Everclear’s Sparkle and Fade has turned 30, and frontman Art Alexakis was in a reflective, fiery mood as the band prepared to bring the anniversary tour to Australia.
When I caught up with Art Alexakis last month, it was between a stack of interviews and another show on their US run, he laughs about the schedule: “I have a show today, but I’m doing a fuck load of interviews… this is like the fifth of, like, eight.”
His voice carries the rasp of a man who’s been screaming his songs across continents for three decades, and still wants to squeeze the most out of every tour.
“We’re just finishing up the US tour for the 30th anniversary of Sparkle and Fade… then we come to Australia.”
Playing the album without drowning in nostalgia
This anniversary run isn’t a museum piece, Alexakis bristles at the idea that Everclear are riding the nostalgia wave alone.
“It’s not all about nostalgia,” he says. “There’s these young kids… late teens and 20s, not with their parents, just that they found Everclear on their own. Last night, there was a pit of like eight boys… And then there were about eight girls over here crying and singing.”
That kind of generational split, he says, is proof of the band’s staying power:
“It just shows you the longevity of rock and roll, of good rock and roll that has a voice of its own.”
This tour’s format is a little different from their 20th anniversary run, instead of playing the album front to back in two halves, the setlist weaves through eras.
“We’re doing the whole album… that’s 14 songs. We usually do about 16 or 17, but we’ve got to do an extra four or five songs to do all the hits.” What fans get is a career spanning show built around the record that changed everything.
Advice to his younger self
Looking back at the whirlwind of 1995, Alexakis doesn’t romanticise the grind. If he could speak to that version of himself, he wouldn’t talk about fame or charts. He’d talk about humanity.
“Don’t take it all so seriously. Have more fun… Be brave. Don’t be afraid to do the things that scare you and just be kind.”
He laughs at his own hindsight:
“Take your work seriously. Don’t take yourself seriously. Nothing’s worse than people who think they’re better because of success… Looking back, I think I did [get arrogant].”
A memoir is coming
Fans who’ve followed Alexakis’ brutally honest songwriting won’t be surprised to hear he’s working on a book.
“I’m working on a book… It’s my whole life. I think there’s a lot of lessons there.”
He opens up quickly.
“Abuse when we were younger, and drugs, alcohol… I’ve been blessed with the ability to talk about my issues… I’ve been able to communicate the things in my life that have been good and the things that I wish I had done better, and I think that’s being of service to people.”
The moment that blew his mind
When I asked Art about the wildest moment he’s ever seen his music used, he doesn’t reach for film placements or festival montages, he went straight to baseball.
“I was at Dodger Stadium… Fourth of July… watching the fireworks display, and they’re playing really loud Everclear’s version of the Woody Guthrie song ‘This Land Is Your Land’. And I’m like, that’s pretty cool.”
It’s a very Art answer, low key, sentimental in its own rough edged way, and rooted in the things he genuinely cares about.
Rock shows and football seasons
When he’s not touring, writing or recording, Alexakis is glued to American football.
“That’s how I blow off steam… There’s no stress. I don’t have any pressure. Even though I do get kind of crazy… My family wants nothing to do with me during football games.”
He laughs at himself, another sign that he’s in a grounded place.
“I’m not drinking and doing drugs. I’m not chasing women. I’m not doing anything. I’m just listening to football and yelling at the TV screen.”
Why Australia still feels like a second home
Everclear have history here, heavy history.
“I think it’s our 12th time coming down there… What’s my favorite thing about it? What do I not like about it?”
He talks about food, culture, beaches, the crowds, but also the way Australia embraced the band early.
“When Sparkle and Fade came out… we were like two or three times platinum in Australia.”
For a kid who built Everclear from scratch while working against the industry grain, that connection still hits deep.
New music is on the way
For years Alexakis pushed back on the idea of another album, but something shifted.
“We’re gonna make a new album next year… I just bought a new guitar yesterday… I got about four or five songs now that are about ready to kick in.”
And yes, it will be political.
“It might alienate some of our fans. Well, I don’t care… We’ve always been political… there’s some intense songs coming up on this new record.”
After 11 albums and more life than most musicians would survive, that urgency hasn’t dulled.
“I can’t help but write.”
Everclear are in Australia now through until December 13th, celebrating a record that shaped a generation while still looking straight ahead.
“We’re all excited to come back… They’re almost like family there.”
Remaining Everclear ‘Sparkle and Fade’ 30th Anniversary Australian Tour Dates
Thursday, November 27 – The Baso | Canberra ACT
Friday, November 28 – Chelsea Heights Hotel | Chelsea Heights VIC
Saturday, November 29 – Prince Bandroom | St Kilda VIC
Sunday, November 30 – Barwon Heads Hotel | Barwon Heads VIC
Tuesday, December 2 – The Warehouse | Townsville QLD
Thursday, December 4 – Kings Beach Tavern | Caloundra QLD
Friday, December 5 – The Back Room, Chardons Corner | Brisbane QLD
Saturday, December 6 – Miami Marketta | Gold Coast QLD
Wednesday, December 10 – Freo Social | Fremantle WA
Thursday, December 11 – The Carine | Duncraig WA
Friday, December 12 – Magnet House | Perth WA
Saturday, December 13 – The Gov | Adelaide SA
Find out more and get your tickets here!
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