Australian alt-rock legends Spiderbait are hitting the road later this year to celebrate the 20th birthday of Tonight Alright, their sixth album, which contained 'Black Betty', their biggest streaming hit.
The Black Betty 20th Anniversary Tour will see the band taking in 10 dates around the map between August and October, with some killer support (more on that later) and playing a hit-packed set-list crowned by "their greatest hit of all".
Recorded in California and released in 2004 amid the garage rock revival, Tonight Alright saw the trio – Kram aka Mark Maher, Janet English and Damian 'Whitt' Whitty – returning to the raw guitar-bass-and-drums sound of their earliest work.
The album's breakout hit was 'Black Betty', a cover of the Leadbelly blues song popularised by the 1977 version by US rockers Ram Jam.
Cranking the volume, energy, and tempo, Spiderbait's version became the band's first chart-topping Australian single and cracked the American top 40.
Since then, it's become one of the band's signature anthems, inspiring pop sensation G Flip and surpassing more than 110 million Spotify streams and 75 million combined YouTube views. "...Which is nuts," remarks singer-drummer Kram.
"I can't believe it's been 20 years since we released Black Betty and it went number one… The whole ride has been so awesome and was so unexpected."
To celebrate, Spiderbait will issue Tonight Alright on vinyl for the first time on 26 July, as a red-coloured LP with alternate artwork.
Playing as well now as they ever have, a Spiderbait live show is always a guaranteed good time, filled with energy, sing-alongs, and plenty of Kram's magnetic showmanship from behind the kit.
As if the deal needed any more sweetening, there'll be some very special guests joining at select shows.
Sydney rock duo Polish Club are a perfect warm-up and will open the majority of the tour.
Magic Dirt frontwoman and fellow Aus rock royalty Adalita will perform at all ages shows on the Gold Coast and in Canberra.
Meanwhile, homegrown punk larrikins Private Function will open up in Melbourne and West Australian singer, songwriter and singular performer Abbe May kicks things off in Perth.
Catch Spiderbait and friends playing the following shows. Tickets are on sale Wednesday 22 May, 10am local time.
Tues 13 August – The Fortitude Music Hall: Turrbal Jagera Land, Brisbane (licensed, all ages) with special guests Polish Club
Fri 16 August – Hindley Street Music Hall: Kaurna Land, Adelaide (18+) with special guests Polish Club
Sat 17 August – Odeon Theatre: muwinina, Hobart (licensed, all ages) with special guests Polish Club
Fri 30 August – Bar On The Hill: Awabakal Land, Newcastle (licensed, all ages) with special guests Polish Club
Sat 31 August – Waves: Dharawal, Wollongong (18+) with special guests Polish Club
Sat 14 September – The Astor Theatre: Whadjuk Noongar Land, Perth (licensed, all ages) with special guest Abbe May
Fri 20 September – Forum: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Land, Melbourne (18+) with special guests Private Function
Sat 21 September – Enmore Theatre: Gadigal Land, Sydney (licensed, all ages) with special guests Polish Club
Sun 20 October – Miami Marketta Laneway: Yugambeh, Gold Coast (licensed, all ages) with special guest Adalita
Fri 25 October – UC Refectory: Ngunnawal Land, Canberra (licensed, all ages) with special guest Adalita