This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ classic album Abbey Road, and four of Australia’s favourite musicians – members of some of our most beloved bands – collectively known as ARC are set to bring the record to life on stage. Kram (Spiderbait), Mark Wilson (Jet), Davey Lane (You Am I) and Darren Middleton (Powderfinger) will play the album in full at Perth Concert Hall on Sunday, August 11 along with a selection of the Fab Four’s greatest hits in a second set. BRAYDEN EDWARDS caught up with all four self-confessed Beatles tragics to find out about what they love most about the Liverpool quartet, including their favourite songs, one-liners and tunes they’re looking forward to playing onstage most of all.
Kram (Spiderbait)
I guess I’m Ringo but wish I was John. They think I’m Ringo too but wish they were John. Except for Davey who wishes he was Paul. He’s actually met him too!
Darren Middleton (Powderfinger)
Paul. If I’m totally honest with myself, his songs just resonate with me the most. His output is incredible. The others see me as George no doubt, as I play guitar…but those who know me best, may actually say Paul.
Mark Wilson (Jet)
I don’t see myself as a member of The Beatles. I’d be happy with Klaus Voormann.
Davey Lane (You Am I)
Maybe Paul because he made records on his own, playing all instruments himself and I like doing that too. But maybe John, because he channelled his angst into his songs, and I tend to do that I think. The best songs don’t come from everything being sunshine and lollipops. But maybe George, because he loved slide guitar and ukulele, and I like those things too. He seemed to have his shit well sorted out, which I aspire to with varying degrees of success. Sorry, Ringo.
The others probably see me as George, because his older brothers in his band wrote amazing songs, and he learned from them, with Timmy Rogers being both my Lennon and McCartney. But maybe Paul because he was always a bit of a control freak when it came to his own work.
Kram (Spiderbait)
Probably For No One off Revolver. Every breakup I’ve ever had I listened to it relentlessly. It became so weird as eventually over time when I heard the song it made me happy, not sad. Plus I love the French Horn solo by Alan Civil. I’m a big fan of Dennis Brain who I think would have played it had he lived. Alan was his best mate and compatriot. So I guess the song has a few meanings for me, about loss and transition in life.
Darren Middleton (Powderfinger)
This is always the hardest question to answer as it simply is fluid, depending on the moment. Right now, at this very moment, I will say I’m So Tired from The White Album. This song interests me because it’s one of the rare songs John Lennon wrote that is fairly straight forward, lyrically. It’s not shrouded in metaphor or character, it’s a fairy accurate account of when he was in India.
Mark Wilson (Jet)
Hard to really select a single song. Tomorrow Never Knows always blows my mind.
Davey Lane (You Am I)
Hey Bulldog. It’s not one that’s played to death and it’s got their greatest riff and McCartney’s best bassline.
Kram (Spiderbait)
“I got blisters on my fingers!”
Darren Middleton (Powderfinger)
Ringo said to me a few years ago, “can you play? Then do it yourself!” When I asked him if he could play drums on one of my songs.
Mark Wilson (Jet)
Reporter: Tell me, how did you find America?
John: Turn left at Greenland
Davey Lane (You Am I)
Same for me!
Kram (Spiderbait)
Everything about them is impossible to emulate. What we’re trying to do is celebrate this record and the band as fans and musicians.
Darren Middleton (Powderfinger)
To me, they are not to be emulated, they are to be aspired to. We play their songs, but you can never sound like them. You can, however, hold their ethos in mind while playing. You can push the boundaries, apply who you are to the art.
Mark Wilson (Jet)
Playing Paul’s incredible and complex bass parts perfectly.
Davey Lane (You Am I)
You can try to emulate their sound and some of their devices in a songwriting sense but you can’t emulate the fact they did it first and they did it best. And this is coming from someone who’s been trying to emulate the Beatles all of his life.
Kram (Spiderbait)
They loved skiffle.
Darren Middleton (Powderfinger)
Frank Sinatra once said that Something was the greatest love song ever written. Considering his body of work, that’s a massive compliment!
Mark Wilson (Jet)
John and George bought a supermarket in Hayling Island and gave it to The Quarrymen’s (precursor to the Beatles) washboard player Pete Shotton. Shotton would later manage the ill-fated Apple Boutique and was the first managing director of Apple Corps.
Davey Lane (You Am I)
They had planned to record Revolver at Stax in Memphis. Probably best they didn’t as we wouldn’t get Revolver in the form we got it, but it’s a pretty cool “coulda been” eh?
Kram (Spiderbait)
I Want You (She’s So Heavy). It’s nuts and a bit fucked up with that amazing crescendo that cuts to silence.
Darren Middleton (Powderfinger)
Same for me here with I Want You (She’s So Heavy). What a jam. Golden Slumbers is possibly my favourite, short moment on Abbey Road and I’m going to sing the hell out of it!
Mark Wilson (Jet)
Something, what a tune and as a bass player this is quintessential Paul McCartney. Melodic, complex and so hooky but it always stays away from the vocal melodies.
Davey Lane (You Am I)
You Never Give Me Your Money. It’s gonna be a tricky bugger because it’s got loads of curly changes. But what changes they are – my lord!!
