Adelaide’s own premier cover band Chunky Custard are serenading their “Thanks for all the joy” to the world that they’ve been performing to for the past 36 years. Their two final shows will demonstrate Chunky’s heart-filled farewell of love and appreciation to their fans, featuring their acclaimed and celebrated fantastic flair. After such a prestigious and dazzling career, the pressing question to ask vocalist Becky Blake is simply, why now?
“I don’t really know.” She says with her infectious laugh – “I guess we just thought it was a good time to start winding things up. I mean, the band has still got a really great energy! It’s almost like you want to kind of leave on a bit of a high.”
Chunky Custard are certainly aiming for the stars with their final concerts. An all-ages showcase is booked this Friday February 13th at the renowned Twilight Sessions presented by Prospect City Council. The final ‘Knockout’ is then taking place at the Top of the Ark at the Arkaba Hotel as part of the final weekend of the Fringe Festival.
“The Arkaba show on the 21st of March, that’s what we’re calling the ‘Grand Finale’. Well, we have actually got a private booking afterwards (laughs), but I guess the truth is that we aren’t going to be around forever. It’s really funny in reflection, we had people that used to come to our shows back in the day, well their kids that were conceived in the car park at Lenny’s, they’re now coming to our shows, and even their kids are coming too! So, it’s generation on generation. It’s a very cool thing to see.”
Including hits from movies and musicals like Rocky Horror, Dirty Dancing, Grease as well as cherished singles from ABBA, The Village people, Wham!, Bon Jovi and many more, the ‘Custard have been electrifying audiences with their glitz and glamour from here to countless areas of Australia, and even overseas.
“We’ve done Malaysia a couple of times, and New Zealand, as well as a couple of cruises. As that saying goes: ‘Have band will travel’; but look, we’ve said that this is the last show, and then, of course, the tickets have sold like wildfire. So, we may have to do a John Farnham and do the farewell tour again.”
She continues – “The response has been truly amazing. All of our fans are coming out of the woodwork, and buying tickets and sending us beautiful messages, it’s lovely. It’s really very humbling to be part of something that is so loved by so many people. It has been a really fun ride.”
Should Adelaide be expecting any special bonuses for these last two shows? Fireworks? Pyrotechnics? Acrobats?
“Just the usual shenanigans, but you never know quite what to expect at a Chunky show. I’ll keep it at that.” Becky clarifies, but with a hint of mystery in her voice. “People can come along and see, but I mean look, really, it’s what people love. It’s all the characters, the costumes, and we certainly have never taken ourselves terribly seriously. So, it’s all a bit of fun and a bit of tongue-in-cheek.”
Don’t miss the final opportunities to get funky with the Chunky (Custard) crew – or perhaps we can ‘Have a little faith’ in a reunion soon too.
Chunky Custard
When: February 13th at Twilight Sessions, 5:30PM – 8:30PM
Where: Memorial Gardens, Menzies Crescent, Prospect SA 5082
Price: FREE
For more information, click here.
AND
When: Saturday, March 21st, 8:30PM
Where: Top of the Ark at Arkaba Hotel, Fullarton, SA
Price: $28 (excluding transaction fee)
Rating: G
Length: 180 mins
For more information, click here.
