I've seen THE VINES live twice now and both shows were over the calibre of near-legendary, for completely opposing reasons. If it weren't for Craig Nicholls' cartoon-character-type uniform of jeans and green jacket, I'd be forgiven for thinking they were two entirely separate entities. The first show, a main-stage set at 2003's Big Day Out was one of the worst, yet one of the most comical events I've ever seen grace a stage. Alternating between throwing his Fender over his head or barely mumbling the lyrics to his own songs, Nicholls' erratic behaviour was the subject of speculation among the music media and sunburnt punters alike and was also rumoured to have caused the Vines to be banned from any further tours on the lucrative BDO circuit.

The second show, a Channel V-sponsored 'exclusive' filming my main girl Bec managed to find tickets for, was at the total other end of the spectrum. Recorded as a launch for the fourth album, Melodia, the set was nothing if not professional (and admittedly, at points a little dull). The only remnants of the 'Crazy Craig, as he'd been dubbed by the English press, seemed somewhat scripted - the occasional yelp or lassoing of the guitar was caught by the number of television cameras roaming the venue. But as the annoying Channel V hostess announced, the Vines were indeed back in force to take back what was taken from them.

If ever there was to be a parable warning young and naive bands of the dangers of the hype machine and NME, the Vines' story would be it. As it goes, Sydney band are plucked from obscurity, release a number of demos and EPs on the sly, before 2002's Highly Evolved LP throws the band in to the spotlight - more so in the UK, US and Europe before a few spins of Get Free on Triple J make the band as loved in their homeland as elsewhere. After a series of articles touting the band as 'the new Nirvana' and one fourth of the 'New Rock Revolution' (putting the boys on par with Sweden's the Hives, and Americans the White Stripes and the Strokes), the band seeming collapsed in a heap of hyperbole, Asperger's diagnoses disappointing, follow up releases and the departure of founding member and bass player Patrick Matthews.

But all this is behind them now. Richard Kingsmill is among one of the recognisable faces (voices?) behind the Vines' second wind, recently railing against the English press for their treatment of the band and congratulating the Vines for overcoming their difficult twists of fate to not just release Melodia, but to tour extensively throughout Australia in support of it, which they have never done before. Hamish Rosser seems oddly nonchalant about the turbulent course the band's career took after he joined as drummer post-the recording of Highly Evolved in 2002.

But maybe because he never accepted it as a nail in the New Rock coffin so to speak, "We played in Brisbane and Fab (Moretti, of the Strokes) was there 'cus he was touring with Har Mar Superstar... and he was like 'yeah, man! we were part of something!", saying it like it's over' Rosser says, expressing his obvious bafflement at the concept of, as he puts it, garage rock being 'over' or just merely a passing trend. Although he his quick to admit that, "anything that becomes massively popular is bound to pass in time. At the moment we've got all these fringe-rock bands, I think they're at the height of their powers now and in three years time it'll be something else. It's good to be part of it while it's big, I suppose, rather than you chasing something that's already passed."

Nor is he holding any grudges against the press, "You can't shape popular opinion" he almost laughs."You know we could have tried to jump on the next train straight away but you gotta stay true." 

Returning to the studio for Melodia was also a return for producer Rob Schnapf, who had not only been the man behind works from Beck, Foo Fighters and Elliott Smith, had also worked with the Vines previously on Highly Evolved. "We knew what he is production sounded like and so we got back with him. If anything, you know, it was part of belief we could hit it again."The extent of the influence of other bands is often an avenue of easy criticism for the band, a fact which Rosser is either entirely unaware of, or is merely unapologetic for it. Melodia, however, has welcomed a fresher selection of bands then the previous 60s rock dinosaur influences of the previous records. "We listened to a lot of the Killers, Muse was a very big influence on Craig and that comes through on songs like Jamola. Craig writes everything and it's always back to the 60s with him."

Although Rosser is quick to admit that the best shows for them as a band have been in the UK, the comprehensive Australian tour is something he is very excited for, mentioning that he's played the ANU before with other bands, but never with the Vines."The shows will be awesome", he says with unquestionable conviction and a massive laugh. 

The Vines will play at the ANU Bar on Firday October 24, joined by Wolf & Cub. Tickets on sale from Ticketek.