What has Dave Gleeson from The Screaming Jets been up to lately? OR Three Aussie rock legends walk into a bar!!

Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musician

Dave Gleeson pulls over in a car park to chat with us while on a mission to buy his son's birthday present – a perfect snapshot of how this rock legend balances family life with his enduring music career. Now considered an adopted South Australian after 20 years in the state, Dave beams with pride discussing his 17-year-old son's musical talent.

The veteran rocker delivers fascinating insights into how established artists are navigating today's music landscape. "The last album we did cost us 70 grand," Dave reveals, explaining why The Screaming Jets are shifting toward releasing singles rather than full albums. This pivot represents a significant change for career musicians adapting to the streaming era – maintaining relevance through periodic releases while avoiding massive upfront production costs. Fans will be thrilled to hear Dave still has a country album in development, following up his beloved first solo effort.

The conversation turns to his upcoming performance with Australian rock royalty John Swan (73) and Kevin Borich (78) at The Gov. Despite being the "baby" of the trio at 56, Gleeson shares their relentless passion for performance. "I'd hate to be told I couldn't do it anymore, rather than deciding I didn't want to do it anymore," he reflects, revealing the deep connection these veterans feel to their craft. Their show promises an electrifying mix of Screaming Jets, Angels, and Party Boys classics alongside rock standards from AC/DC and more. 

Dave also mentions the "supergroup" Fabulous Caprettos with Jack Jones and Rai Thistlethwayte, who'll be performing seated shows – a format that allows for storytelling between songs but would feel restrictive for his more raucous rock projects. 

Join us for this candid conversation that captures the evolving journey of one of Australia's most beloved rock personalities. 

What has Gleeso been up to lately?  Let's find out!!

Get out when you can, support local music and I'll see you down the front!!

Visit:  ThatRadioChick.com.au

Transcript

Meet Dave Gleeson

Cheryl Lee 0:05

That Radio Cheek Cheryl Lee here . Welcome to the Still Rockin it podcast , where we'll have music news , reviews and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians and artists . These two likely lads , Dave Gleeson and John Swan , are back together , again for one night only , and this time they've brought their mate , Kevin Boric , with them . Supported by the Rob Pippen Band , they're at the Gov at the end of next month playing all your favourite rock songs from each of their bands over the years and a shipload of crowd favourites . We were lucky to catch up with Dave Gleeson as he was en route to buy his son James his birthday present . Don't miss it . If you're in Adelaide , I'll see you down the front . To catch up on podcasts from other favourite artists , simply go to that radio chick . com . au . I'd like to welcome you to the Zoom room today from his local car park , Dave Gleeson . Thanks for joining us , Dave .

Dave Gleeson 1:08

Hey , Cheryl Lee , how are you yeah ?

Cheryl Lee 1:10

well , thanks , we've got a great gig coming up to talk about Before we do I don't know if you know my husband's from a farming community in Victoria and he said the most important question I have to ask you today is about the weather on the farm . How are you going with the dry ?

Dave Gleeson 1:28

Well , it was lovely to get a bit of rain the other day , but we're very lucky that we have a bore and a spring that runs through our property , so we've been able to water what needs to be watered , but our lawns are all brown and yuck , so it's been a pretty long time without some good rain .

Cheryl Lee 1:46

I hope we're at the end of it now and we should start getting a few more rains .

Dave Gleeson 1:51

Yeah , yeah , I mean , when I first moved to Adelaide I hated the cold and the rain , but I've become a true South Australian now , and winter's cold and summer's hot .

Cheryl Lee 2:00

How long have you been here now ? It's over 20 years , right .

Dave Gleeson 2:04

It's 20 years . We moved here . My daughter's about to turn 21 this year . We moved here when she was six months old . So yeah , 20 years .

Cheryl Lee 2:12

We've absolutely , you know adopted you as a South Australian son . Now there's no escaping it .

