Grinspoon to take “long-term, indefinite break”

Grinspoon announced this morning they are taking a take “long-term, indefinite break” after 18 years together. They play their final show on Friday December 20 at Eaton Hills Hotel in Brisbane.

Founding members Phil Jamieson, Pat Davern, Joe Hansen and Kristian Hopes said in a statement, “Thanks to all our families, friends, and especially our fans for the support over the last 18 years – it’s been a wild ride to say the least. We are still a band of brothers but it’s time for us to take a break and recharge the batteries. We’re excited to see what our future holds… adios amigos, it’s been a blast!”

The band formed in 1995 after 17 year old Jamieson relocated to Lismore with Hopes, and teamed up with Davern and Hansen who were playing in local bands. They named themselves after a Harvard professor who advocated the use of marijuana on medical grounds. Three weeks later, they entered a two-song demo cut in three hours to triple j’s unearthed competition Sickfest, and won. The just-launched Homebake festival invited them onto the bill.

Grinspoon went on to sell half a million records over seven albums. They played over 1,000 shows, had six consecutive Top 10 album debuts and received 13 ARIA nominations. Signed to Universal Music, their debut album Guide to Better Living (1997) went double-Platinum and reached #11 on the ARIA chart. Follow up Easy (1999) also went double-Platinum, with third record New Detention yielding their biggest commercial hit Chemical Heart.

Following albums Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills (2004), Alibis & Other Lies (2007), Six To Midnight (2009) and Black Rabbits (2012) also sold well. The compilation Grinspoon: Best In Show reached Platinum status, while DVDs 23 Hours Of Waiting Around and 66.6 went gold.