2009 The Feelers members announced that a new album was in production. In September they released details of a competition with MasterCard, where two winners would fly to the Cook Islands, and sing and appear in the video of their single "Blue Skies". In an interview with radio station The Rock FM from Rarotonga that October, The Feelers mentioned that the new album would not be released for several months, but the album did not appear. After extended delays, a new album was finally announced for release in August 2011. In November 2009, the Feelers announced an annual summer tour, adding an as yet unreleased song to the live gigs, "Open Up The Ground". In March 2010, the band released a cover version of Jesus Jones hit, "Right Here, Right Now", as the anthem to the 2011 Rugby World Cup advertising campaign. The New Zealand Herald wrote that the announcement had been "widely panned by New Zealanders posting on the social networking site Twitter", though the newspaper added that some had expressed relief that The Feelers had been chosen, over other Kiwi bands. In 2011, the band released the album Hope Nature Forgives. James Reid's brother is singer-songwriter Donald Reid. Matt Thomas' brother is Gareth Thomas, keyboardist in New Zealand band Goodshirt. Their song "Stand Up" featured as the campaign song for the New Zealand National Party during the 2011 New Zealand election. Solo careers In November 2013, Reid released his first solo album, Saint. Members From its formation in the early 1990s until 2008, The Feelers consisted of the same members. In 2008 bassist Matt Thomas departed, replaced by Matt Short and shortly after, long time friend of the band Clint Harris from Opshop joined the band. Guitarist Andy Lynch, who had played guitar for The Feelers on some previous tours, was added permanently to the line-up in 2006. Current James Reid – vocals, guitar (1992–present) Hamish Gee – drums, guitar (1992–present) Andy Lynch – guitar (2008–present) Clinton Harris – bass (2011–present) Previous Matt Thomas – bass (1993–2008) Tim Skedden – Guitar (1993–2007) Matt Short – bass (2008–2011) Timeline Discography The Feelers Supersystem (1998) Communicate (2001) Playground Battle (2003) One World (2006) Hope Nature Forgives (2011) Solo albums James Reid Saint (2013) References External links The official Feelers website The Feelers on MySpace Amplifier.co.nz – The Feelers APRA Award winners New Zealand pop rock groups