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John Butler Trio Reissues Landmark Three with Remastered Audio and Three Bonus Tracks for 25th-Anniversary
On 11 September 2026 the John Butler Trio unveiled a digitally remastered edition of its 2001 studio album Three, adding three tracks from the 2000 JBT EP. The expanded release—available through the trio’s own label, Jarrah Records—features the songs “Pickapart,” “Earthbound Child” and “Don’t Understand.”
Three first appeared in April 2001 and marked the group’s transition from a Western Australian roots‑rock outfit to a nationally recognised touring act. The album peaked at No. 24 on the Australian album chart, spent nine months on the alternative chart, and reached No. 3 there. It also earned the trio the 2001 ARIA Award for Best Independent Release.
For guitarist and producer John Butler, the anniversary is personally significant. In a statement released with the reissue, Butler said, “It’s been 25 years since I released Three! This was the first album where I felt my guitar playing started finding its true voice and tone. The closest I had gotten to capturing my band’s sound and started flexing more of my production skills.” He also reflected on the album’s enduring single, “Betterman,” noting that the track placed No. 5 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2001 and remains a defining recording of the era.
The original sessions were recorded, engineered and mixed by Shaun O’Callaghan at Studio Couch in North Fremantle. Butler and O’Callaghan produced the album, while mastering was handled by Robin Mai, Nicky Bomba and Joe Camilleri at Woodstock Studios. Guest musicians on the record include Paul Boon on didgeridoo, George Rrurrambu on introductory vocals for “Money,” and backing vocalists Rosie Johnstone, David Broadfoot and Brenda Fost.
The inclusion of the three bonus tracks ties the anniversary edition back to the period immediately preceding Three. All three were recorded for the JBT EP released in Australia in 2000; “Pickapart” received high rotation on Triple J and helped expand the trio’s audience before the album’s release.
The success of Three set the stage for the trio’s expanded touring schedule. In 2001 and 2002 the group performed at the Big Day Out festival, and the album’s U.S. release on ATO Records opened doors to tours with John Mayer and Dave Matthews Band. The trio also appeared at Bonnaroo and South by Southwest, establishing a touring model that would become central to their career.
Following Three, the trio released the live album Living 2001‑2002 in 2003, which reached the Australian top 10 and achieved platinum status. Subsequent studio albums—Sunrise Over Sea (2004), Grand National (2007) and April Uprising (2010)—each debuted at No. 1 on the Australian charts and also reached platinum sales. Their final studio album, Home, was issued in 2018.
Jarrah Records, co‑owned by Butler, the Waifs and manager Philip Stevens, has released all of the trio’s material since 2002. The label’s independent status and focus on Australian roots music have been cited as key factors in the trio’s sustained success.
The anniversary edition arrives at a time when the John Butler Trio is resuming live performances after the COVID‑19 hiatus. Butler, drummer Jackie Barnes and bassist‑keyboardist Ian Peres recently played two surprise shows at BigSound in Brisbane, their first concerts as a trio since before the pandemic. Butler will also continue his solo work, performing with Jack Johnson and Ben Harper in Australia in November.
The trio is scheduled to play the Tamworth Country Music Festival on 14 January 2027 and the Port Fairy Folk Festival in March, with additional dates to be announced.
The 25th‑anniversary edition of Three offers fans a refreshed listening experience and a deeper look at the trio’s formative years. By combining the original album’s landmark tracks with three early EP songs, the release underscores the album’s lasting influence on Australian roots and jam‑rock music.
Three first appeared in April 2001 and marked the group’s transition from a Western Australian roots‑rock outfit to a nationally recognised touring act. The album peaked at No. 24 on the Australian album chart, spent nine months on the alternative chart, and reached No. 3 there. It also earned the trio the 2001 ARIA Award for Best Independent Release.
For guitarist and producer John Butler, the anniversary is personally significant. In a statement released with the reissue, Butler said, “It’s been 25 years since I released Three! This was the first album where I felt my guitar playing started finding its true voice and tone. The closest I had gotten to capturing my band’s sound and started flexing more of my production skills.” He also reflected on the album’s enduring single, “Betterman,” noting that the track placed No. 5 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2001 and remains a defining recording of the era.
The original sessions were recorded, engineered and mixed by Shaun O’Callaghan at Studio Couch in North Fremantle. Butler and O’Callaghan produced the album, while mastering was handled by Robin Mai, Nicky Bomba and Joe Camilleri at Woodstock Studios. Guest musicians on the record include Paul Boon on didgeridoo, George Rrurrambu on introductory vocals for “Money,” and backing vocalists Rosie Johnstone, David Broadfoot and Brenda Fost.
The inclusion of the three bonus tracks ties the anniversary edition back to the period immediately preceding Three. All three were recorded for the JBT EP released in Australia in 2000; “Pickapart” received high rotation on Triple J and helped expand the trio’s audience before the album’s release.
The success of Three set the stage for the trio’s expanded touring schedule. In 2001 and 2002 the group performed at the Big Day Out festival, and the album’s U.S. release on ATO Records opened doors to tours with John Mayer and Dave Matthews Band. The trio also appeared at Bonnaroo and South by Southwest, establishing a touring model that would become central to their career.
Following Three, the trio released the live album Living 2001‑2002 in 2003, which reached the Australian top 10 and achieved platinum status. Subsequent studio albums—Sunrise Over Sea (2004), Grand National (2007) and April Uprising (2010)—each debuted at No. 1 on the Australian charts and also reached platinum sales. Their final studio album, Home, was issued in 2018.
Jarrah Records, co‑owned by Butler, the Waifs and manager Philip Stevens, has released all of the trio’s material since 2002. The label’s independent status and focus on Australian roots music have been cited as key factors in the trio’s sustained success.
The anniversary edition arrives at a time when the John Butler Trio is resuming live performances after the COVID‑19 hiatus. Butler, drummer Jackie Barnes and bassist‑keyboardist Ian Peres recently played two surprise shows at BigSound in Brisbane, their first concerts as a trio since before the pandemic. Butler will also continue his solo work, performing with Jack Johnson and Ben Harper in Australia in November.
The trio is scheduled to play the Tamworth Country Music Festival on 14 January 2027 and the Port Fairy Folk Festival in March, with additional dates to be announced.
The 25th‑anniversary edition of Three offers fans a refreshed listening experience and a deeper look at the trio’s formative years. By combining the original album’s landmark tracks with three early EP songs, the release underscores the album’s lasting influence on Australian roots and jam‑rock music.