AS an Irish-born lad new to Australia, Ian Kenny clearly remembers his first taste of Australian rock.
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It was Australia Day in Perth during 1987. He was only seven.
"There was a massive celebration and fireworks down by the river and it was huge and I remember through the night seeing my dad and my mum dancing to Working Class Man," he said.
"That was my first introduction to Jimmy Barnes and to the sounds of that type of Australian rock."
Having migrated to Australia in late 1985, the Birds of Tokyo frontman said Australia was a revelation.
He was struck by Barnsey's voice, but even more caught up in the moment.
"I have this wonderful memory of my parents dancing to Jimmy Barnes," Kenny said.
"We've come from Ireland: it's 34 degrees, there's fireworks, there's beer, it's just like a complete scene change for my family."
Now Birds of Tokyo will join Cold Chisel on their Blood Moon Tour 2020, which is coming to All Saints Estate at Wahgunyah on Tuesday, January 7.
Magic Dirt completes the bill.
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In an interview with The Border Mail on Friday morning ahead of Birds of Tokyo's performance at Wodonga Gold Cup, Kenny said Cold Chisel had long been an influence.
"Only now because we know what it takes to write a decent song, I now know the song writing capability of Cold Chisel is second-to-none; it's really master craftsmanship," he said.
"It's going to be wild, it's going to be huge; it's going to be a bit of a beautiful education coming up really in so many ways."
Formed in 2004 from a collaboration of members from Tragic Delicate and Karnivool, Birds of Tokyo found a loyal following for its brand of alternative rock, both at home and abroad.
Across five studio albums, their authentic songwriting has resonated with many - none more so than their February hit Good Lord.
Exploring his messy marriage breakup in the lyrics, Kenny said his band helped him get into a "semi-comfortable" space with it.
He said it took a while to be true to the story.
"Once you accept the terms you're dealt with and you can find a way to say it, then you can move on.
"That was my healing and practice with that song.
"It was the first time in a long time that I'd exposed myself in that way and it was the first time in a long time that I'd felt that kind of freedom in songwriting.
"At the end of the day, if you can get out something that's true it will affect more people than you think."
Blood Moon Tour 2020 at All Saints Estate on January 7 starts at 5.15pm.
Tickets are now on sale.
