The Screaming Jets Classic
Better
April 22, 2020
Sydney rockers Lillye have recorded an incredible, scorching version of The Screaming Jets classic, Better.
The nearly 30 year old song became part of Aussie Rock’s DNA from the moment that iconic drum fill kicked in. It peaked at number 4 on the Aria Charts, was quickly certified Gold and the Jets have been a household name ever since.
To celebrate its’ achievement, Lillye wanted to pay tribute to the song that has become an Australian rock anthem.
Bringing their own character to the song with its brooding versus and darker feel, the band have brought new light to it. Jets bassist, Paul Woseen gave it a big tick of approval when it was played to him too, stating that “It’s fucking great… I love how the guys have really made it their own”
“After all the hardship that Australia has had since the end of last year, we wanted to cover a classic Aussie rock tune to lift spirits and take people back to the days when pub rock was alive and kicking “ says lead singer, Virginia Lillye.
The track was recorded at bass player Christian Lauria’s home studio, Machine Men Studios. Christian loves nothing more than a simplistic bass line which, he believes, in turn is the pulse and main drive to a song. “I was drawn to this iconic song because of this. To me it resembles the resilient nature of our country.. keeps our pulses pumping”.
Listen to Lillye’s version here
This is the first release from Lillye that welcomes new member to the band, Stef Billimoria. “Better was the first song I heard by the Screaming Jets. That iconic drum intro and rhythm set the feel and intensity of the song that still holds up today”. With the drums being laid down at Hill Valley Studios in the Blue Mountains, Stef recalls the fun he had laying down his parts and keeping in the classic cymbal “ting” in the middle of the song was a must. “I wanted to pay homage to the original by keeping this in. It’s a small detail with much weight.”
Lillye have been in the studio finishing off tunes for their next album due out later in the year. They can’t wait for things to improve in the world so they can get out there and do what they love most.. playing live. Adding such a classic Aussie rock tune to their repertoire, they hope to bring rock ‘n’ roll back to the masses throughout these hard times.
–
ABOUT LILLYE
Sydney hard rockers, Lillye formed in 2012 and feature the powerhouse vocals of Virginia Lillye, guitarist Matt Ellis, bassist Christian Lauria and drummer Stef Billimoria.
They have shared the stage with CrazyTown, Skid Row, Theory of a Deadman, Guns ’N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, Electric Mary, Palace of the King and have toured regularly with high-profile appearances at various festivals across Australia. Virginia also sang with Gene Simmons on his 2018 Australian tour.
Lillye travelled to the Middle East to play for the Australian, American, English, Italian and Dutch troops. They have won a Global Music Award and were nominated twice at the Australian Independent Music Awards.
In 2014 they independently released their debut Lillye EP and in 2018 they signed with US label Eclipse Records and delivered their full-length debut album, Evolve. 2020 sees the band back in the studio working on the second album with its release due before the end of the year.
–