Still Rockin' It - Cheryl Lee
Join Cheryl Lee That Radio Chick on Still Rockin' It for news, reviews and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians.
What are they up to at the moment? Let's find out .......
Still Rockin' It - Cheryl Lee
What has Sam Brewster from The Angels been up to lately? OR This is it folks .... over the top !!
Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musician
Fifty years after they first plugged in, The Angels continue to electrify Australian music with an undeniable energy that spans generations. Bass player Sam Brewster—son of founding member John—takes us deep into the band's remarkable evolution and enduring legacy.
The Brewster musical DNA runs deeper than most realize. Sam reveals how his family's artistic roots stretch back to his great-grandfather who performed in the first Australian Symphony Orchestra, his grandfather who conducted for the ABC, and now continues through a third generation with Sam on bass and brother Tom recently joining on drums. This musical heritage creates a powerful through-line in The Angels' sound—authentic rock that honors tradition while embracing fresh creative directions.
Sam offers fascinating insights into the band's current chapter, including their lineup changes, with drummer Nick Norton stepping into the frontman role and the release of their latest album "Ninety Nine." He shares the technical challenges of balancing parenthood with rock stardom, the complex process of modernizing their stage technology, and his personal musical inspirations ranging from Jeff Buckley to AC/DC. The conversation weaves through five decades of Angels history, from their humble beginnings as the Moonshine Jug and String Band to becoming one of Australia's most influential rock acts—a band Axl Rose credits as a primary inspiration for forming Guns N' Roses.
The Angels' Go For Broke tour represents everything this iconic band stands for—honoring their classic hits while showcasing new material that proves their creative fire burns as bright as ever. With 13 studio albums, 8 top 10 albums, and 17 top 40 singles behind them, The Angels remain a vital force in Australian music.
Experience their electrifying live show in a city near you and witness firsthand why Jimmy Barnes called them "a band that changed Australian music forever."
Follow The Angels at theangels.com.au and catch their nationwide tour to hear Sam's picks from the new album—"Heartbeats" and "Little Lies"—alongside the classics that shaped Australian rock.
Go For Broke tour tickets here: https://theangels.com.au/
What Sam Brewster from The Angels 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
That Radio Chick 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. Today we celebrate a band who has 13 studio albums, 8 top 10 albums, 17 top 40 singles. But that's only part of this band's story. The Angels and its relationship with the audience, built by thousands of gigs, means everything to the band An exhilarating exchange of energy. As founding member Rick Brewster says, the hour and a half on stage is what makes it all worthwhile. This is it Folks Over the Top remains an irresistible rallying cry to rock and roll, Even with 50 years behind them. There's an exciting new chapter in the Angels story a new album released last year, a new tour going on. As we speak we're going to chat to one of the young Brewster brothers, son of John, Sam Brewster. To catch up on podcasts from other favourite artists, simply go to thatradiochickcomau.
Sam Brewster:Yo, it's Cheryl Lee that Radio Chick and I'd like to welcome back into the Zoom room today part of the Brewster legacy, Sam Brewster. Thank you. Thanks for having me, yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Bass player for the Angels. We've got some exciting stuff to talk about. There's a tour going on and you're coming to the legendary Bridgeway. Just wanted to go back a tiny little bit before we go forward, and I know we've spoken a few times, but I was thinking what can I ask, Sam, that I haven't asked before? I just wanted to quickly touch on your family legacy, because it isn't just dad John and uncle Rick Brewster that founded the angels. Your South Australian musical history goes back even further, doesn't it?
Sam Brewster:Yeah, it goes back to my great grandfather who was in the first ASO, the very first one on yeah, he was on piano, I think and then my grandfather dad's old man who was the conductor and the director of music for the ABC.
Cheryl Lee:Yeah, there is definitely music in your DNA. It's in your genes. It goes back a long way in our state, not just your dad and your uncle One set of Brewster brothers You've joined, and one of your brothers has joined the Angels as well.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, yeah, Tom's on the drums now, so going. Well, yeah, I don't know how he fits it all in, because he's also got a real job, you know, has he. Yeah.
