Winter is definitely setting in – even the buskers have muffled bodies as well as muffled sounds. Actually, have you noticed the gear buskers are now using? Large DC powered amps, requiring huge car batteries to run. We will soon see a generation of buskers with great sound and tight physique – a new Olympic sport: carry your entire music kit in one lift!
Ok, back to business, The Detonators are coming to town. You should have some idea of just who they are as this is not their first visit by a long shot. The Detonators formed in August 1997 and are based in Melbourne.
Rockbottom James is a harp legend, hearing Canned Heat’s “On The Road Again” and the Doors “Roadhouse Blues” is what got him started, and he’s been writing material for The Detonators for quite a while.
Paulie Bignell took up guitar in primary school (I really have wasted my life!) and you’ll have to seek his website for a list of influences – there’s no way I’d even fit that in my 500 words! He also writes for the band, usually starting with lyrics (he had a book of them that he hasn’t used yet) or with a riff that gets stuck in his mind and has to be let out.
The band’s live performance reputation is backed by aggressive touring locally and abroad.
The hard working quartet have become Australia’s kings of roots rock ‘n’ roll. Their original music, to which all members contribute, is best described as a lethal combination of rockabilly, blues and early rock ‘n’ roll.
The Detonators have toured to all corners of Australia, done all major blues and roots festivals more than once and have ventured into Europe with their high powered original show. The band is constantly gigging and has a huge local and interstate following.
They have five CDs in their arsenal and have recently had their music on the film “Charlie and Boots” as well as the Australian TV series Underbelly.
Cold Chisel labelled The Detonators as their favourite band and have used The Detonators as support at their sold out Rod Laver arena gigs.
Dancing shoes and drinking arms are compulsory for any good time Detonators show.
They will be at the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club on the 26th , jam at 3pm, headline from 5.30pm, just Google it.
The other standout in the coming fortnight is Lloyd Spiegel down at the Piping Hot Chicken and Burger Grill, or as we like to say the Chook Shop. I know I don’t have to do too much to introduce Lloyd either.
The names people have called him over the years “guitarist without peer,” “one of Australia’s best songwriters” – I think you get the idea.
While you’re there, don’t miss on getting a copy of his double live CD, seriously good and should be in any collection. Double Live Set, is a live anthology recorded over two sell out concerts at the world famous Spiegeltent that acts as a celebration of a ¼ of a century on stage.
So don’t muck about, call the Chook Shop, tickets for Lloyd will go like hotcakes. That’s two you mustn’t miss.
Written by John (Dr John) Lamp
Proudly presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club
