GRINSPOON LEAD SINGER, PHIL JAMIESON HAS TAKEN A SURPRISING, THEATRICAL CAREER TWIST. HE TELLS MATT MYERS ABOUT HIS ROLE IN THE GREEN DAY MUSICAL, AMERICAN IDIOT.

STRAIGHT MATE

DNA: We know you as the lead singer of Grinspoon, and now here you are in American Idiot doing musical theatre. How did that come about?

Phil Jamieson: Last year my management said they had something a bit left-ofcenter that may be of interest. I said yes immediately because it sounded different and fun. I didn’t realise just how challenging it would be. In rehearsals I thought, “I can’t do this” and “I can’t do that”. I was flabbergasted. I was sharing the role with Chris Cheney from The Living End and we were comparing notes going, “Whoa!” And I was surrounded by all these incredibly talented young people who could sing, dance, act, and do cartwheels, so it was all fairly intimidating. Ultimately, I got my groove on, relaxed and enjoyed it. It was really flattering to be asked back for the touring season. I’ve gotten so much out of this, including a wonderful sense of camaraderie, teamwork and great friendships.