You Am I - Like a rolling stone

“It doesn’t matter if you are playing to one person or a thousand you just got to do it because you love it.”
It’s just a plain and simple fact, a blunt and unpolished truth hammered home over the phone by veteran of rock and drummer of You Am I, Rusty Hopkinson.

“If you don’t do it, you end up a slobbering mess drinking methylated spirits in the garbage. Because musicians are the most hopeless people in the world and for good reason, as soon as you get sensible people music making music…it sucks.”

If ever a band encompassed the heart and soul of Australian rock 'n' roll with all the bravado and gusto that truly represents the chaotic whims of the rock gods, it is You Am I. They have written songs that have been pulsing out on the airwaves, stood in front of thousands at far too many festivals to mention and have released no less than six studio recordings, now on the verge of releasing their seventh. It is safe to say that if ever you compiled a soundtrack to your life, You Am I would hold at least one track that would suit your mood. For nearly over a decade and a half these four lads had laid down the laws of rock. They are idols among those that are up and coming and they are respected and revered by those that have shared as stage with them.

“I think we are one of those bands, not trying to big note ourselves in anyway, but bands kind of like the Velvet Underground or Iggy and The Stooges. They say, not many people listen to those bands but some kids who do go out and form a band and will name check us or tell us we were an influence. I don’t know why that is. I think there is a certain comradery and I think we’ve not really given a fuck too much,"

Not giving a fuck seems to be a hallmark of the You Am I mentality. This is not to say that they don’t pour a lavish amount of effort into their work and performances or have a lack respect for their fans. It’s more to say they don’t go for the hypocritical ego trips and temper tantrums that rock 'n' roll tends to be plagued with these days. That extra slice of the pie has never appealed to them and adopting the traits of one of the Gallagher brothers is not something they are willing to do. Though there are some laments.

“I don’t own a Hollywood mansion,” Rusty jokes.

“At the same time we never had the commercial viability or the opportunity like Jet or the Vines. I don’t think we were quite young enough or quite wide eyed to be sucked into a priority driven major label deal. It’s more important to get out there, tour and play music. Being a rich miserable rock star doesn’t really appeal to us.”

The boys are currently in the process of recording their seventh studio album in Sydney. To be expected, there is a lot of excitement bussin around the albums release. Having to follow in the footsteops of their widely successful album 'Deliverance' released 2002, it looks as if this album will provide something new, something borrowed and something blue.

“Every record takes on different influences and kind of the way we play might be different. From what we’ve recorded, were only half way through it, it’s a got some quintessential you am I moments and it’s got some things a little bit different.

“With all our records Tim always writes strong songs and we apply a certain style too it which is really good and that’s what you kind of get.”

You Am I, throughout their career, have maintained a standard. A standard which AC/DC laid down lyrically in their distorted anthem 'Long Way to the Top'. You Am I have rock grit, determination and an unbiased “fuck you” to the collective main stream - always have been and always will. For better or worse, You Am I have said and done what they wanted, when they wanted, always on their own terms. They are true outlaws amongst the rock 'n' roll collective.

You Am I are playing this years Meredith Music Festival from the 9th to the 11th of December. www.mmf.com.au

Share this article on Facebook