The Casanovas release new album Terra Casanova

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This was published 8 years ago

The Casanovas release new album Terra Casanova

By Line Jensen

Melbourne rockers the Casanovas formed in 1999 and despite highs and lows, illness and legal wrangles, they've not only endured, but find themselves feeling stronger than ever.

Featuring singer Tommy Boyce's unmistakeable guitar licks, Damien Campbell on bass and "Jaws" Stanley on drums, the trio have supported acts including Motley Crue, the Datsuns, and the legendary Motorhead, as well as touring Japan, the US and Europe.

The Casanovas with Tommy Boyce at the centre.

The Casanovas with Tommy Boyce at the centre.

The band's long-awaited album launch for Terra Casanova on Friday comes nine years since their last studio album, All Night Long. There are, however, several reasons fans had to wait for new material, says Boyce.

Despite playing big festivals such as Meredith, Big Day Out and Triple J live, All Night Long failed commercially and the experience "really robbed the morale of the band," Boyce says.

Coming on top of legal disputes with former management and Boyce suffering from haemochromatosis – a physically debilitating iron overload disorder – the setbacks kept coming so the trio took a hiatus to make sure Tommy recovered.

"We never really stopped," he says, but with renewed energy the group decidedthey needed something new to show for themselves – a new album. "The beauty of the long recording process is the quality of sound and lyrics," Boyce says.

Produced by Jimi Maroudas on the Rubber Records label, Terra Casanova has a variety of influences compared to earlier albums. Its deliberately raw sound compared with what Boyce calls today's "over processed and compressed music" has a distinct `70s feel, and is typically riff driven with big, catchy choruses.

Fans will instantly recognise the Casanovas' signature sound, but variety is not a dirty word to Boyce, who says "to some extent" they have re-invented their sound on thenew album. "I'd like to vary the style even more because I love so much music. But it is hard – you develop a crowd and they have expectations – you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot."

The Casanovas launch Terra Casanova on Friday at Ding Dong Lounge, Market Lane, city.

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