Cold Chisel are determined to soldier on despite the untimely death of their bandmate Steve Prestwich in January. The remaining members say they’ll record some new material over the coming months.
Charley Drayton will step in for Steve as needed on the new tracks. Steve can’t be replaced of course, but Charley brings with him a wealth of experience after recording with Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, Neil Young, the Divinyls, and Simon & Garfunkel.
“We’d already recorded a number of new songs with Steve prior to his passing. Plus all five of us have written songs over summer with the intention of more recording this year”, explained Don Walker. “Hopefully Charley can help us complete the work we began together. Steve was totally into everything we’d been planning for 2011 so while the last few months have been very difficult to deal with, we all feel that he would want us to complete the plans we made together.”
Cold Chisel aren’t sure when they’ll release this material, but when they do all profits will continue to be split five ways. Steve’s children will fittingly inherit his share.
While we’re waiting on the new stuff Warner plans to release the Cold Chisel back catalogue in digital form. These revamped albums will include unreleased tunes recorded way back when, so there’s something there for the fans who already have the originals.
I’m thrilled to see Cold Chisel are keeping on with this new stuff. It’ll never be the same without Steve Prestwich, but I’m sure he’d want them to go on in his absence. I’m excited to see what the band comes up with!
Image source: Cold Chisel Facebook page
