Powderfinger’s Bassist to Open Live Music Venue in Brisbane

John 'JC' Collins, bassist from the legendary but now defunct Powderfinger, is set to open his own midsize music venue in Brisbane. It’s expected that the venue will be open by November this year and goes by the name Triffid. We’re not sure if that’s a homage to the alternative rock group from Perth or if Collins has a penchant for terrifying albeit fictitious plants, but whatever the case Brisbane is about to receive a much needed venue and that's good enough for us.

The 800-capacity venue will be located in Newstead, housed in one of the iconic World War II hangars in the area. Although live music is high on the agenda, Collins told The Music the space will have secondary purposes. "We want to make it Newstead’s backyard," he said. "Somewhere to come and hang out after work, hear some music, have a drink and grab some food."

Collins is conscious of the constant battle many live music venues have with their residential neighbours, and he's making every effort to construct the venue to make sure this is not a problem. "We have been talking to acoustic engineers to make sure it isn’t pumping out volume to the neighbours, because inside we are going to have the best, professional gear and a big enough stage for decent-sized acts," says Collins.

Collins is working with Graham Ashton, founder of Footstomp Music and executive programmer of BIGSOUND, to help book acts for the venue. "We are hoping to have a really local flavour, so it would be great to have a good local act in there on the first night,” says Collins. Ashton also signed Powderfinger to Polydor in the early '90s, so you could say he knows what's up.

Local flavour hey? Any chance of getting The Finger back together for an opening night gig? Sadly, we don’t recommend you put your money on it as Collins confirms, "I would love to say Powderfinger will open the place, but that’s not going to happen."

Via The Music.