and my son Jode. John and I have always said there’s a strong and indefinable connection in the genes which comes through in [our] music. And the amazing Nick Norton out front is just the icing on the cake! 

What's one song from the album you think will surprise listeners?

‘Heart to Heart’. It stands out from any other song on the album. It goes into a very dark place, reminiscent of ‘Dawn Is Breaking’ on the 1979 album No Exit. And the slide guitar solo, played by my Hobart friend Dave Wilson, is simply superb!

What's one song from the album you think will become an immediate Angels classic?

‘Heartbeats’ sits right in the common perception of what an Angels song is. It has all the elements - strong guitar riff, great lyrics, melody, harmonies, melodic solo … nice one, Nick!

GRANITE ISLAND DISCS 

What five songs would you take to the island?

1. Pink Floyd – ‘Comfortably Numb’

2. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble – ‘Lenny’

3. Queen – ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ 

4. The Beatles – ‘Hey Jude’  

5. AC/DC – ‘Down Payment Blues’

If you could only pick one, what would it be?

‘Comfortably Numb’ by Pink Floyd.

What's your favourite album?

Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd.      

What's your favourite song by a South Australian band/artist?

Cold Chisel – ‘Choirgirl’

Favourite music related memory?

We toured with David Bowie in 1978. At the SCG, in the afternoon between his soundcheck and ours, he was sitting on the steps leading up to the stage. I introduced myself and he complimented me on our band. I said how much I liked his band and mentioned how great his light show was. He seemed embarrassed, looked at the ground and said, “Oh, that was my idea.”

Immediately after, I met Adrian Belew, Bowie’s guitarist. He took me to his caravan and showed me some of his guitar “tricks,” which he said he “borrowed” from Jimi Hendricks.

I met two greats in one short hour and learned an unforgettable lesson in humility and the importance of sharing knowledge.

Ninety Nine by The Angels is out now on all streaming platforms. You can listen to it on Spotify here. They’ll take to Hindley St Music Hall on July 13 – are tickets on sale now and available here!