With a new single and a new bunch of dates the girls NSW/QLD tour is well under way and the latest news is they have just made the top 5 of the AMRAP Regional Charts coming in at number 4 ….
It has already been a big year of touring for the band so
the girls took advantage of their road-tested tightness and went into the studio directly after their Bluesfest shows. Rhythm section, Tracy Stephens and Rohan Hems are a well-oiled machine of groove in the track that was recorded completely live on the floor of the newly refurbished 301 studios in Byron.
Well completely live with the exception of the awe
–inspiring backing vocals from Alabama’s Kristy Lee and ‘Williette’ Donna Hall from the legendary 70’s Southern Rock Group ‘Wet Willy’. Donna first jumped up with the Hussies and sang the song with the girls in a small bar in Mobile, Alabama and from the second she joined in the song took on a whole new dimension. Add the phenomenal voice of Kristy Lee (who toured Australia last year
for Bluesfest and Beth Hart/G – Love Supports) to the mix an d you got a bonafide vocal Dream Team. It’s a simple song but it’s got a Whole Lotta vibe and lovers of the Blues Roots and
Jam Band genres can file it in a category somewhere between Tedechi Trucks Band and Led Zeppelin.
Tour Dates
1/09/16 19:00 – Brass Monkey – Cronulla, NSW
2/09/16 20:00 – Old Manly Boatshed – Manly, NSW
3/09/16 20:00 – Lazybones Lounge – Marrickville, NSW
4/09/16 20:00 – Lazybones Lounge – Marrickville, NSW 5/09/16 20:00 – Jindabyne Bowling and Sports Club – Jindabyne, 6/09/16 16:00 – The Smiggins Hotel – Perisher Valley, NSW 7/09/16 20:30 – The Smiggins Hotel – Perisher Valley, NSW 9/09/16 19:00 – The Acoustic Picnic @ The Music Lounge – Brookvale, NSW
11/09/16 16:00 – Hoey Moey – Coffs Harbour, NSW 16/09/16 17:30 – Mitchell Creek Rock n Blues Festival – Kandanga Creek, QLD 18/09/16 17:45 – Swell Sounds – Currumbin, QLD
18/09/16 11:00 – Mitchell Creek Rock n Blues Festival – Kandanga Creek, QLD 22/10/16 20:00 – Nightquarter – Helensvale, QLD
Play the single
and checkout the New Remix by London Producer “Friend O’ Mine”
If you haven’t yet, read through a QnA with the boys to kick off their latest EP The Door –
Q & A with Jack and Curtis………
What inspired you to become a singer in a band?
Curtis
The meticulous strain of learning covers and not playing them perfect and or well. If it’s your own song you get to decide what’s perfect and what’s right. It’s a pretty good feeling playing your own music and seeing people in the crowd enjoying themselves as much as you do. Kinda if we get you off then we’ll get off kinda thing.
Jack
My old man played guitar when I was young and I always wanted to play. He got me a nylon string and off I went (he still has that guitar). Dad loved James Taylor, Paul Simon, Dylan, and all of those singer song writers, so I guess that is where it started. My teen years in the 90’s in the UK started the band/rock music for me. It was a great time to be around the music scene in England: Oasis, Blur, The Verve even The Spice Girls – ha ha.
Who are your early influences?
Curtis
As I came to the understanding that I wanted to be a musician I really liked musicians that were unique and matter what they were doing you kinda knew it was them. Early on I was influenced by a lot of bands. I try and steal something from everybody. I am a bit of a guitar pedal addict so if they are using some sort of effect they are an influence. It’s my way of hiding that I actually have no idea what I am doing.
Tell us a little about how you write, how do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?
Curtis
Usually Jack or someone would come in with an idea, then we try to flip it on its head and make it good, ha ha. No, we jam it out in the room with the boys try new and interesting ideas over the old ones. Really the songs only come together with us pushing each other to be different. I work really hard on them on my own, but no matter how hard you plan and think your idea is right everyone else’s is usually better. That’s the great thing about a band its amalgamation of lots of ideas.
What gets us going is being in that room together, when everything clicks and we all get a little smirk knowing this feels right; probably the beers as well.
