As you may have heard, Jimmy Barnes underwent open heart surgery yesterday, after copping a nasty bacterial infection. Australia’s favourite rocker is recovering well, but has cancelled his summer touring comittments – including Street Machine Summernats 36. This will be the second false start at a Nats appearance for Jimmy, who had to pull out of Summernats 35 due to back and hip surgery. D’oh.

While Jimmy is resting up, the Summernats team have been working the phones and have secured 90s alternative rockers Grinspoon to fill in the large Barsney-sized hole in the lineup.

Joining the Grinners on stage on the Friday night will be Night Train, The Screaming Jets and the ever-popular Daryl Braithwaite. Epic!

Frontman Phil Jamieson said, “We’re absolutely stoked to be coming to the Nats, and proud to step in for Jimmy Barnes while he gets on the mend. We haven’t been to Canberra in a long time. It’ll be great to hook up with Daryl Braithwaite and the Screaming Jets in front of that mad Summernats crowd.”

It wil be a big event for music. Those who have purchased Wednesday camping tickets will get to enjoy 80s heroes Dragon and the synthy new-wave goodness of up-and-comers VoxNeon on the EPIC Main Stage.

And after the Supercruise on Saturday night, Hot Dub Time Machine will rock the house once more!

Summernats 36 promising to be a top event, no risk, with a stack of new cars being unveiled on Thursday night.

We’ll also have some cool overseas vistors this year, including Zac and Hert and a fleet of Kiwi burnout cars! We’ll see you there, champions.