Cheryl Lee:After 12 years, with Dave Gleeson up front, he's left and you brought your drummer, nick Norton, who was 12 years on the drums, back there forward as your lead singer. Is that two years now?
Sam Brewster:Yeah, it's about two years, yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Yeah, just over two years.
Sam Brewster:Yep.
Cheryl Lee:You needed a new drummer, yeah, so you just kept it in the family.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, well, I mean, yeah, it sort of caught me by surprise actually that Tom was able to do it. I didn't think he was and my old man said, no, Tom's put his hand up for it, he's able to do it. He's able to make his work. You know, make the band work around his job.
Cheryl Lee:So yeah, You've got another brother.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, harry, what's Harry?
Cheryl Lee:going to do in the band.
Sam Brewster:Well, I mean, yeah, who knows? But Harry's pretty busy at his school. He's a music teacher, high school music teacher, yeah. So you know it's a pretty demanding job. He's just doing a musical at the moment, actually.
Cheryl Lee:What instruments does he play?
Sam Brewster:just for future reference.
Cheryl Lee:He plays guitar, yeah, he could fill in for your dad or your uncle.
Sam Brewster:He could and he has.
Cheryl Lee:Well, that's good to see that you've kept the family lines going, and last time we spoke had your little one just started to show some promise with music.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, he's not. Well, I've got two little ones and one of them is very much into gardening and that kind of thing and not overly into music yet Then the littlest one seems to actually be more interested in. You know, I take him to things like I call it singing babies I don't even know what it's really called, but one of those things at the local library where we sing nursery rhymes and he loves that. He's just over one and, yeah, anytime something comes on that he likes, he dances and yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Oh Well, you said that your other brother was a music teacher and was doing a musical. You taught at my son's high school and actually taught him for a short time. They did Aladdin at Adelaide High last month. Oh, okay, as their musical this year.
Sam Brewster:He's not still at school, though, is he no?
Cheryl Lee:No, no, but number five is Charlie. Oh, okay, right, right, guess who played Aladdin.
Sam Brewster:Who? Oh Charlie, oh, really, yeah Okay.
Cheryl Lee:The lead in a musical.
Sam Brewster:Oh, wow.
Cheryl Lee:I can't believe that that child came out of me. Yeah, he's talented.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, right, awesome. Yeah, I haven't done teaching for a while, yeah.
Cheryl Lee:So you're busy doing bass playing but also tour managing of the band.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, yep that, and then also parenting.
Cheryl Lee:Well, that's the most important job.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, yeah, I don't get much time to do anything else than, yeah, parenting the angels tour, managing Yep.
Cheryl Lee:And you try and get a bit of sleep in there.
Sam Brewster:A bit of sleep, a lot of gym.
Cheryl Lee:When I rest for the weekend. You must have been pretty bad.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, probably, I don't know. I'm pretty good these days.
Cheryl Lee:We haven't got time not to be, have you?
Sam Brewster:Yeah, that's right you are listening to Still Rocking it of the Angels cannot be denied.
Cheryl Lee:In 1970, the Moonshine Jug and String Band starts in Adelaide with brothers John and Rick Brewster. In 71, they play my Ponga alongside Black Sabbath, daddy Cool and Fraternity, and Bernard Doc Neeson joins them. In 74 they go electric, become the Keystone Angels, their first gig at the Modbury Hotel in Adelaide and that year they support Cheech and Chong at Febby Theatre. 1975 they perform at Sunbury tour as Chuck Berry's backing band, support ACDC, play with I Can Tuna Turner and release this single Keep On Dancing, written by Brewster, neeson and Brewster. I think this is the oldest Angels track that I can find. Then we're back to speak about the newest music, a massive 55 years after this single with one of the next generation of Brewster Brothers, bass player Sam. We've got the Go For Broke tour and you are coming to Adelaide at the Bridgeway in Paraka on the 2nd of August, so I'll see you down the front then Awesome, You're only everywhere man Get onto theangelscomau to see when you're heading to their town.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, absolutely yeah. We kick off next week in Melbourne, so we've got Torquay and the Corner in Richmond. Yeah, then we go to WA, sydney and then Brisbane, finish up in Adelaide.
