FIFTY years after helping forge one of Australia’s most iconic hard rock bands, Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson remains as passionate, outspoken and reflective as ever.
Approaching his 79th birthday in August, the gravel-throated rocker is preparing for Rose Tattoo’s likely final European tour, while working through the emotional process of writing his long-awaited autobiography.
Far from slowing down, Anderson said the remarkable longevity of a band that was never supposed to survive for half a century.
“I think the glib answer is insanity,” Anderson laughed.
“But I think it was the insanely romantic notion that the band was meant to be.”
Formed in Sydney in the mid-1970s, Rose Tattoo built a reputation on gritty, blues-infused rock and roll, earning a loyal following in Australia and overseas.
Despite being regarded as one of Australian rock’s elder statesmen, Anderson remains optimistic about the future of the genre.
After sharing stages with several emerging acts in recent years, he believes a new generation of musicians is rediscovering authenticity and energy.
“There are some mighty young bands around,” he said.
“Music always redeems itself. Just when you think you can’t stand any more of one thing, something new comes along and reinvents itself.”
Anderson said he had also noticed a shift in Rose Tattoo’s own audience.
“What we’ve noticed in the last few years is our audience has started getting younger and younger,” he said.
“And we’ve seen a lot more women coming to the shows too, which has been fantastic.”
While the “Angry” nickname has followed him for decades, Anderson says the source of that anger has changed dramatically.
“When I was young, I was angry about me and my stuff,” he said.
“Now I’m angry about what I see around me.
“I’m angry about things happening in society, about people losing their individuality”
The singer has spoken openly about battling depression, addiction and trauma, experiences that are now resurfacing as he works on his autobiography.
Rose Tattoo rocks into Racehorse Hotel on Friday night.
