The Drones Return After 10 Years

Double J

Music

Sunday, 9 August 2026, 4:30 am

The Drones are back with their first shows in 10 years this August and September.

When The Drones announced a national tour, demand made their schedule go from 7 shows to more than double that.

Guitarist Dan Luscombe tells Double J's Karen Leng, 'It was very heartening.'

He jokes, 'We just kept adding dates, like capitalists.'

The tour follows two surprise Melbourne shows last year that sold out quickly.

Gareth Liddiard and Dan Luscombe talk to Karen Leng about The Drones returning after 10 years.

Gareth says, 'We didn't take this for granted. It's surprising and lovely.'

He's one of Australia's most respected songwriters.

Shark Fin Blues was voted the greatest Australian song in a 2009 triple j poll.

The Drones' return is proof that their absence made fans love them more.

Don't call it a reunion

Despite 10 years passing, the band members don't see this as a big deal since they see each other often.

Dan says, 'It wasn't like we hadn't seen each other in years. We had a barbecue the week before rehearsals.'

So, why did they stop in the first place? Practical reasons.

Drummer Christian and keys player Stevie have families and commitments, explains Dan.

The band didn't want to pressure anyone into touring.

Gareth says they didn't want to upset anyone.

Gareth has been working on his solo album and side project Springtime.

In 2017, Gareth and his partner Fiona formed Tropical F*** Storm.

Gareth says, 'It's a financial thing. If we don't tour, we don't eat.'

Tropical F*** Storm has been touring and making music.

The Drones are back for a one-off tour around Australia.

Dan has been busy playing with other groups and producing records.

Dan hasn't had to perform with intensity for a while.

He says, 'It's hard to watch Gareth on stage and not react.'

The Drones were a compact unit that toured relentlessly in the mid-2000s.

Gareth says, 'We were a feral little band... We made a living touring.'

The band got support slots with other cult favorites like Meat Puppets.

The Drones were signed to a record label that got them festival offers.

A booking agent was impressed by their Chicago show but didn't sign them.

The Drones' chemistry was its own reward despite the knocks.

Dan says, 'We became a very good live band.'

The music allowed for a 'telepathic thing' on-stage.

The Drones formed in the late 90s in Perth.

Their second album won the inaugural Australian Music Prize.

Gareth says, 'That record is us as a p***ed off little band.'

The next album was recorded in an isolated farm in Tasmania.

The result was Gala Mill, which got the band acclaim.

The band's reputation rarely rose above cult darlings due to cultural barriers.

Dan says, 'Americans struggled with it more than Europeans.'

Gareth's accent is thick, which made it hard for some to understand.

Those deterred by Gareth's accent missed out on his songwriting treasures.

Double J gives you new music and classic tracks.

Gareth's delivery and lyrics are never dampened or sugar-coated.

He confronts Australia's violent colonial history and contemporary issues.

Nobody is safe from Gareth's acerbic pen, including politicians.

Gareth's voice wraps around a squall that evolved across six albums.

The Drones are coming back, but what's next?

The band's synergy is still there; they just need to get match fit.

Dan says, 'The real challenge is for Chris to get behind the kit again.'

Gareth thinks Chris will be fine, but he's worried about himself.

Gareth says, 'It's demanding. You make up songs when you're in your 20s, then you're in your 50s.'

Despite being active with Tropical F*** Storm, Gareth finds The Drones' show demanding.

The Drones will record something new, says Dan.

Gareth is keen on the idea of a Drones soundtrack.

The question is whether The Drones and Tropical F*** Storm can exist at the same time.

Gareth says, 'It's not this or that, it's just whatever. We try to stay interested.'

The Drones start their Australian tour in Melbourne before heading to other cities.

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The Drones Return After 10 Years

Double J

Music

Sunday, 9 August 2026, 4:30 am

The Drones are back with their first shows in 10 years this August and September.

When The Drones announced a national tour, demand made their schedule go from 7 shows to more than double that.