Cheryl Lee:You saved the best till last.
Sam Brewster:That's right.
Cheryl Lee:You had your 50th anniversary last year. Go For Broke is about celebrating the band's past, present and future.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, well, we haven't got any new songs beyond um 99, you know, but I guess a lot of people won't have heard those. I mean, that came out last year. So yeah, we're still really excited to play those songs. They still feel new, still feel really fresh.
Cheryl Lee:So yeah, the title track of the album is 99, and did you write that with nick?
Sam Brewster:yeah, so it's my music's, Nick's lyrics, and it's my guitar playing as well, except for the solo, yeah, Rick's, solo. Everything else is basically me on guitar and bass, and yeah congratulations on the album and the new go for broke tour.
Cheryl Lee:Your pr sent me your bio this morning. It's 17 pages. Oh yeah, the Angels has got a pretty full-on hectic history, hasn't it? From way back in 1970, when John and Rick started with the Moonshine Jug and String Band, you've really become part of the Australian music landscape. We all grew up listening to your music of the Australian music landscape. We all grew up listening to your music From where you sit, sam, do you realise how important your family is to South Australia and Australian music?
Sam Brewster:Yeah, I guess you know, because I'm in it I don't really spend much time thinking about that aspect of it. But yeah, it's nice to know that. You know that some people hold us in that kind of regard. Yeah, but yeah, I mean, most of the time we're just sort of getting on with. You know the nuts and bolts of things and planning the next tour and you know writing the next song or whatever.
Cheryl Lee:Yeah, Head down, bum up.
Sam Brewster:Pretty much. Yeah, there's not too much time for a reflection.
Cheryl Lee:Not yet.
Sam Brewster:No.
Cheryl Lee:We've talked in the past at length and in depth about all sorts of things. Yeah, but are you game to have?
Sam Brewster:some quickfire questions with me, sure.
Cheryl Lee:Okay, favourite song of all time.
Sam Brewster:Oh, putting me on the spot now. I don't know, that's a really hard question. I reckon maybe Grace by Jeff Buckley yeah, that's pretty perfect that song. So many ups and downs and twists and turns and things, and then it just keeps building and keeps getting more epic and by the end it's just, yeah, the whole album is just brilliant and it's just the last album he made. And then he drowned in a river, went swimming one day and yeah, that was it. You know he wasn't drunk or anything, I don't think.
Cheryl Lee:I think he just went in fully clothed, just went for a swim and, yeah, very sad favorite album of all time yeah, I have that one too tough questions we can come back to that one, if you like, favorite live band you've seen favorite live band would be okay, I'll give you my favorite or the most amazing show I've seen.
Sam Brewster:That was unexpected. Was my sugar in in Sweden at one in the morning? Yeah, and it was still kind of light over there because it was in the middle of summer so the sun never really quite sets, but yeah, it was sort of like dusk-ish and yeah, they're like a Swedish, you know death metal band. Yeah, went out and watched them the night before we played at one in the morning and, yeah, pretty amazing, awesome.
Cheryl Lee:Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick, cheryl Lee. We're going to have Sam Brewster's favourite song of all time now, grace by Jeff Buckley from the Grace album. And then we're back to finish up our quickfire questions with Sam Brewster from the Angels going for broke and coming to a town near you soon. Most influential artists on your career other than the obvious dad and uncle.
Sam Brewster:It's another hard one. There's so many, so many when you narrow it down to one.
Cheryl Lee:What about just the first three that you think of that have been influential on your career?
Sam Brewster:Yeah, okay, probably ACDC or definitely ACDC as one. I mean, you know and a lot of what they do on stage and on their records, yeah, I'd have to say, metallica when I was growing up was a big part of you know how I learnt to play guitar, and then probably Jimi Hendrix as well. Yeah, I'd say those three.
