Harry Vanda, Easybeats Legend, Unleashes Garage Rock Anthem ‘Devil Loose’ at 79
A remarkable turn of events has seen Harry Vanda, the last surviving member of The Easybeats and a foundational figure in Australian rock music, release his first solo single, “Devil Loose,” at the age of 79. The three-minute track, described as a stomping, sneering garage rock revival, arrives decades after vanda helped define the sound of a generation.
Vanda,known for his typically laconic style,explained the unexpected release stemmed from a profound dissatisfaction with the current state of the world. “Actually, the state of the world gave me a bit of a shock. It was so bloody awful. The place is going to rack and ruin! So, I couldn’t help myself! I had to make a comment!” he stated.
The song’s title and lyrical content hint at a broader commentary, though Vanda remains tight-lipped about specific political interpretations. When asked if the “devil” referenced in the song alluded to figures in power, he demurred, stating, “I don’t get involved in politics. Too risky!”
The release is especially poignant given the recent losses within the Easybeats family. Drummer Snowy Fleet passed away earlier this year, while singer Stevie Wright died in 2015 and songwriting partner George Young in 2017. Vanda acknowledged the weight of these losses, but expressed a determination to continue creating.
Vanda and Young then became prolific songwriters and producers, shaping the careers of artists like john Paul Young, AC/DC, The Angels, and Rose Tattoo. Thay also explored new sonic territories with their studio project, Flash and the Pan, whose song “Walking in the Rain” became the opening track on Grace Jones’s seminal album, Nightclubbing.
Their compositions have endured through countless covers, with versions by suzi Quatro, Rod Stewart, and the Bay City Rollers, among others. Vanda singled out Jimmy barnes and Keith Urban’s rendition of “Good Times” as a personal favorite, preferring it to an earlier version by Barnsey and INXS.
vanda’s perspective on AC/DC’s current lineup reveals a critical ear. While he considers “It’s a Long Way to the Top” the greatest Australian song ever written, he expressed disappointment with the band’s direction following the death of Malcolm Young in 2017. “When Malcolm was with them,they were unbelievably good.When Malcolm died, it got very tough; they had to get other people in and just lost it. They really lost their togetherness.”
Mark McEntee, lead guitarist of Divinyls, lauded Vanda as “the father of Australian music,” having collaborated with him on the recording of “Devil Loose.” Divinyls themselves previously covered The Easybeats’ “I’ll Make You Happy,” a testament to the band’s enduring influence. “I loved that song,that sound,” McEntee shared. “I loved everything about the inventiveness of it. they were a great rock band, the Easybeats. There ain’t many that come in that calibre. You can count ’em on two hands.”
Looking ahead, Vanda remains open to further creative endeavors. “I’ve got quite a few tunes, but I have not been beavering away, no,” he said. “They either come or they don’t. And they generally haven’t for a while.” Though, he hinted at potential collaborations with McEntee, acknowledging, “There’s no shortage of material … maybe, with Mark. He’s got some good ideas that fit my type of thinking. I’m just looking for exciting songs.”
“Devil Loose” is available now, accompanied by a three-part podcast, Devil Loose: The life and music of Harry Vanda, with the final episode set for release on October 13.
