Told he was being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame during the October 28 ARIA awards, he groaned and said he was “dreading the experience.”

He said he would not be joining the other celebs on the red carpet and that he would “slip out for a kebab” immediately after.

During the telecast ceremonies at Acer Arena in Sydney, Cave walked on to the podium and growled, “I cannot really accept this until we get a few things straight. What I can’t figure out is why I am up here and [his longtime backing band] The Bad Seeds aren’t?

“I would like to, by the power vested in me, induct these people also into the ARIA Hall of Fame.”

For good measure, he also inducted two members of his 1980s gothic band The Birthday Party, guitarist Roland S. Howard and the late Tracey Pew.

The awards belonged to Silverchair, who took home five. These included best group, where they beat Wolfmother, their recent touring partners Powderfinger, Eskimo Joe and dance trio Sneaky Sound System.

Another star of the night was Keith Urban, who last year canceled his appearance at the awards to check himself into rehab.

This year the Queensland-born singer got a hero’s welcome. His Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing got the best country release category, which he dedicated to his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, who attended the event. “You inspired this record,” he told her.