Why this I Am Giant tour will be their last

I Am Giant are calling it quits after their third album and final tour.

I Am Giant are calling it quits after one final tour. The rock trio tell Chris Schulz why.

Paul Matthews had just finished a performance with I Am Giant in Perth when he spotted Slash standing backstage.

Matthews' band were opening for the Guns N' Roses guitarist during his solo tour in 2012, and he was surprised to see his favourite guitarist watching their show.

Even more surprising was that Slash was holding his guitar and had something important to say to Matthews.

"He's standing there playing the riff for one of our songs called The Escape Artist on his Gibson," Matthews tells TimeOut.

"He was like, 'Dude, I like this riff!'"

Having a riff approved by Slash was one of those moments that had made Matthews' hard work pay off.

"I was a huge fan of Guns N' Roses when I was a kid - I still am - and he's such a legend, so that was really a great moment," he says.

But moments like that are about to end for the Kiwi trio behind I Am Giant, the group that started in West Auckland 10 years ago and features bassist Matthews, drummer Shelton Woolright and singer Aja Timu.

They've just released their last album, Life in Captivity, and following the completion of a nationwide tour, one that hits Auckland this weekend, they're calling it quits,

Matthews says the trio live in separate countries, making it too hard for them to make the band work.

"We won't be making another album ultimately because we've ended up living in different countries and it's just too hard to get together and be the productive and best possible I Am Giant," he says.

Also of concern is becoming "those old guys who keep putting out records when people only really listen to their first few".

Matthews admits it was a big decision to end the band, especially after an outpouring of grief from fans when they heard the news.

"Some people have had lyrics tattooed on them," he says.

But he easily reels off a list of the band's favourite moments, from performing on the main stage at festivals such as the Big Day Out and Poland's Orange Festival, nearly putting a van over the edge of a cliff in the French Alps, and, of course, finding Slash backstage playing the band's song.

"We have had a great 10 years together, met amazing people, have travelled the world, and played at awesome festivals and venues," says Matthews.

"We truly thank our fans for making that possible."

LOWDOWN
Who: Paul Matthews from I Am Giant
What: Final tour hits Auckland's Galatos on Saturday night. Also performing in Hamilton on April 13, Nelson on April 19, Greymouth on April 20 and Christchurch on April 21 and 22.
Also: New album Life in Captivity out now