Beachfield

Written by Matt Shea

Back on Nudgee Beach
At about the turn century Custard was a band seemingly kicking all the goals. But just when they seemed to be hitting their creative peak, the Brisbane guys called it quits, leaving many an ardent fan disappointed.

One of the biggest blows of the break-up was being denied drummer Glenn Thompson's clever song writing, but now he's back and fronting his own brilliant band, Beachfield.

Having already released a debut album, 'Brighton Highways', in Europe to enthusiastic reviews, Beachfield are now gearing up for a down under assault. And while he initially found making the leap to the front of the stage intimidating, it probably makes it easier for Thompson when he's so pleased with the material the band is pumping out.

“Yeah, I am,” he says brightly. “I'm already looking forward to the next one, but that's the way with anything. But, no, I'm very happy with the way it turned out and how it's been received overseas. It gives you that confidence to go on and make the next record.”

While so many bands find it hard to secure a release in Europe and the UK, Thompson has actually managed to hit those markets first; something that he says had as much to do with serendipity as anything else.

“It just happened that way because I found someone over there that was really keen to do it. That was really the reason why I finished it off. I was just kind of ambling through, recording songs and mucking around before someone over there said that they'd heard the demos and wanted to put it out so I thought, 'Geez, I better finish it off and make it a record!' It's just because I'd meet these people touring over there with the Go-Betweens. It's just the way it is - if you meet some people and they happen to like it then you're lucky.”

Now Thompson is gearing up to take it all on tour, something that he's very much looking forward to. He's particularly relishing the prospect of getting back to Brisbane.

“I'm very excited. I love playing live. I've played at Live Spark before at the Powerhouse and it was a surprisingly good gig. I really like it there. I first turned up there and thought, 'Oh no, this is a big cavernous space,'” he laughs. “But people come along and they sit and listen attentively which I guess is the opposite of what happens in a pub!”

Beachfield play the Spark Bar at Brisbane Powerhouse on Sunday March 29. ‘Brighton Bothways’ is out through Fuse Music.