Face the Day

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Face the Day" by The Angels from their 1980 album Dark Room, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its raw energy. This track, the twelfth single by the Australian hard rock legends, carries a gritty, rebellious spirit, capturing the struggle of facing a harsh world after a long, unforgiving night. One piece of trivia that stands out is that "Face the Day" was covered by American hard rock band Great White in 1986 for their album Shot In the Dark, where it served as the lead single, giving the song a second life across the Pacific. The song’s lyrics, penned by the Brewster brothers and Doc Neeson, paint a vivid picture of urban alienation—lines like “screaming city, red lights and hungry eyes” evoke a dystopian cityscape that resonated with fans in Australia and New Zealand, where the single charted at number 67 on the Kent Music Report and number 30 on the Recorded Music NZ charts, respectively.

Digging into the song’s creation, Dark Room marked a pivotal moment for The Angels, as it was their first album with CBS/Epic, co-produced by John and Richard Brewster. In interviews, the band has described the album’s recording as a high-pressure endeavor, with "Face the Day" emerging as a fan favorite for its driving rhythm and introspective edge. A lesser-known story comes from a 1980s fanzine where Doc Neeson shared that the song’s theme was inspired by the band’s grueling tour schedules—endless nights on the road left them dreading the “daggers of dawn.” The Angels’ official Facebook page has occasionally posted throwback photos from the Dark Room era, with fans in the comments reminiscing about hearing "Face the Day" live in sweaty pubs across Australia, a testament to its enduring impact.

The Angels, originally formed as The Moonshine Jug & String Band in Adelaide, Australia, in 1974, began their journey far from the hard rock sound they’d later master. The band, led by brothers John and Richard Brewster, started playing acoustic folk and jug band music in local pubs, with Bernard “Doc” Neeson joining as a charismatic frontman. Their early gigs were chaotic, blending covers with original songs, but their raw energy caught attention. By the mid-1970s, they shifted to electric instruments and adopted a harder edge, renaming themselves The Angels. Their big break came with their 1977 debut album, The Angels, which included the hit “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again,” a song that became an Australian anthem. The band’s relentless touring and genre-bending style—mixing punk, blues, and rock—earned them a cult following, setting the stage for albums like Dark Room.

Fans can stay connected with The Angels through their official website, where they share tour dates and merch, or follow their Facebook and Instagram for updates and nostalgic posts. Their X account is less active but occasionally shares news about gigs or re-releases. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the The Angels (Angel City) Fan Club on Facebook is a lively hub where fans swap stories, rare photos, and vinyl finds. Another fan-driven space is the The Angels Australian Rock Band group, where devotees discuss everything from Dark Room trivia to the band’s influence on Aussie rock. These communities keep the spirit of The Angels alive, much like the Zoo Crew keeps the airwaves buzzing with their timeless tracks.