The former Powderfinger bassist is the brains behind The Triffid, the revamped World War 2 hangar at Newstead which is creating a buzz before it even opens next month.

"It's all brand new to me – I've got a lot of help, a lot of people I trust around me who know better than I do," the 44-year-old said.

"I think that's a good part of management, isn't it?"

The quietly-spoken but affable musician was on Christmas holidays in 2012 when the idea of an 800-capacity venue started gnawing at him.

"Travelling overseas, I remember being in America and playing a lot of venues around that capacity... they're a good-sized venue with good production, and not too big to lose touch with your audience," he said.

"I thought, well, it's not going to happen unless I start it."

Driving around his preferred location of Newstead, where residential towers were still some distance from its light industrial businesses, Collins found one of the supply hangars used by US forces fighting in the Pacific.

In the curved-roof hangar and adjacent carpark, Collins saw the potential for a live music haven complete with outdoor beer garden, and approached Scott Hutchinson from building owner Hutchinson's.

"Music is his passion, that's what he wants to do on weekends," he said.

"It's good to have a landlord like that, who shares the same dreams, passions and vibe."

Brisbane hospitality identity Brett McCall jumped onboard, followed by Splendour in the Grass owners Paul Piticco and Jessica Ducrou.

"Paul was our manager and Jess was our agent for 20 years so I know them very well," Collins said.

"I just wanted to strengthen the team up and they know the music industry better than I do...it gives it a lot of credibility."

Renovations had to retain the ribbed, curved interior roof of the heritage-listed hangar, remove distortion and add soundproofing.

"There are two sheets of ply, a sheet of acoustic treatment, then two sheets of fire check, then another sheet of acoustic treatment, then the roof," he said.

"We've basically put a whole new roof over the one we had to make that happen...it can look great, but it's got to sound great."

As many recycled or repurposed objects as possible have been used in the revamp, including brick pavers for the spacious beer garden and cleverly placed shipping containers to house facilities like bars and toilets, as well as a green room and storage area for bands.

"We just want to have a place where 800 people can come and see a band, have a great night, get something to eat, have a quick drink and have a backyard for the locals," he said.

"Hopefully we can make a space where bands love playing and where people love going to see bands."

Much of the space has been painted green to match the venue's name, which Collins said wasn't inspired by the band, but actually named after the John Wyndham novel The Day of the Triffids.

"The Triffid green, we call it," he said.

Three free concerts under the banner Triffid Seeds will perform this Thursday to Saturday, as well as Friday November 7.

The official opening on Saturday November 8 features Saskwatch, The Creases and MT Warning, with upcoming gigs by Ed Kuepper and Paul Dempsey already selling fast.

Collins said Brisbane artists would be a cornerstone of The Triffid's offerings.

"Violent Soho, Kingswood and Ball Park Music – you go to festivals and they're killing it, and they're from Brisbane," he said.

"I think Brisbane's always had a really good rock 'n' roll culture...I think we're in for a good future."