Shine On

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Shine On" by The Screaming Jets, a track from their 1991 debut album All for One, and the Zoo Freaks are loving the raw energy it brings to THE ZOO radio station. This song, released as the third single from the album, peaked at number 36 on the ARIA Charts and became a fan favorite for its gritty, anthemic vibe. In a 1991 interview with Rip It Up magazine, frontman Dave Gleeson described "Shine On" as a song about resilience, saying it was inspired by "pushing through the tough times and keeping your fire alive." The band recorded the album, including this track, in Sydney’s Paradise Studios, where producer Steve James encouraged them to capture their live energy, resulting in the song’s punchy, unpolished sound. A lesser-known tidbit: the single’s B-side featured live tracks recorded at The Palais in Newcastle in May 1991, showcasing the band’s electric stage presence that Zoo Freaks would no doubt vibe with.

Another piece of trivia comes from a 2011 fan post on the Screaming Jets Fan Club Facebook group, where a longtime listener shared a story about hearing "Shine On" played at a Newcastle pub gig in the early ’90s. According to the fan, Gleeson dedicated the song to local workers struggling through economic downturns, turning it into a blue-collar anthem for the crowd. The song’s music video, though simple, leaned into the band’s no-frills attitude, featuring them performing in a dimly lit warehouse—a nod to their roots in sweaty, packed venues. In a 2021 Instagram post on @thescreamingjets, the band reflected on the All for One 30th anniversary re-release, noting that "Shine On" remained a staple in their live sets because of its enduring connection with fans who “sing it louder than we do.”

The Screaming Jets formed in Newcastle, Australia, in 1989, born out of the city’s gritty pub rock scene. The core lineup—singer Dave Gleeson, bassist Paul Woseen, guitarists Grant Walmsley and Richard Lara, and drummer Brad Heaney—came together after playing in various local bands, including Aspect, where Gleeson, Woseen, and Walmsley first collaborated. Their big break came when they won the inaugural Triple J National Band Competition in November 1989, a victory that landed them a deal with Sydney’s independent label rooArt. As Gleeson recalled in a 2016 interview with Loud Online, “We were just a bunch of mates who loved playing loud and drinking hard, and suddenly we’re on a stage with a contract.” Their debut EP, The Scorching Adventures of the Screaming Jets, earned an ARIA Award nomination, setting the stage for All for One’s success. The band’s early years were marked by relentless touring, supporting acts like The Angels and honing their high-octane live shows.

You can keep up with The Screaming Jets through their official channels: their website at thescreamingjets.com.au, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on the Screaming Jets Fan Club Facebook group, a lively space where Zoo Freaks and other diehards share gig photos, memorabilia, and stories about the band’s 30-plus years of rocking. For more fan-driven content, check out Oz Music Central, a fan site dedicated to Australian rock, featuring discographies and throwback reviews of the band’s work.