The senior founding member of Adelaide rock band The Superjesus, Chris Tennant, left the band at the peak of its commercial success.
The official explanation was that Tennant 'liked writing songs but didn't want to go out and play them'.
That's not a preference shared by his replacement, Tim Henwood from Melbourne outfit Plasticine. On the back of the success of the band's first album in almost two years Jet Age co-written by Henwood and lead vocalist Sarah McLeod, The Superjesus are back, and playing tomorrow at the University of Newcastle Bar on the Hill. The band considered throwing it all away when Tennant left after their debut long-player, Sumo earned them an ARIA award for best rock album in 1998.
That followed two ARIAs the year before, best new band and best debut single for their maiden EP Eight Step Rail. Tennant's presence is felt on the album with the tracks Holy Water and Secret Agent Man, which he wrote, but it is mostly songs by McLeod, or collaborations with Henwood, which saw Jet Age enter the national charts at number five.
The solid rhythm section is made up by bassist Stuart Rudd and Paul Berryman on drums.
Henwood slotted into the band almost immediately and although the band already had ample songs written, he saw an opportunity to make a contribution.
The first song he co-wrote with McLeod, Gravity was a hit, achieving number 17 in Triple J's Hottest 100 and a lengthy stint on the national charts.
'Songwriting was a part of what initially attracted me to the The Superjesus,' he said.
'At the same time they already had about 30 songs written, left over from the Sumo days with Chris and Sarah.
'But I felt as though there were still opportunities for new songs.'
Henwood is the lead vocalist and main songwriter for Plasticine and still plays for them at every opportunity.
Board the Superjesus Secret Agent Tour at www.superjesus.com.au
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