Dave Gleeson 2:18

No , that's right . No , both my kids are very , very proud South Australians . My boy was born here . He just turned 17 . Got him a nice new drum kit for his birthday .

Cheryl Lee 2:29

So yeah , I'm 17 as well . Number five , my youngest son . He is playing the keyboards .

Dave Gleeson 2:37

Well , we've got to get these kids together .

Cheryl Lee 2:39

They can have a jam . I kept going until I got one I liked . As much as I tried with the first four , none of them had an ounce of musical ability like me Right . But this one can hear a song and play it on the piano Like where did that come from ?

Dave Gleeson 2:57

I'll keep you . Both me kids love music . Only one of them is playing music , Bella . She loves going and seeing bands .

Cheryl Lee 3:05

Yeah , good on her , a woman after my own heart . You've got a whole lot of stuff going on . As usual , dave , there's no rest for the wicked , so you've obviously been pretty wicked . Yeah , you've got

Music Projects and Industry Changes

Cheryl Lee 3:16

some stuff with the Jets , some stuff with the fabulous Caprettos , and then , of course , you've got this Huge gig coming up . The Jets have got the Broke Barbecue Festival in June , on the long weekend .

Dave Gleeson 3:27

Yeah , we've only done some very sporadic choreo playing with the Jets lately . We did a couple of shows over the last four weeks and then , yeah , not much until the end of the year . We're just kind of we're doing some recording , doing some songwriting later on this month and , yeah , hopefully we'll get some songs out of it so we can . You know , it's all different now , sure , with , uh , with doing albums . I mean , the last album we did , professional misconduct , cost us 70 grand or something like that , and it's very hard to make that up through album sales . Obviously you can make up the the difference between the recording costs and that by touring . But uh , yeah , we're kind of embracing this new model of record a couple of songs , get them out there , get people kind of just keep people knowing that you're still alive and still out there making some new music .

Cheryl Lee 4:14

You're actually the second artist in two days to say that exact same thing , and I think that's what the Super Jesus did as well .

Dave Gleeson 4:21

Yeah , a lot of the bands are doing it now Because I've got a country album I want to do as well , and I think it's more country's still more amenable to actually bringing out albums , whereas rock , look , it depends , I guess , where you sit in the scheme of things . I mean , obviously , the big bands . If Foo Fighters bring out an album next week , it'll be massive and you know same goes for a lot of bands . But you know same goes for a lot of bands . But you know you just kind of you've got to find where you can make the most impact and uh , yeah , look , I love making albums . It's you know what makes bands bands as far as I'm concerned . But kind of , you know , promote the touring and and get people bums on seats . You know you are listening to Still Rockin it . The podcast with Cheryl Lee .

Cheryl Lee 5:07

I think I've asked Dave every time I've spoken to him the last half a dozen times when is his next solo country album coming out ? I didn't dare ask him this time because I didn't want him to think I was nagging , but you heard it first here . Folks , it is a thing , it's in the works . Here is a song from his first solo album Wanted man , those rusty train tracks , get your tissues . It's a beautiful song , gets lots of spins on my radio show .

Gleeson, Swan, Borich Show Preview

Dave Gleeson 9:46

I'm actually I've got a bit of a jaunt going on because of that . I'm a bit of an ambassador for the Airlie Beach Festival . So myself and Katie and the kids , we're all flying up to Airlie Beach for a week on the house of the Queensland Tourism Association .

Cheryl Lee 10:01

You're lucky , but do you need another daughter then ? So that's the Screaming Jets , and I Googled the fabulous Caprettos to get the date , and you come up as super group .

Dave Gleeson 10:15

Yeah , look , I'm very lucky to be involved in that . I mean Jack Jones , one of the greatest singers , slash guitarists . The country's produced Rai Thistlethwayte just an amazing musician . It's unbelievable to be in his presence and we've done it over the last couple of tours with Russell Morris . He's been there from the start . But Russell's given up , he's decided he's had enough of the industry and he's just going to enjoy his retirement .

