An exciting new era for The Angels – After 12 years Dave Gleeson to step aside, legendary band reveals new line up
An exciting new era for The Angels
After 12 years Dave Gleeson to step aside,
legendary band reveals new line up with
Nick Norton out front
Dave Gleeson’s final shows include 2 Symphony of Angels dates in Melbourne and Adelaide plus 4 festival shows – Big Red Bash, Mt Isa Rodeo, Mundi Mundi Bash, Gympie Muster
As the book The 100 Best Australian Albums highlighted, “The Angels can lay claim to being Australia’s longest-lasting band.” And with the band closing in on their 50th anniversary in 2024, they are embarking on an exciting new era, with the announcement of a brand-new lead singer.
The band’s new front man is a name very familiar to Angels fans. Stepping out from behind the drum kit to take centre stage is Nick Norton, who has been a member of the band since 2011.
“Nick is an incredible musician and a great singer and songwriter,” says Angels founding member John Brewster. “He obviously knows the songs like the back of his hand and the fans already know and love him, so he’s the perfect fit. We can’t wait to hit the road.”
Anyone at the recent Brewster Brothers Electric shows, where the band performed Angels rarities with Nick out front, will attest that he’s ready to assume one of the greatest gigs in Australian rock – fronting The Angels, the band responsible for some of the most unforgettable songs in Australian music.
Nick replaces Dave Gleeson, who is stepping down from the role to focus on his Triple M commitments as well as The Screaming Jets, the band he formed in 1989.
“We remain the very best of friends, and Dave will always be a much-loved part of The Angels family,” John says.
“We are so grateful to Dave for everything he’s done for the band,” adds Rick Brewster. “He’s been our front man for 12 years, sharing hundreds of great gigs and good times. And now, with his increased commitments, we totally understand his need to move on.”
“Since 2011, it has been a blast and an honour to sing for The Angels,” Dave Gleeson says. “Being a part of such a legendary legacy will always be one of my great achievements. To have made music with John and Rick and the late Chris Bailey has been nothing short of awesome.
“To the fans, my heartfelt thanks for accepting me into the fold over the last dozen or so years. With The Screaming Jets on the eve of a new album release, and my national Triple M commitments, it’s time to move on. John, Rick, Sam and Nick will always hold a special place in my rock ’n’ roll journey. Rock on and see youse on the road.”
Dave’s final show as front man of The Angels will be at the Gympie Music Muster at the end of August, with his final two Symphony of Angels shows taking place in Melbourne on June 23 at Palais Theatre and Adelaide on June 30 at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
“With the 50th anniversary coming up, this is a very special time for The Angels,” John says. “And it means a lot that the fans already know Nick. Our relationship with the audience means everything to us and we’ll never take that for granted.”
“The time we get to spend onstage makes everything else worthwhile,” Rick adds. “It’s always been about the songs and the power of the guitars.”
Indeed, it’s a catalogue of classics ingrained in the hearts of every Australian rock fan, including Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, Take A Long Line, No Secrets, Shadow Boxer, Marseilles, I Ain’t The One, Comin’ Down, Mr Damage, After The Rain, Night Attack, Dogs Are Talking and We Gotta Get Out Of This Place. No wonder the famous American critic David Fricke called The Angels “a guaranteed great time anywhere”.
Replacing Nick on drums is John’s son Tom, meaning The Angels will now have two sets of Brewster Brothers – John and Rick on guitar, and Sam (who joined the band in 2013) on bass, and Tom on drums.
As Ian McFarlane, the author of The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop,noted: “The Angels helped re-define the Australian pub rock tradition.” And now John Brewster, Rick Brewster, Sam Brewster, Tom Brewster and Nick Norton are giving it another twist.
This is it, folks – an exciting new chapter in the storied career of The Angels. Stay tuned for news of new music and plans for the 50th anniversary. Let the night roll on!
THE ANGELS NEW LINE UP IS:
Tom Brewster (drums); John Brewster (guitar/vocals); Nick Norton (lead vocals/guitar); Rick Brewster (lead guitar); Sam Brewster (bass/vocals)
THE ANGELS ORCHESTRATED – SYMPHONY OF ANGELS
FINAL 2 SYMPHONY OF ANGELS SHOWS FEATURING DAVE GLEESON
Friday 23rd June – Palais Theatre, St Kilda
www.theangels.com.au/symphony-23-melbourne
Friday 30th June – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
www.theangels.com.au/symphony-23-adelaide
PLUS 4 EXTRA FESTIVAL SHOWS FEATURING DAVE GLEESON
Wednesday 5th July – Big Red Bash
Friday 11th August – Mt Isa Rodeo
Friday 18th August – Mundi Mundi Bash
Sunday 27th August – Gympie Muster
THE ANGELS – CURRENT LINE UP feat. DAVE GLEESON
ABOUT THE ANGELS
Growing up in Newcastle, Dave Gleeson – who later formed The Screaming Jets – loved The Angels. “Their songs from the late ’70s and early ’80s are more ingrained in me than even Jets songs, because they’ve been with me since I was 12 or 13 years old.”
When Dave rocked up to a Brewster Brothers gig in the Adelaide Hills in 2011, they asked him what Angels songs he knew. “All of them,” he replied. After Dave joined them on stage, John and Rick knew they had found their new lead singer. Dave was initially reluctant, due to his reverence for Doc, but he couldn’t resist joining his favourite band.
“I’m definitely respectful of the fact that I’m not the creator of the Angels’ sound,” Dave says. “And I’m mindful of bringing that energy that Doc brought to the band. But it’s a real treat for me to be up there blasting out songs that I’ve loved since I was a kid.”
The Angels’ long-time booking agent, Tony Grace, says adding Dave to the band was a masterstroke. “You couldn’t write a better script. I held in high regard what Doc did in his generation … but Dave Gleeson was the best of the best in the current crop. He is what rock ’n’ roll and Australian pub rock stands for.”
More than four decades into their remarkable journey, The Angels remain fierce and uncompromising. They have always done things their own way. As rock historian Ian McFarlane notes, “The Angels were often seen as a punk/new wave outfit, yet the high-energy sound, powerful guitar riffing and muscular yet supple rhythm section took the band beyond such easy categorisations.”
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