Mere hours before they hit the stage of the Traralgon Saloon Bar we talk to Grinspoon; one of Australia’s finest ambassadors when it comes to hard rock.

Grinspoon have been a functioning unit for over a decade now. When you first started, did you ever dream you would be in this position so far down the track?

Definitely not. We had absolutely no idea what we were getting into when we first started. It’s crazy to think we're six albums down the track... We always had a lot of ambition and a big work ethic, but we were usually pretty unfocused - and drunk, ha ha…

Six To Midnight was a return to the darker, grungier side, yet still managed to showcase your other sounds. The album has been out for a year now, how do you feel about it?

I had a listen to it for the first time ages the other day, and I reckon it stacks up pretty well - there're a few songs in there that I'd kind of forgotten about which were really cool. Made me think we should be playing a few of the more obscure tracks off the album.

Grinspoon were the winners of the first ever Triple J Unearthed competition. How important was winning that competition to launching your career?

It was super important in giving us a leg up and bringing us some national recognition. The song that won was "Sickfest", and it went on to become the most requested song on Triple J for the 12 weeks. Obviously that helped. Even with winning the comp, we still had to work our butts off to make the most of it though - at first we thought we'd be instantly huge, but it took us ages to get a record deal…

You guys are from a small rural NSW town. Do you find it important to get out and visit the smaller towns rather than just playing the big cities?

We'll play anywhere, big or small. Being from a regional area we all know how cool it is when bands come into town - often the regional gigs are the best 'cause everyone is just so pumped to see a touring band. City gigs are cool too, but people there get to see bands all the time - plus regional gigs give us a chance to see heaps of Australia.

Do you have a favourite Grinspoon album?

If I had to say one, it would be New Detention, but Six to Midnight is up there, as is our debut, Guide to Better Living. I like the hard, fast, raucous stuff. All these albums have songs that are really energetic and great to play live.

What advice would you offer to young musicians trying to get their music out there?

Just write as much original stuff as you can, and be prepared to take any gig, anywhere. Work hard and have fun and the returns will come along. Don't be to big for your boots when you first start, remember, everyone starts somewhere. And if you're a band, stick together through thick and thin - don't start sacking band members over little jealousies and stuff; your band mates are your best assets.

You guys have been playing a lot of shows over the past few years with a lot of different artists. Who was the most fun?

Shihad, Unwritten Law, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Snowdroppers... the list goes on.

What are the last five albums you listened to?

Eels - Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, Calling all Cars, Them Crooked Vultures, Holly McNarland, The Bronx.

Thanks guys, looking forward to seeing you rock the Saloon Bar stage in Traralgon!

Yeah we will!