Hunters: Living in a Powerstation

Rip It Up, Issue 222, 1 February 1996, Page 8

Hunters: Living in a Powerstation

MURRAY CAMMICK

Hot on the heels of their live double album, Living in Large Rooms and Lounges, Hunters & Collectors play Auckland’s Powerstation Feb 23 and 24. With Barry Palmer’s spin-off project Deadstar (“a little three-piece band” says guitarist Jeremy Smith), and a Mark Seymour solo album in production, Smith is quick to deny that all of Hunters are doing the solo thing. “We’re not like Kiss with every member of the band doing a solo album.” The first live disc in the set is the semi-acoustic Live at the Continental Cafe, a hip Melbourne eatery with tables for a few and standing room for many. “It sounds like a cabaret but it’s really good playing in an intimate venue. It’s really popular for all sorts of music from thrash to jazz. I don’t think they serve dinner with thrash.” This format has grown out of a couple of Hunters doing one or two songs as promotional appearances on TV or radio shows. "It feels real fresh doing it.” The band are currently on a summer tour after six months off. “It happens every year,” says Jeremy, “We tour January and we miss every Big Day Out.” Why no ‘Talking to a Stranger’? “The line-up of the band is different,” says Jeremy, “It’s just history.”