Guitarist Dan Luscombe tells Double J's Karen Leng, 'It was very heartening.'

He jokes, 'We just kept adding dates, like capitalists.'

The tour follows two surprise Melbourne shows last year that sold out quickly.

Gareth Liddiard and Dan Luscombe talk to Karen Leng about The Drones returning after 10 years.

Gareth says, 'We didn't take this for granted. It's surprising and lovely.'

He's one of Australia's most respected songwriters.

Shark Fin Blues was voted the greatest Australian song in a 2009 triple j poll.

The Drones' return is proof that their absence made fans love them more.

Don't call it a reunion

Despite 10 years passing, the band members don't see this as a big deal since they see each other often.

Dan says, 'It wasn't like we hadn't seen each other in years. We had a barbecue the week before rehearsals.'

So, why did they stop in the first place? Practical reasons.

Drummer Christian and keys player Stevie have families and commitments, explains Dan.

The band didn't want to pressure anyone into touring.

Gareth says they didn't want to upset anyone.

Gareth has been working on his solo album and side project Springtime.

In 2017, Gareth and his partner Fiona formed Tropical F*** Storm.

Gareth says, 'It's a financial thing. If we don't tour, we don't eat.'

Tropical F*** Storm has been touring and making music.

The Drones are back for a one-off tour around Australia.

Dan has been busy playing with other groups and producing records.

Dan hasn't had to perform with intensity for a while.

He says, 'It's hard to watch Gareth on stage and not react.'

The Drones were a compact unit that toured relentlessly in the mid-2000s.

Gareth says, 'We were a feral little band... We made a living touring.'

The band got support slots with other cult favorites like Meat Puppets.

The Drones were signed to a record label that got them festival offers.

A booking agent was impressed by their Chicago show but didn't sign them.

The Drones' chemistry was its own reward despite the knocks.

Dan says, 'We became a very good live band.'

The music allowed for a 'telepathic thing' on-stage.

The Drones formed in the late 90s in Perth.

Their second album won the inaugural Australian Music Prize.

Gareth says, 'That record is us as a p***ed off little band.'

The next album was recorded in an isolated farm in Tasmania.

The result was Gala Mill, which got the band acclaim.

The band's reputation rarely rose above cult darlings due to cultural barriers.

Dan says, 'Americans struggled with it more than Europeans.'

Gareth's accent is thick, which made it hard for some to understand.

Those deterred by Gareth's accent missed out on his songwriting treasures.

Double J gives you new music and classic tracks.

Gareth's delivery and lyrics are never dampened or sugar-coated.

He confronts Australia's violent colonial history and contemporary issues.

Nobody is safe from Gareth's acerbic pen, including politicians.

Gareth's voice wraps around a squall that evolved across six albums.

The Drones are coming back, but what's next?

The band's synergy is still there; they just need to get match fit.

Dan says, 'The real challenge is for Chris to get behind the kit again.'

Gareth thinks Chris will be fine, but he's worried about himself.

Gareth says, 'It's demanding. You make up songs when you're in your 20s, then you're in your 50s.'

Despite being active with Tropical F*** Storm, Gareth finds The Drones' show demanding.

The Drones will record something new, says Dan.

Gareth is keen on the idea of a Drones soundtrack.

The question is whether The Drones and Tropical F*** Storm can exist at the same time.

Gareth says, 'It's not this or that, it's just whatever. We try to stay interested.'

The Drones start their Australian tour in Melbourne before heading to other cities.

See more ABC coverage

Promotion

Top Stories

Topic: Political Leadership

Topic: Federal Government

Topic: Blood

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Topic: Children's Health

Top Stories

Topic: Political Leadership

Topic: Federal Government

Topic: Blood

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Topic: Children's Health

Just In

Topic: Perspective

Sunday, 9 August 2026, 12:00 pm

Topic: Soccer

Sunday, 9 August 2026, 11:29 am

Topic: Child Abuse

Sunday, 9 August 2026, 11:04 am

Topic: Unions

Sunday, 9 August 2026, 10:51 am