On the eve of Jebediah's third stint on the Big Day Out circus, Ozmusic Central was privy to some wry jokes and irony, courtesy of lead singer Kevin Mitchell.

"The industry's fucked, but most industries are fucked," notes Kevin Mitchell, lead singer for Jebediah. "I still wouldn't rather be doing anything else." He chuckles.

This combination of weariness and ironic optimism characterises my conversation with Mitchell, who is on the phone from his Perth home. Since forming in 1994, Jebediah have plied their infectious guitar-pop through their enormously successful debut Slightly Odway to their more sombre Of Someday Shambles through to their self-titled album. Currently in a period of downtime, Jebediah are about to launch into another round of Big Day Out shows.

"This'll be our third time. We're doing a side stage," says Mitchell. "I reckon that's where you've got a bit more freedom to not play so much of a crowd-pleasing set because we'd be playing more to our own audience." Despite the improvement evident with each album, Jebediah's most popular and recognisable tunes remain "Leaving Home" and "Harpoon" - Triple J favourites found on Slightly Odway. However, Mitchell does not wish to dwell on such notions.

He also dismisses deep analysis of his own songs (many of which probably don't stand up to that anyway), asserting unequivocally that "it doesn't really matter what meanings that I give [it] when I write… it's what meanings other people get out of our songs - it's absolutely just as relevant".

He seems more inclined to talk about other music; the conversation ignites as he becomes the wide-eyed music fan. What to make of the wave of 'new rock'?

"A lot of those bands, certainly like The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Hives, The Vines, I really dig all those bands.

"At the moment the whole thing is held up by media hype and I think once that dies off and the media goes on to something else, I don't know if those bands have sold enough records, the live thing," muses Mitchell in a genuinely concerned tone. "I've got a feeling when all that media hype goes away the foundation's just gone and the whole thing might all fall in a heap."

His energy extends to his discussion of the Big Day Out. With this being Jebediah's third outing, what do they expect?

"Certainly the line up this year is definitely the best. I think I'm definitely primed to really take it in this year and really enjoy it - watch bands, walk around out the front, just really take in the experience.

"The first time we did it I can't even remember it. It was more just exciting - it was probably our first glimpse of the rock 'n' roll high life."

There is an ironic tone in that last comment, bringing back the ugly issue of the industry. Not for the first time does Mitchell's sense of humour emerge. It is at first surprising - Jebediah are not Custard - but engaging, such as in his knowing take on his surreal lifestyle.

"I'd hate to sound like somebody who's had their job was to get drunk, party, write songs, go on tour and then be complaining about it.

"I think what keeps me going - and I think I speak for all of us - is playing shows. We started the band so that we could play shows," says Mitchell. "It was the reason behind us starting a band. I think if you ask any band what keeps them going, they go back to that original inspiration that started calling in the first place and that was, for us, it was to play shows. It was a completely unadulterated vision that didn't take into account touring or the industry - we didn't have to think about that sort of stuff…"

Despite his disenchanted tone, Jebediah have survived such industry shenanigans. They have, after all, released three albums with the same line-up.

"It seems easy up till now. I don't know - this is the only band that we've really ever been in. We've just kind of ridden a wave that's taken us far." Mitchell pauses, "It's been easy - nobody's lost their shit. I think we're all fairly normal people with a healthy sense of humour and I think if you've got those ingredients then you get through all the bullshit involved.

"A lot of people lose their shit. The entertainment industry obviously fucks a lot of people up. If you're a little bit normal, have a sense of humour, you'll be fine."

This sense of buoyancy informs Jebediah, producing such incongruous beacons of optimism as "October" and "Country Holiday Song". The songs are memorable as much for their novel sentiment as for their musical qualities. Mitchell disagrees.

"I don't think anything we did on the third record was a great departure from what we'd done previously. With "Country Holiday Song", I guess we haven't really done anything too much like that before, but we used a bit of pedal steel on the second record.

"Everything about the last record [Jebediah] was a lot more relaxed and easy than the second one." Mitchell then pre-empts my next thought, "But that doesn't necessarily make one better than the other.

"There's [nothing] wrong necessarily with going through a bit of pain and blood and sweat to make a record."

It is easy to picture a wry smile on his face as he makes this last comment. Mitchell understands the contrivance of rock 'n' roll, but will staunchly pursue this path. He seems jaded by the experience, but also invigorated (he notes that "There's gonna be a few things happening next year. We're pretty hopeful to put out a couple of releases"). These apparent contradictions are not unique. Many have lamented the obstacles placed before their art. However, talking with Mitchell gives a sense that belligerence, mixed with humour, will remain a part of Jebediah. Even as the industry wears him down and the nasal sound of his singing fades - no longer the brattish singer evident on Slightly Odway - Mitchell will overcome, with a smile.

"I bought that Nirvana greatest hits record and I've been listening to that a lot and reliving the Nirvana years." Mitchell laughs, "I think all of us have a little bit of that 'fuck shit up' attitude where we 'fuck shit up' and I dare say that at the Big Day Out there'll be a bit of 'fucking shit up'."