Cheryl Lee 10:41

So you've got Joe .

Dave Gleeson 10:42

Joe Camillieri .

Cheryl Lee 10:43

Wendy .

Dave Gleeson 10:43

Matthews is doing some as well .

Cheryl Lee 10:45

And I'm so glad you know I'm off for a month in the US on the back of a . Harley doing Route 66 .

Dave Gleeson 10:53

Are you now ?

Cheryl Lee 10:53

I'm glad that you got your people to speak to my people , your gig with Swanee and Byridge at the Gov . I'll be just back for , oh , and that's the thing , the Fabulous Capretos . You are at the Hindley Street Musical and it's seated . You're getting a bit posh now .

Dave Gleeson 11:11

Yeah , I don't know about seated gigs . I mean we've done a bunch of those type of things and it's all right in its place . I mean with the Caprettos it'll be good because we all kind of share stories and stuff like that on stage . I mean there's quite a bit of banter that goes on . So it's all right to be suited with the Caprettos , jets not so much , angels not so much . I mean we did some stuff with the Angels where we did like theatres and stuff . People just want to rock out when they hear that type of music . So it makes a little bit of a different experience .

Cheryl Lee 11:47

Exactly . This won't surprise you . My tickets for the Hindley Street gig with your Caprettos is row A , seat 13 .

Dave Gleeson 11:58

I'll see you down the front , so you'll be in front of where all the action's happening . You'll be a front row seat for me playing tambourine . Yeah , that's it .

Cheryl Lee 12:06

So the dates for the Fabulous Caprettos , the super group 10 dates in July , Adelaide the 25th , still rocking the podcast with that radio chick , cheryl Lee . The great Kevin Borich from the La-Di-Da's and the Party Boys and the Kevin Borich Express is joining up with Gleeso and Swanee and he also recorded a song with the outgoing Capretto , Russell Morris , on his recent Duets album . And here it is Call a Friend . And then we're back to say farewell to Dave Gleeson from the Screaming Jets and formerly the Angels and the Fabulous Capretto's and Gleeson , Swan Borich hey there .

Dave Gleeson 12:48

This is Russell Morris , and I'm with Cheryl Lee .

Dave Gleeson 15:37

Oh , that's amazing . I mean , obviously Swanee and Kevin Boric's relationship goes back a long , long way . Kb has to be the coolest looking rocker in town . He's got his shirt open . He's got his cool chest hanging out . He rips out the guitar like nobody's business . It'll be such an asset to have him there on the night . It'll be unreal .

Cheryl Lee 15:59

Does he actually know what he's got himself in for Dave ?

Dave Gleeson 16:04

Look , he knows Swanee better than I do . I'm sure they know their limitations .

Cheryl Lee 16:11

Have you been on the stage with Kevin before ?

Dave Gleeson 16:14

I reckon I have . We did a bit of a party boys thing . It wasn't the official party boys , but it was a thing that we did in Sydney and I was lucky enough to share the stage with KB there . Oh man , I mean , in our first band we used to play the La Di Da song . I'm Going to See my Baby .

Cheryl Lee 16:33

Tonight I'm Going to See my Baby .

Dave Gleeson 16:34

So yeah , to be sharing the stage with a legend like him and Swanee . I mean , I saw Swanee on Countdown a little while ago and he had all the moves , old Swanee .

Cheryl Lee 16:44

Yeah , cool Dude . So John is 73 , kevin is 78 , and you're the baby at 56 .

Dave Gleeson 16:53

I'm not even in my 60s yet .

Cheryl Lee 16:54

No , last time we spoke , you had had a couple of health issues .

Dave Gleeson 16:58

I'm just checking Do you still reckon you're going to be ?

Cheryl Lee 17:01

rocking it in 20 years like these blokes .

