Powderfinger may be forced to delay their sixth album pending a legal investigation into the lyrics of one of the tracks.
It's been suggested that the track 'Black Tears' refers to the death in custody of Aboriginal man Mulrunji at Palm Island in 2004. The tune begins with the stanza, "An island watchouse bed / A black man's lying dead". Other lyrics cannot be printed for legal reasons.The issue lies in the fact that the trial of former Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, who faces a manslaughter charge relating to Mulrunji's death, is yet to get underway. The two-week trial is scheduled to begin on June 12, not long after the scheduled June 2 release date of the 'Dream Days at the Hotel Existence' album.
Mr Hurley's lawyer, Glen Cranny, is concerned that the track could prejudice his client's trial. He told News Ltd, "the content and proposed timing of the song's release raises some serious concerns regarding Mr Hurley's trial."
Whilst Powderfinger's management are seeking legal advice, record label Universal remain confident that the album will be released as scheduled. There is virtually no chance that the track will be deleted from the album. If the song is deemed to be problematic, it will have to be released after the conclusion of Mr Hurley's trial in late June. Any delay would only be applicable in Queensland and online.
This isn't the first time Powderfinger have dealt with political themes. The track 'The Day You Come' from 1998's 'Internationalist' album was an attack against the rise of Pauline Hanson, whilst 'Like A Dog' from the 'Odyssey Number Five' album of 2000 took a swipe at John Howard.