Cheryl Lee:I think they influenced a lot of well, I was going to say Australian artists, but I think artists all over the world.
Sam Brewster:Yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Did you get your ACDC tickets this morning?
Sam Brewster:No, I haven't. I actually forgot they went on sale today. Are they already sold out?
Cheryl Lee:I haven't heard yet that they're sold out. I had constant anxiety sitting at my computer. Very, very stressful.
Sam Brewster:I was very happy to get mine, yeah, right, yeah, back in the day, you used to have to sleep out for those sort of things. Exactly I've done that a couple of times, but yeah, hopefully I'll get to see them again.
Cheryl Lee:Did you see them last time they were here?
Sam Brewster:Not the last time I saw them. The last one was on the Stiff Upper Lip Tour back a little while now.
Cheryl Lee:It doesn't seem like that long ago, but I think that was about 2012, maybe this could very well be the last time I would say it would be yeah, I hope you get tickets and if you do, I'll see you down the front because I've got the ones in the mosh.
Sam Brewster:Oh, you have Awesome, Of course you do Now alive or dead.
Cheryl Lee:Who would you most like to collaborate with? Oh, Jimi Hendrix. Would he be up?
Sam Brewster:there? Yeah, he would be, but I don't know if he'd be as much of a collaborator. As you know, he's definitely a band leader and you know, yeah, Hmm, Maybe Pat Metheny. I reckon that'd be really interesting. I mean, he's a bit the same. Like you know, he's got this whole. He's got this record where he's got this room full of instruments and he's controlling them all with his guitar and solenoids and makes a whole record just like that, Just programs everything just from his guitar, and yeah, I think that'd be really interesting.
Cheryl Lee:Have you received a piece of advice that has been invaluable to you.
Sam Brewster:It can be from one of your family members. These are hard questions. They're very hard questions. Yeah, yeah, I'd need to think about that.
Cheryl Lee:Yeah, all right. One of the most challenging moments in your career so far? There's probably been too many, has?
Sam Brewster:there? No, not really. Look, I mean, yeah, I can't think of anything that's, you know, been. Oh, I mean, everything's difficult to a degree, but what's the most challenging? I'll give you a recent one getting our new monitor system working last year.
Sam Brewster:Technology, Technology, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's probably been some of those shows. Last year we did with MySex and we invested in a new monitor system for our ears. I don't know if you've noticed we wear these things on stage. Yeah, and just getting that ironing out all the kinks in that week to week and kind of like, you know, staying up at night, you know, getting off the plane and going straight back into it trying to work out.
Cheryl Lee:Yeah, because the show must go on right.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, and you know it took quite a while and it was much harder than I thought it would be. We're also helping the other bands out by running them through it as well. It was Dwight, our tech, and I. Yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Well done, I think. I know another one probably Balancing Fatherhood and Rockstardom.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, well, actually that's not as tricky because you know, luckily I've got a really good wife who's very supportive of it all.
Cheryl Lee:Behind every successful man is a good woman.
Sam Brewster:Absolutely yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Last one, an angel's song that you wish people heard more. I won't say the word underrated. An angel's song that you wish was out there and more popular, more listened to.
Sam Brewster:Well, I'd have to say some of the new stuff you know, because every band wishes that right, every classic band whose hits the radio only play the old hits. You want them to play the new ones. So I'd say probably, maybe off the new album, probably Heartbeats actually that's one of my favourites, heartbeats or Little Lies. Yeah, little Lies is probably my favourite on the record, but I think Heartbeats would probably have a wider appeal. You are listening to Still Rocking it, the podcast with Cheryl Lee.
Cheryl Lee:Let's have both of those songs, shall we? Why stop at one? From the 99 album, first up Heartbeats, followed by Little Lies, and then we're back to say goodbye to bass guitarist, tour manager and the technical go-to guy, sam Brewster.
Sam Brewster:It's a feeble compromise, as we all swallow smiles Staggering, weary dinosaur Fear of the burned out industry Knocking back drinks at lunch.
Cheryl Lee:Was there anything else that you specifically wanted to mention, Sam I?
