There are just a few tweaks and a bit of mastering (that final audio spit-and-polish) to do before we send it off to the captains of industry to spread it across the planet in a multitude of formats, starting at my house.

We've been working pretty hard on this for the last six months and, I must say, we're quietly confident that we've captured something special this time. I know, you're thinking every artist always carries on about their new album being terrific and, really, you'll have to decide for yourself but heck, it's a Hoodoo Gurus album and I reckon a damn good one at that. Hoodoo Gurus albums are in relatively short supply - this is only our ninth studio album after all these years (not counting various compilations of rarities and on-the-radio performances etc.) and we all know that GOOD albums are not too common generally anyway. Enjoy 'em when you get the chance.

Alright, Dave, we get it - but what can we expect? How is this one different?

I'm glad you asked. 'Mach Schau', our "comeback" album, is very dear to my heart (as are all our albums in various ways) but I always felt that it had a very "hard" sound that made it a little daunting to absorb in one go. I tried experimenting with the tracklisting on the international version, changing the order and substituting different songs, in an effort to make it a little less difficult for the listener to simply enjoy it, rather than having to concentrate all the time and in some parts, withstand a brutal barrage of music (gee, it sounds rather good just writing that!). We also were in love with a lot more of the songs than we could reasonably fit on one CD without everyone's brains melting (hence the different versions of the tracklisting).

This time I'm afraid we still have THAT problem, the songs not the sonic barrage that is. It's a nice problem to have actually but our feeling this time is - dammit! - let's just put 'em all on. We're not absolutely certain about thatt yet but it's looking to be our most likely option. The good news is that there is such a diversity of styles across the songs that the album doesn't get repetitive with all of those songs included. Naturally there are some pretty fierce rockers on there - a couple as hard-core as we've ever managed to do, and that's saying something (though no straight-punk-a-la-Ramones this time). There are also some dare-I-say pretty songs too (but not sappy). And then there are some guilty pleasures...

We've really had a blast making this one and we're really looking forward to playing a lot of the songs on tour. We've already introduced a few into our set without any complaints, I'm happy to report. Let's face it - most audiences get the chills when they hear those fateful words "we're gonna something you've never heard...." Don't worry, it'll be fine.

Speaking of straight-punk-a-la-Ramones (one of the most important groups ever and particular favourites of ours), we've re-united with our old friend Ed Stasium to mix the new album. He mixed 'Kinky' and produced-and-mixed 'Crank' for us but, more famously, he also produced several of The Ramones finest albums (as well as Living Colour and The Smithereen, just to mention a couple of others). We've also welcomed back Charles Fisher this time to co-produce the album with us - another of my favourite people. He produced 'Mars Needs Guitars' and 'In Blue Cave'. So you can see we're keeping good company.

And whilst we're on the subject of 'In Blue Cave', I think it's finally time I reveal how to find that album's hidden track to those people who have yet to discover it. Yes, there is a TRULY hidden track on that album, not just an unlisted song at the end (though it has one of those too: Brad's surf instrumental 'Monterey Sunset'). The secret song is titled 'Whoopee Cushion'. Unfortunately you'll have to dig up one of the original CD releases to get it because for some technical reason the re-issues omitted it. O.k, let's assume you have an original australian (or U.S. version etc.) of 'In Blue Cave'. Here's what you do: as soon as track one ('Big Deal') begins, press pause on your CD player, then press rewind and go back MINUS 1 minute 17 seconds. Then press play to hear the fantastic short instrumental 'Whoopee Cushion'. I actually think it's one of my better songs - a masterpiece-in-miniature (by my standards, anyway). If you go "back" too far the CD will just flip back to zero again and you'll have to try again. Sadly, some CD players (and computers etc.) will not do this but then some other players just play it from there without requiring any fancy button pushin'. Go figure!

I'll get back to you later.

Thanks for listening (and reading),

Dave Faulkner