A deep-rooted friendship blossomed between two boys in Canberra, Australia, over shared band T-shirts, ultimately leading to the release of their debut album, *Belconnen Highs*. The album, inspired by their musical journey, serves as a tribute to their enduring bond and the power of music.
The story began in a school where Pete Lusty sported a T-shirt emblazoned with The Clash, while James Roden, a young boy from Hawker Primary, wore one featuring The Jam. This simple connection sparked a lasting friendship. “We had something to talk about based on the T-shirts or the bands we liked,” Roden recalls. “And it really never stopped.”
As teenagers, the duo immersed themselves in music, buying guitars from pawn shops and spending their savings on vinyl records at Impact Records, a local store that opened doors to diverse musical experiences. They snuck into the Australian National University bar to watch live performances, navigating their teenage years in a city that felt new and exciting.
Now, after years of pursuing separate paths, Roden has released *Belconnen Highs*, the first and last album from their band, Snakeheads. The 17-track collection is infused with their shared love of punk and rock, with one song even referencing the Route 333 bus that once connected them. “It was all about music. It was how you dressed. It was where you shopped, what you did on the weekends,” Roden reflects.
Following their university years, Roden moved to Sydney while Lusty made strides in the music industry, co-founding Ivy League Records in the late 1990s. The label became known for promoting Australian talent, releasing music from notable bands like Youth Group and The Rubens. Lusty’s journey as a music manager was fruitful, but the call to create music remained strong for both men.
Nearly a decade ago, Lusty and Roden decided to rekindle their musical collaboration under the name Snakeheads. They aimed to recapture the carefree spirit of their youth, playing music just for the joy of it. Their previous band, The John Reed Club, had disbanded shortly after signing a record deal, leaving them yearning for creative expression.
Roden notes, “You’ve got these sort of parallel lives where they’re doing very well with managing huge bands. But I was playing to no one or sometimes playing to good crowds.” Their Monday night jam sessions became a social outlet, allowing them to reconnect and explore their musical ideas without pressure.
Initially, their sessions produced an overwhelming number of tracks, leading to a logistical challenge in organizing their work. With the help of friend and producer Wayne Connolly, they expanded their group to include Kit Warhurst from Rocket Science and Roden’s brother, Harry, on bass. They recorded several tracks, but then tragedy struck.
In mid-2019, Lusty was diagnosed with high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite undergoing treatment, his condition worsened, prompting a search for new options in Boston. “Until the day he died, I don’t think any of us really thought he would die, even though he was unbelievably sick,” Roden remembers.
Lusty’s illness put the album on hold, but even during hospital visits, they continued to discuss their music, sharing thoughts on mixes and future plans. Just two weeks before his death in 2020, they were still collaborating on their vision for the album.
After Lusty’s passing at the age of 49, Roden found himself grappling with loss. “I wouldn’t say I was very sane for a couple of years,” he admits. Nonetheless, he clung to the project as a source of comfort. “Having the project… even if it’s bubbling, that definitely was a good thing,” he explains.
The creation of *Belconnen Highs* became a testament to their friendship. Roden describes the album as a “DIY, very punk” effort, relying on the support of friends to complete the work. He sees the album as a celebration of the decades-long bond he shared with Lusty, which began with their early days of discovering music together in Canberra.
“He’s known as this manager guy. People often said he was way cooler than most of the bands he managed, in my view. He was a legend,” Roden reflects. He emphasizes that the album serves as a tribute to Lusty and the essence of their shared experiences.
Released on Cassell Records, established by Youth Group founding member Andy Cassell, *Belconnen Highs* encapsulates the journey of two friends who turned their passion for music into a lasting legacy. Roden expresses a profound appreciation for the album, stating, “There’s something absolutely beautiful about holding a record, the weight of it, the size of it, the art.”
In an era where music often feels fleeting, the story of Snakeheads and their debut album stands as a poignant reminder of the power of friendship and the enduring impact of music.
