The Whitlams’ frontman loves the feel of the restored art deco theatre, a sight vastly different to what it was during the days he was writing the group’s debut album Eternal Nightcap in the mid-1990s.

“I dropped in there when it was a roller skating rink. I used to rent a house around the corner,” Freedman told the Mercury.

“I used to sit at Thirroul pool and hear [our song] I Make Hamburgers come over the speakers on Triple J when the band had broken up ... and that was when I decided to put the band back together.”

That third album spawned some of The Whitlams’ most well known piano-rock ballads such as No Aphrodisiac and You Sound Like Louis Burdett. It’s been 21 years since the record was released, and 25 years since the band started making music.

Throughout April, May and June the four-piece are celebrating their milestone with a jaunt through their favourite venues around the country, including Anita’s Theatre on May 18.

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The Whitlams' line up of Freedman on piano and vocals, Jak Housden on guitar, Warwick Hornby on bass and Terepai Richmond on drums will be delivering the sort of sprawling, rambunctious set they have become famous for.

“Rock and roll’s a good thing because you’re just as good at it when you’re a bit older as you are when you were younger. I find bands get better with age, so I’m just looking forward … to when the band starts sounding like a shiny beast and all the parts are fitting together again,” Freedman said.

The band's career achievements include seven albums, three multi-Platinum and three Gold, and three ARIA Awards including the Best Group presented by Gough Whitlam in 1998. In 2011 Eternal Nightcap was voted 27th on the ABC's ‘My Favourite Album’ poll, and more recently earned the 17th spot in ‘Triple J’s Hottest Australian Albums of All Time’.

The Whitlams with support act Perry Keyes, Anita’s Theatre Thirroul, May 18. For tickets and more tour dates visit: thewhitlams.com/events