The Vasco Era Return…

After thirteen years out of the studio, pre-eminent Melbourne/Surf Coast band The Vasco Era (Sid O’Neil, Ted O’Neil and Michael Fitzgerald) are back. Their highly anticipated return to the sonic sphere is led by the speaker-breaking new single I Don’t Mind (out now), the first taste of their forthcoming album of the same name, due September 2025.

Following standout albums Oh We Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside (2007), Lucille (2009), and The Vasco Era (2011), the band return with a new album produced by longtime collaborator Greg Rietwyk (Lunchroom Records), capturing their raw energy with renewed focus. Named after its first single, I Don’t Mind distills the album’s spirit: raw, loud, tender, sometimes all at once. The album itself is split in two: Side A: Yelling. Side B: Crying. A loud side and a soft side. A mirror of the band’s extremes, but also their control over them.

The members of The Vasco Era make and play music that is described as ‘bestial but heartfelt,’ which is an apt description for their new songs. It’s Sid (guitar and vocals), managing to flip from full-throated screams to sweet, delicate tones in mere seconds. It’s Ted (bass) and Michael (drums), foot to the floor, driving the rhythm and riff with an urgency that hits like a freight train. It’s all the usual chaos of the beloved Vasco, emotion, sweat, volume, but now it’s sharpened, matured; after twenty years of screaming it out to entranced onlookers, they know exactly what they want to say, and how to say it.

It’s pretty wild to be talking about a new release, has it really been fourteen years?
Yeah, it’s been a long time. We looked into it ahead of our new release, it’s been fourteen years since our last one. Doesn’t feel that long, but it is.

Was it just life taking over, work, family, everything else?
Exactly, we’d gone pretty hard for years, and by around 2011, we were ready for a break. Life naturally fills the space, new bands, work, kids. But in late 2023 we started chatting again, and once we began, it felt like nothing had changed.

Was that creative drive always bubbling under the surface?
Absolutely, just because the band paused doesn’t mean the creativity did. We all stayed active, solo projects, other bands, work in music. The outlet just shifted. Coming back with a new album has been exciting, and it’s diverse, loud stuff, quiet stuff, and a heap of guitar solos.

Did getting back into the mindset take some convincing, or was it just “Let’s do it”?
It was really natural. We still played together anyway. One of us had songs that didn’t quite fit their solo material and thought they’d suit the band. That was all it took, we rehearsed, did a test show, and a month later we were recording.

Did you talk about sound or direction before jumping in?
Sort of, we recorded most of the album in 2024 and thought it was done. But early 2025, we revisited the structure and felt like something was missing, one song wasn’t clicking. Just when we thought we were finished, a new track came through. We rehearsed separately from the demo, came together, and knocked it out in a day. It felt like the most classic version of us.

That energy, did it feel like the old days?
Definitely and complete with the usual chaos. Guitars breaking right as we hit record, gear swaps, classic us. But it came together seamlessly. We recorded with Dave Mudie, who was brilliant. Used his gear, studio, got it all done in a day. It ran perfectly despite the usual hiccups.

Did it feel surreal that the process was that quick, considering how long some bands take?
It’s funny, some songs had been in the works for a while, but this one came together fast. There’s been real intention behind the sound, though. The biggest shift was dropping the pressure we used to feel, worrying about whether the sound would land, whether people would respond. Now it’s just about having fun and seeing what comes out.

Is that return-to-form about more than sound, like a return to the spirit of the band?
It’s not just a musical throwback, it’s about enjoying the process again. No stress, no grand expectations, just play and see where it goes without label pressure. Our previous labels were supportive, but we’d pressure ourselves a lot. Always second-guessing whether it would impress the right people. Now it’s like, people will either connect with it or not. That’s fine. The point is, we’re making music we love.

How would you describe the sound of this new album?
Hard to pin down. There are two clear sides, one loud, one soft. The loud side is packed with fast-paced energy, wild guitar solos, offbeat percussion, definitely rock-inspired. The soft side leans into crooner-style melodies, with string arrangements and synth backings. We even had players from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra record some charts we wrote. It probably sits somewhere in alternative rock, but it’s the most diverse work we’ve done.

With all that energy, has it been tough to sit on these songs before releasing them?
For me especially, figuring out how to release music now has been a puzzle. Social media’s changed everything. It used to be just an extra layer, now it’s the whole machine. Sid’s been great at navigating it, funny posts, authentic voice, that kind of thing. I try to stay off socials, but had to get an Instagram account just to share the release. It’s not my area, but you pitch in where you can.

Was there a big celebration once the album was finished?
Not really! We were proud of what we made, and happy with how the songs came out. But it wasn’t a dramatic “We’re back!” moment. We joke about that on socials, but really, it’s just about sharing music we’re excited by.

Any plans to tour once the album’s out?
Yes, some shows are already lined up. They’ll be announced soon, once everything fits into the release strategy. Another single’s coming out in a few weeks, then more announcements will follow. There’ll definitely be gigs in Victoria and interstate. Can’t say exactly where yet.

Interview By Rob Lyon