Dave Gleeson 17:05

Yeah , I reckon I am . I mean , I look after myself much better now than I used to . I have , you know , three

ACDC and Party Boys Memories

Dave Gleeson 17:10

days a week on the drink and four days off , so that's I've turned a corner there . But look as far as looking after yourself so that you can still do it . That's the main thing . I mean , I'd hate to . I'd hate to be told I couldn't do it anymore , rather than deciding that I didn't want to do it anymore .

Cheryl Lee 17:28

Kevin and John have both agreed , so I think I'm going to be catching up with you for a TV interview , like last time , perhaps in the rehearsal space for an episode of Rider TV , when the three of you were all in our same town at the same time .

Dave Gleeson 17:43

Excellent , that'll be great . I mean , yeah , I could just sit there . When I do interviews and I was the same with John and Rick Brewster I generally just sit there enjoying the stories they're telling .

Cheryl Lee 17:55

The ones they're allowed to tell .

Dave Gleeson 17:57

Yeah , yeah , of course , the ones that won't get them cancelled for something they did 40 years ago .

Cheryl Lee 18:01

Yeah , exactly , we're really looking forward to seeing you guys at the Gov Friday the 30th . I'll probably still have jet lag , but I'll be ready to rock .

Dave Gleeson 18:15

Well , thanks , yeah , I can't wait . I mean the songs that we do . Obviously there'll be some jets and some songs that everyone knows 24 , and we throw a few angels in there , and then , of course , we just pick a bunch of songs that we know the crowd's going to love and we're going to have a great time belting out Some Aka Daka , some Aka Daka . Oh , definitely Aka Daka .

Cheryl Lee 18:35

Yeah , there'll be the Party Boys , I'd imagine .

Dave Gleeson 18:38

Yes , definitely . Yeah , I mean people forget . I mean when I was touring with the Angels and a guy , clinton Braddock , who used to be their tour manager to the Party Boys or used to be their roadie , he reconciled 72 weeks in a row during that time of the Party Boys' success , with John Brewster and Swanee out the front . So I mean people forget just how massive that touring entity was .

Cheryl Lee 19:05

That's nearly 18 months non-stop .

Dave Gleeson 19:07

I know , I know it's wild .

Cheryl Lee 19:10

What kept them going ?

Dave Gleeson 19:12

Well , one could only wonder

Cheryl Lee 19:16

Thank you , very much for pulling over in the car park and having a quick chat with us today .

Dave Gleeson 19:21

No worries , cheryl . Sorry , I had to do that . As I said , it's my boy's birthday tomorrow . I had to rush down and pick him up some extras for his drum kit , so I was caught on the hop . Sorry about that .

Cheryl Lee 19:33

Not at all . You know what ? The

Farewell and Rock On

Cheryl Lee 19:35

most important job that you've got to do today is dad .

Dave Gleeson 19:38

Yeah , that's right .

Cheryl Lee 19:40

Oh , not just today , every day , every day .

Dave Gleeson 19:43

Yeah , that's right .

Cheryl Lee 19:44

You'll never have an argument from me . I appreciate you spending a quick few minutes with us and I'll see you when I get back from the US . I'll see you down the front .

Dave Gleeson 19:53

No worries , you have a great time over there .

Cheryl Lee 19:55

Thank you , I will . I'll see you at the rehearsal .

Dave Gleeson 19:58

No worries .

Cheryl Lee 19:59

Bye for now .

Dave Gleeson 20:00

Cheers . See you , Shelley .

Cheryl Lee 20:01

I've got to go back to work .

Dave Gleeson 20:02

Okay , bye . You are listening to Still Rocking it the podcast with Cheryl Lee .

Cheryl Lee 20:10

Well , what else can I play but the party boys to take us out ? And here they are , coincidentally with an ACDC song , their version of Let there Be Rock .

Speaker 1 20:27

Back in 1955 , man doesn't know about a rock'n'roll show .

Cheryl Lee 20:31

I know that , yeah , you're with Cheryl Lee , that radio chick . Thank you so much for joining me on the Still Rocking it podcast . Hope to catch you again next time . Get out when you can support Aussie music and I'll see you down the front .