In this July 2026 Noise11.com interview, Paul Cashmere talks with bassist Ken Gormly of Aussie indie-rock royalty The Cruel Sea to talk about the band’s incredible longevity, their 2026 renaissance, and their latest musical chapters.
Reflecting on a career spanning over four decades, Gormly opens up about the unexpected catalyst behind their recent activity: the 30th-anniversary re-release of their ARIA-winning landmark album, The Honeymoon Is Over. He shares moving insights on continuing the band’s legacy alongside guitar master Matt Walker following the passing of James Cruickshank, comparing the band’s enduring muscle memory to warming up a classic EJ Holden.
Ken gives fans a behind the scenes view of their latest record, Straight Into the Sun, explaining how frontman Tex Perkins acts as the band’s ultimate “doer of things” to ignite their creative sparks. He also talks about digging deep into their early back catalogue, including gems from This Is Not the Way Home and Down Below, to construct their 2026 setlists.
The conversation dives into rock-and-roll history as Ken recalls what it was like when their “EJ Holden” was parked next to the “Rolls-Royce” on tour with The Rolling Stones, including the unspoken art of letting Mick Jagger win at pinball and video games. Ken also recounts earning the “royal seal of approval” while touring Europe with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and the joy of warming up stadium crowds on the recent national tour with Cold Chisel.
THE CRUEL SEA with MAGIC DIRT
FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
NIGHT AT THE PARKLAND
ROMA STREET PARKLAND, BRISBANE
nightattheparkland.com.au
FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER
NIGHT AT THE BARRACKS
NORTH HEAD, MANLY NSW
nightatthebarracks.com.au
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