Jack
Sometimes they just happen. The good ones just flow. It’s usually something I’m angry about. I get some chords going but the melody and lyric is what I find most important. Someone once told me to write what I know and feel don t try to fake it. Which is so true and the best tip I ever heard.
After that I take it to the band. Then they make some noises and change some parts and boom we have a new song. I would say one in every three we write makes it to the live set. One in four get recorded.
Your bio mentions “newsworthy angle/funny story or event’ tell us what went on there.
Jack
The Gibson Guitar endorsement was amazing. We had finished pre-production on our album ‘Burning In The Sun’ and we are hanging out in the studio. Marshall, our Publisher & Label) and all round Legend said ‘You guys need anything else for recording?’ Yeah some good guitars, we said and laughed it off. Next day phone rings, it’s Marshall – ‘Go down to the pro shop, they’ve got some GIBOs for you to use’. I jump in the car, the exhaust pipe falls off on the way over, get to the shop meet the Rep, top bloke, we walk out with a Thunderbird Bass, Nikki Sixx Signiture (took it out of the display case for us) an SG and a Vintage Les Paul.
Put about 15 grands worth of guitars in the back of my 1000 dollar car next to the broken exhaust I recovered from the road. A few months after that I was added to the Gibson Artists list. Now I put my fancy guitar into the back of my 1000 dollar car next to the broken exhaust.
What is the first record you bought and why?
Curtis
It was a Wiggles tape, I was 7.
Jack
The one and only, Chesney Hawks, went halves with my brother it was a vinyl single, I have no idea why.
What current OZ acts inspire you? Ditto for international acts?
Jack
I am inspired by a lot of bands and artist we play with. The hard work they put in and the amazing talent that goes mostly unnoticed. Australia has a massive music community waiting to be heard. Tune into some community radio is my advice. International acts – at the moment I can’t stop listening to Jason Isbell’s last two albums.
Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show?
Curtis
I like to think or music is always evolving, I’m pretty sure we don’t play anything the same twice, we kinda feel each other out and hope that us having a good time shines through. We can get pretty loud but we love it that’s why we do it.
Jack
We really enjoy the live shows and I hope people see that when we play. As for the crowd we will take anyone who shows up, ha ha
Favourite artists of all time?
Curtis
For me, it’s Radiohead , NIN, Queens of The Stone Age, Tool and the two Jimmys’ (Page and Hendrix) with a notable mention to Dave Gilmore. It’s hard though, I’ve been influenced by a heap of bands that I still listen to today. I could be hear all day naming people. Once you find an artist you go and find out who influenced them, it’ a never ending cycle.
Jack
Van Gogh. Can’t pick just one for music
You are backstage with ‘insert artist you adore or hate’, what do you say?
Jack
Kanye West can you please shut the fuck up
Where do you see Aussie music heading?
Curtis
I’m really not sure, I’m hoping away from the computer. Hopefully, more performers and lesson button pushers. Don’t get me wrong there is a lot of talent in some of them and I enjoy it, wish more of them would use it as an instrument and less of a cheat.
Jack
I think we might be on the bottom of a cycle. The music industry is playing catch up with the internet and more home production and electronic music is flying around. We also have the reality music TV shows that are finally loosing their appeal. I believe that one band will come along and start up a big music movement again like Oasis did for the UK in the 90 s. Maybe it’s time for the smaller independent labels to rise as the big ones struggle. It’s music so you just have to wait and let it do its thing.
What are your future plans for 2016/2017
Curtis
We are looking at playing as many shows as possible, doing what we love. Work on new material continue to work on us as band and just do what we do.
Jack
Tour Drink Sleep Repeat. Play shows keep writing and most importantly, enjoy it.
New self-titled EP from The Mezcaltones available May 20th
Sydney is a long way south of Mexico but The Mezcaltones still know a thing or two about sultry nights and dangerous days – not to mention sultry men and dangerous women. Blend Tarantino vibes with a mix of sizzling Mexican nights, add some Mezcal tequila (the spirit of Mexico) and you have THE MEZCALTONES.
