Episode 70: Dave Graney

Dave Graney. Credit: Meredith O'Shea

Listen to the Trusty Chords podcast via your preferred platform of choice here.

For decades now, Dave Graney has been one of the most important names in the world of Australian music.

First making his appearance in the music world in the late '70s, the South Australian-born Graney found wider fame as a member of The Moodists with partner Clare Moore, with the group's influential post-punk sound seeing them based in London as their profile grew.

Following the band's split, Graney and Moore pivoted by way of forming Dave Graney 'N' The Coral Snakes. An eclectic project which lasted for around a decade, it ended up being one of Graney's most popular undertakings, resulting in myriad acclaimed records and even a famous ARIA Award for Male Artist Of The Year.

That win was off the back of the brilliant album, The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, which – while actually the lowest-charting of all charting Coral Snakes albums – helped mark Graney's name in the history books with indelible ink.

Though other projects would follow over the years (including The Dave Graney Show, The Royal Dave Graney Show, The Lurid Yellow Mist, solo work and others), this year, the Coral Snakes are hitting the road to give The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound its well-deserved 30th anniversary treatment. 

Frankly, I'd be heading along just to hear one of Australia's greatest songs, 'Rock 'N' Roll Is Where I Hide,' in the live setting.

This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Dave for the podcast. It was actually supposed to be both him and Clare on the call, but she had to pull out at the last minute, so I'll be sure to catch her another time.

Anyway, have a listen to Dave Graney 'N' The Coral Snakes' The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Dave Graney’s Trusty Chords

Dave’s One Influential Artist

1. The Pop Group

Dave’s Three Impactful Albums (And One Honourable Mention!)

1. John Scofield – Quiet (1992)

2. 2Pac – All Eyez On Me (1996)

3. Waylon Jennings – The Ramblin' Man (1974)
   

4. Burning Spear – Man In The Hills (1976)

Dave’s Five Trusty Songs

1. Fairport Convention – 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes?' (1969)

2. Sun Ra – 'Fate In A Pleasant Mood' (1965)

3. Duke Ellington – 'Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies' (1970)

4. Funkadelic – 'One Nation Under A Groove' (1978)

5. Bobby Womack & Peace – 'Across 110th Street' (1972)