It seems to be becoming an annual event, but The Detonators are gracing Sleepy Hollow with their presence this September.
The Detonators were formed way back in August 1997. Always based in Melbourne, this popular hard-working quartet have never been afraid to hit the road, haul some kilometres and rack up a heap of gigs. They believe they have easily done more than 3000 gigs since they first formed.
It’s not many of our local blues bands (or any bands, come to it!) that can boast their music being used in two TV shows (Underbelly and De Grassi High), one film (Charlie and Boots), are on rotation on a number of radio stations and Spotify, have tracks used in advertising and have six CDs out currently.
The Dets have done it!
Interestingly, they also have a book on their activities in the pipeline. It could be interesting.
The Detonators have well-developed sets of original songs tied in with a stage show that only comes from years of relentless gigging pubs, clubs and festivals both in Australia and overseas.
Their reception at these events has seen them become crowned kings of Australian roots rock n roll.
All members contribute to writing their music – a lethal combination of early blues with a sprinkling of rockabilly and early rock n roll thrown in.
The band features bespectacled Rockbottom James on vocals and electric harmonica, Paulie Bignell on hollow body guitar, Doghouse Dave on slapping double bass with Eddie Fury on sticks and skins duty.
Dancing shoes, listening ears, and drinking arms are compulsory for any good time Detonators show!
A major presence in our region is Sarah Carroll, our own “Ukulele Queen of the Bellarine.”
During September Sarah will be holding down a residency on Tuesday nights at Pistol Pete’s, performing along with Shannon Bourne.
Sarah Carroll has performed at many of Australia’s high-profile festivals and a good many of its pubs over a 30-year career, and is noted for her work with GIT, The Junes, and The Cartridge Family. Her songs chime with sincerity and come straight from her big, brave heart.
I love her lyrical ballads, and how some of them sound so familiar and strike a chord with the memories I have. One of these is “Heaven is my Holden with the Windows Down.” Memories of cruising in my EJ with the only form of air-conditioning we had back then.
Shannon is known as a free-thinking guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer, session musician, tutor and mentor.
His second album “Dark Things” brought him to wider attention. For a time, he was a personal guitarist to Chris Wilson and shared playing with Richard Thompson.
It should be a good night.
Go to one of Sarah’s gigs, but don’t make her play “Small Courtesy!”
I’ve had a brief chat with Ethan Farmer since his return from the Berklee School of Music in Boston. It sounds like he had quite a time and got a lot from it. More on that later…
Calendar entries this fortnight: The Detonators at Sleepy Hollow on the 22nd, and Sarah Carroll and Shannon Bourne Tuesdays at Pistol Pete’s.
Written by John Lamp
