'Grunts' take pride of place in Crowe's heart

While he is awaiting the release of his new film Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, Russel Crowe is focusing his attention on his rock band 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts.

He and the band are on a five-night stand at Chicago’s House of Blues this week and have a new CD, Other Ways of Speaking, out.

A documentary featuring the band in concert airs in the US this month and it will also perform with Kris Kristofferson on a TV show to be screened later this year.

Despite his success as an actor, Crowe tells USA Today: “I never stopped playing music. And I don’t intend to, even if someone thinks it’s not cool.

“All I’m ambitious about is, is our new album better than the last one? All I’ve ever wanted is to be able to write a half-decent song and perform it.”

Acting, in contrast, “requires more intensity,” he says. His next project, Cinderella Man, in which he will play a Depression-era boxer opposite Renee Zellweger, is due to begin filming next year.