The Mezcaltones embody the style and attitude of those famous Tarantino flicks, with a little Robert Rodrigues Tex Mex, the 60’s surf rock guitar sounds of Dick Dale and Link Ray, the lavishness of Mexican dance, the sexiness of Salma Hayek From ‘Dusk Till Dawn’, and… you get the vibe.
Comprised of six experienced musicians who came together through their love of cool tones, The Mezcaltones create down and dirty Tex Mex sounds. Their unique style transports you on a journey of intoxicating nights.
Based in Sydney, Halfwait is a three piece post grunge band composed of Jon Barca, Chris Tallon, and Nathan Stalenberg. ‘Fly Away’ is the first single off their forthcoming EP, which they are in the process of recording. The EP will showcase a new dynamic sound from the band, showing their growth from when they started in 2012.
Based in Sydney, Lily Duval has been performing in blues and folk clubs for many years and has now stepped out of the studio with two new original tunes. Taking her stage name from her Grandmother who was also a performer Lilly has developed a distinctive voice and style which has struck a chord with local community radio Blues Programs. Her writing comes from her own experiences and also long time influences such as Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin.
Her latest release, ‘Weatherman’ was recorded at Damien Gerard Studios with the talented Scott Bird playing electric and acoustic guitar and with Andrew Beck on Bass. The addition of an Indian drum gives the track a fuller earthier sound.
The song was written to express Lily’s concern for people who are homeless. The lyrics came from a conversation with a young homeless man who spoke of his disappointment and resignation with life and why he felt for him life was easier on the streets, provided the weather was good.
March 24, Thursday — The Sands Hotel — Narrabeen, NSW
April 8, Friday — The Record Crate — Glebe, NSW
April 16, Saturday — Housefox Fest — Narrabeen, NSW
July 10, Sunday — Avalon Bowling Club — Avalon, NSW
August 27, Saturday — Nomad Brewery — Brookvale, NSW
Check out our Q&A with the band below!
Foghorn Media: What inspired you to become a singer/writer and form a band?
Hollerin’ Sluggers: Love of music. The need to entertain and make people feel good for a few hours.
FM: Who are your early influences?
HS: Artists that improvise and explore different realms of rootsy music, like Hendrix, Zeppelin, Cream, The Doors, Aussie rock from early 70s onwards.
FM: Tell us a little about how you write, how do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?
HS: We come up with a riff or a groove and jam it out first up, then we mould it into a song and whatever it needs to make it work. We enjoy exploring different structures. The band has evolved from the first album, our new material explores new realms.
FM: What is the first record you bought and why?
HS: AC/DC – like most people did in the day, they brought gritty powerhouse blues/rock to Australia.
FM: What current OZ acts inspire you?
HS: Anyone playing hard and touring their butts off on their own back and living the dream. Playing from the heart and not conforming to formulas.
FM: What about international bands?
HS: Joe Bonamassa and Gary Clark Jr, Clutch, Sea Sick Steve, Jack White
FM: Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show.
HS: We aim to get everyone up and dancing and going crazy by the end of the show. If there is a rafter to hang off or a speaker to jump off, Owen will find it. If you come to our gig and your feet don’t start moving and your hips don’t start swaying you’re probably dead.
FM: Favorites: film, book, place, pet? Story?
HS: Favorite film – ‘Song Remains The Same,’ Favorite book – ‘Sex, Thugs, and Rock n Roll’ by Billy Thorpe. Favorite place – Narrabeen. Favorite pet – dog/galah/fish. Favorite story – Andy used to judge and breed German Shepherds and left it behind when the Sluggers was formed to pursue his musical dream of one day playing in a packed stadium.
FM: Favorite food or drink?
HS: Nomad Beer – they gave us some kegs, a shirt, and a hat. We’re easily pleased.
FM: You’re backstage with one of your influences mentioned earlier, what do you say?
HS: Can we jam with you guys?
FM: Where do you see Aussie music heading?
HS: There has always been pop music for the commercial market and cover bands in the pubs/clubs and will continue to be so. However, there is a real swing back to original bands playing modern venues not considered the traditional music houses, such as pizza/wine bars and retro records bars.
FM: What are your future plans for 2016/2017?
HS: Touring with some great artists and playing some kickass gigs, recording second album, and getting some national and international airplay would be nice.