Sam Brewster:don't think so. No, I think you've grilled me on some tough questions.
Cheryl Lee:Sorry about that.
Sam Brewster:No, no, it's all good Kicking me on the toes.
Cheryl Lee:We talked at the beginning about being such an integral part of the Australian music landscape. I just read recently that. Jimmy Barnes. So another South Australian said of the Angels they're a band that changed Australian music forever. Now that's a bit of a compliment.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, absolutely.
Cheryl Lee:Because that's what you want to do, I would imagine, as an artist, as a band.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, well, I mean certainly back then. You know, I think it's definitely harder to do now. There's just so many bands out there, but yeah, the band of that time with Doc and yeah, it was pretty exciting. I mean, I think it's timeless. You know, still watch some of that footage now, like Narara and things like that.
Cheryl Lee:Oh, absolutely, I just watched that, held my breath as he climbed up the stacks, even though I knew he didn't fall down. You're still like, oh yeah, the Angels didn't just influence Australian bands. Found another quote from Axl Rose. One of the main reasons this band so Guns N' Roses got together was a song called Take a Long Line Right. Did you know that?
Sam Brewster:I did. I've read that somewhere before. Yeah, I mean, I know, axl, you know, sometimes you know that I did. I've read that somewhere before. Yeah, I mean, I know, axl, you know, sometimes you know they do Marseille at a soundcheck or whatever he's done it in. You know Guns N' Roses pre-slash and Duff when they had that, you know, and they broke up for a while. Yeah.
Cheryl Lee:That just goes to show that the Brewster family, band or the. Angels has made its mark On not just South Australian music, not just Australian music, but the worldwide music landscape.
Sam Brewster:So thank you for doing that and thank you for all the music, and all the music that is yet to come. Well, you're welcome, I guess. I mean, I don't know if I can take any credit for that, like I'm kind of a ring in on that one, but you know, I still sort of think of myself as quite a new member.
Cheryl Lee:You and your brother and even Nick, are part of the reason we can still go out, go to the Go For Broke tour and see you guys still play all our favourite songs. Live, get to experience the new.
Sam Brewster:Angels music as well, If it wasn't for you that might not be happening, so thanks again. Thank you yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Look forward to seeing you at the Bridgeway.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, that should be a good one. Hopefully. It's been a while since we've done that one.
Cheryl Lee:Well, it's good that the Bridgeway is playing live music again.
Sam Brewster:Yeah, have you been to Hindley Street Music Hall? Yeah, yeah, I was there a couple of weeks ago. That's a great venue. I'd love to do that one again.
Cheryl Lee:It is. It's a great venue that one again.
Sam Brewster:It is. It's a great venue. Yeah, I saw Snarky Puppy there a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if you know them. Yeah, great band. Yeah, no vocals. It's just kind of jazz fusion, you know, rock jazz sort of thing. It's cool yeah.
Cheryl Lee:Snarky.
Sam Brewster:Puppy, check it out.
Cheryl Lee:Alright. Well, you have a good rest of your day, Sam, and thank you for spending a bit of time with us once again in the Zoom room. All the best, thanks for having me Go for broke tour Rock, everybody's socks off.
Sam Brewster:Cheers and go. The power Power's playing tonight. You're not a Crows girl, are you?
Cheryl Lee:No, I am Richmond. Oh, are you?
Sam Brewster:I don't want to talk about footy at all. Fair enough. Yeah, okay, yeah, fair enough. Yeah, the dogs kind of cleaned them up last week too, right?
Cheryl Lee:It's been terrible, but you know it's a rebuilding phase.
Sam Brewster:Yep, yep, I think Port the same.
Cheryl Lee:Good luck. I hope you do win, cheers.
Sam Brewster:Bye for now. Thanks, Cheryl. Bye.
Cheryl Lee:Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick, cheryl Lee, the Angels' domination of Australian music continues. Get on to theangelscomau. They're touring Australia in July and August. See when they're coming your way. And we are going to go out with, of course, no prizes for guessing 99. Go For Broke, the title track from last year's album. 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.