IT IS no secret that Simply Bushed are two of the most patriotic musicians in Australian country music – and their latest EP delves into the unspoken issues our servicemen and women face.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Military Issue is the latest offering from the dynamic duo that is Paul Grierson and Chris Rieger and it takes listeners on a journey of gratitude and awareness.
The duo are no strangers to service to their country, having played for Australian and allied troops in the Sinai and Solomon Islands, and are on a mission to reach out to veterans suffering the effects of active service.
The single, Raise Your Glass, released for Remembrance Day last year, was a CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia finalist in Video Clip of the Year and won Anzac Song of the Year at the Tamworth Songwriters' Association Awards in January.
Months on, it still continues to to resonate with listeners.
As well as the single, Military Issue contains previously-released tracks Father's Day, Rose and The Stone, and No Slouch.
“The song Raise Your Glass has been around for a little while, and a lot of people who listen to us are beyond the ITunes era,” Grierson said.
“We wanted them to have the physical song, but then Chris and I thought we have been inspired and learnt so much with the military over the years and have used it as a topic in our songs numerous times.
“So we bundled it all together as an EP about the military.”
“It means all the songs that Chris and I have created together are available physically.”
Grierson said fans would uncover a hidden meaning to the songs when listening to the new release.
“There’s a double meaning behind Military Issue, there are young guys coming back from a lot of tours at the moment who are struggling with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – so that is the military issue we refer to,” he said.
Rieger said the duo are closely connected with the military, with his own family members involved in active service at some point in their lives.
“It is very real to everybody,” he said.
“We had a wonderful opportunity in the Solomon Islands and we recognised what everyone is doing. What our armed forces are doing over there is far beyond what people understand at home. We are so lucky. It’s the passion that we have in us that enables us to write about it and sing about it.”
Grierson said the music has been well received by the military and its associated publications. He hoped the EP would serve has a tribute to the serving and the fallen as a soundtrack to Anzac Day commemorations across the nation.
”We’re really pleased the songs are being used in that way,” he said.