Russell Crowe slams critics of his rock band who say the Hollywood star should ‘stay in his lane’

Russell Crowe may be known as one of Australia’s best acting exports.

But some fans of the 58-year-old Hollywood star may not know that she’s also had a formidable bubbly music career since the 1980s.

The rocker, who once sang under the stage name Russ le Roq, opened up about his love of music in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph this weekend, insisting that he will not stop singing despite what the critics say.

Russell Crowe, 58, has lashed out at critics of his rock band who say the Hollywood star should “stay in his lane” and stick to acting. Russell pictured performing with The Ordinary Fear of God on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2006

“When I got hot and famous for acting, the critics were like ‘stay in your lane’ and all that, but what’s your lane?” said the Gladiator star.

“The reality is that music has always been very important to me, and while I don’t talk about it all the time, it’s simultaneous with everything I do creatively,” he continued.

The New Zealand-born Russell released his first solo single I Want to Be Like Marlon Brando in the 1980s, before launching his first band Roman Anti with a childhood friend. Dean Cochran.

“When I got hot and famous for acting, the critics were like ‘stay in your lane’ and all that, but what’s your lane?” said the Gladiator star. Russell appears in Gladiator

While the band has since evolved and changed names several times, Russell says he has always been the main creative force behind their music.

“The songs are influenced by my life experiences, which can sometimes include playing a particular role, but most of the time it’s just things I’m processing. Life, love, a book I’ve read,” explained the Cinderella Man actor.

In 1992 the band was renamed 30 Odd Foot of Grunt and welcomed the bassist. Garth Adam, drummer Dave Kelly, guitarist Dave Wilkins and trumpeter Stewart Kirwan.

“The reality is that music has always been very important to me, and while I don’t talk about it all the time, it’s simultaneous with everything I do creatively,” he said.

Russell performed lead vocals while Dean played guitar.

The band would later evolve thanks to the incorporation of Canadian musician Alan Doyle, and in 2009 it was renamed The Ordinary Fear of God.

Since then, a variety of musicians would rotate through the band, including Russell’s ex-wife Danielle Spencer, who provided vocals for his 2011 album The Crowe/Doyle Songbook Vol III.

The latest iteration of his band emerged in 2017 when Russell and Doyle created a new act called Indoor Garden Party.

The latest iteration of his band emerged in 2017 when Russell and Doyle created a new act called Indoor Garden Party. Russell Crowe pictured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2015