They may have retired but 1980s band Boom Crash Opera is back at Reef Hotel Casino with a boom, writes Jesse Kuch

Boom Crash Opera’s singer Dale Ryder is the first to admit that the late ’80s and early ’90s heroes are in retirement – but that doesn’t mean they are going to put in any less effort when they hit the stage this weekend.

While the band never officially broke up, they have been on hiatus since the late nineties, playing only a couple of shows a year with the only objective being to have fun.

“We’re not really a band anymore, we get together for a few gigs here and there, but only for things we like to do,” Dale tells timeOUT.

“Cairns came up and we didn’t think about it too much and we’re also doing Day On The Green in November and a run of gigs with Baby Animals later in the year, too.

“There is no pressure now, so it’s total fun. We don’t take it too seriously anymore and we see every show as a chance for us to get together and have some fun.”

Of course, when you’ve been together for more than 25 years, it’s not hard to make a good show come together.
Dale says belting out the big hits has never been easier, thanks to a few changes in lifestyle and renewed focus on his craft.

“I don’t know what happened, but at some point you just stop worrying about how you look and start worrying about how you sing,” he says.

“I’ve stopped smoking, I’m fitter and my voice is better for it. The strange thing is, in most professions, the more experience you have, the better you get. But for some reason with music, people sometimes see it the other way. I think that’s rubbish, as you get more experienced, you get better at what you do. The only shame is that I’ll have to stop doing it one day.”

Dale says when Boom Crash Opera rocks the stage at the Reef Hotel Casino this weekend, expect all their big hits – including Onion Skin, Great Wall, Hands Up In The Air and Dancing In The Storm – alongside a few lesser-heard gems from their back catalogue, too.

“It’s a hits and misses show,” Dale says.

“We’ll do a bit of acoustic show first, then crack in with the full band. Come around and have some fun, we’re very approachable and hope everyone comes up and says hello after the show.”

>> Boom Crash Opera are at Vertigo Cocktail Bar & Lounge at Reef Hotel Casino Friday and Saturday, from 9.30pm nightly. Entry is free.

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