John Schumann’s corrugated highway

IN the Autumn of 1983, John Schumann and his folk group Redgum set a new standard with their seminal Sydney concert and the ensuing live album, Caught in the Act.

More than four decades later Schumann is embarking on another live project with long-standing band The Vagabond Crew. Corrugated Highway is set to be recorded over two nights in Melbourne later this month.

The album and tour will feature songs and stories from his show The Redgum Years.

The Adelaide-based musician has always been cautious performing the group’s songs live.

“When I’m out doing the John Schumann songbook, I play those songs that I wrote in Redgum, because they’re mine, but I was always careful about the band’s memory and its integrity and identity,” he said.

“My contribution to Redgum was a bunch of songs, and the Chips-Rafferty-with-a-cold voice, but also that I always talked between the songs.”

Talking about society’s ills is what Schumann does best, and five years after the band’s debut in 1978, Caught in the Act launched what became Australia’s most anthemic anti-war song, I Was Only 19.

From Indigenous issues to war, the establishment and the environment, Schumann has always been an ardent and vociferous voice against injustice.

But the singer and songwriter, now 72, admits the fighting is tiring.

“I recently had this discussion with Shane Howard – here we both are at this age still having the same fights,” he said.

“It gets very frustrating. You think you win a battle, and gradually the forces of reaction creep back into the territory that you’ve gained, and you have to fight all over again.

“Why do we have all these bloody wars in the first place, only to be fighting them all again on different fronts?”

The secret to Schumann’s stamina is simple.

“If you don’t fight, you lose,” he said.

“That’s not my line, it’s from the song Killing Floor and the title of Redgum’s first album, but that’s the answer to that.”

“People like Shane and me, we can’t change the world, but we can shout from the sidelines, which is what we do.

“We keep writing these songs, making these points, touring, performing, and trying to remind people there’s a great deal to recommend Australia.

“We are a fantastic nation, but of course, there are improvements to be made.”

Schumann and The Vagabond Crew play Byron Bay Theatre on October 22.

For tickets, visit byroncentre.com.au