tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74935157716071124852012-02-17T07:21:21.892+11:00Roots Music BlogH. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-20915263470391319612010-07-27T20:26:00.009+10:002010-07-27T23:17:31.574+10:00

This will be the final post for Melbourne Roots. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to and encouraged the blog through reading, putting up with my generally random interview style, and lending magazines, photos, ears, voices or otherwise! It's been a real pleasure getting to know and record some of the wonderful, little known, music that goes on in Melbourne. The blog and its contents will

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-47036090643230054762010-07-21T15:12:00.009+10:002010-07-22T21:47:02.687+10:00

On Saturday July 10th, Jess, Iona and I got down to the second set of the Le Blanc Brothers Cajun Band, hosted by the Melbourne Folk Club at West Brunswick's Grandview Hotel. It was great to step in from the chill luminous air of a Melbourne winter sunset to the belly-fire of the traditional Cajun music. I never imagined I'd hear a triangle played to such incredible effect; the music jaunty

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-73144560293825307602010-07-13T00:03:00.009+10:002010-07-13T00:48:37.188+10:00

Warren Rough (pictured on far left) is the guitar player for old-timey/country-blues duo Woodward and Rough with Craig Woodward (The Flying Engine String Band). He has been playing guitar for over thirty years in various line-ups including: the Autodrifters, the Crakajacks, Paramount trio, Everlovin' O'Sheas, among others. On Saturday, July 3rd 2010, I met up with Warren before the old-timey

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-28316931929195436042010-07-05T21:30:00.031+10:002010-07-06T12:37:40.924+10:00

A special thanks to Bill Martin (former editor and writer for Big Beat of the 50s) for the loan of his incredible array of old Big Beat magazines. Thanks also to the current editor, Peter Scanlon, for granting permission to reproduce images from earlier editions on this blog. It's been wonderful reading through the interviews, articles, columns and reviews from Melbourne's music scene in the

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-88039223606559512932010-06-29T15:00:00.007+10:002011-02-08T22:50:30.089+11:00

The days and nights in Melbourne are icy cold, the wind like a slap to the cheek. What better excuse does one need to wrap up in a big old jacket and cosy on down to your local pub for some tunes and a glass of red. This Sunday I caught Woodward and Rough at The Lomond Hotel, performing to a small but grateful audience in their weekly 10pm time-slot. The beautiful lament of Coalmine Blues, the

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-5479727413152578002010-06-26T22:18:00.006+10:002010-06-27T00:53:09.427+10:00

The June edition of Big Beat (official magazine of the Australian Rock 'n' Roll Appreciation Society) is now in print. Now up to it's 117th edition -- published quarterly -- the popular mag covers 50s rock 'n' roll news from around Australia including reviews, interviews, festival news, columns, feature articles and more. June's edition has an interesting article on music author and radio

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-2753375613023343192010-06-22T11:30:00.008+10:002010-07-06T12:45:38.822+10:00

Below is a brilliant youtube clip of early 80s rockabilly band 'The Crackajacks' who had a cult-following with their song 'Long Blond Hair'. (See earlier post, under Crackajacks in the sidebar for more information on the band.)

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-68515737851938429522010-06-16T20:39:00.022+10:002010-06-17T21:00:49.110+10:00

Gleny Rae -- what a singer! Ramblin' Girl (video above) takes my breath away. Last Saturday (June 12th) I went with friends to glam/country band The Junes CD launch at Bella Union Bar (Trades Hall, Carlton) Great venue -- towering columns, sandpapered walls, grand ceilings, cold, wide staircases. It seemed to suit the winter mood. I wore a heavy, black woolen jacket and still stood shivering

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-72116424556109452692010-06-14T21:12:00.006+10:002010-06-14T22:09:44.017+10:00

This is the third and final instalment of a three part interview with Craig Woodward. Please see earlier posts (filed under Craig Woodward/Interviews) for earlier instalments. Craig plays every Sunday from 10pm at the Lomond Hotel in Brunswick East as part of Woodward and Rough and also the first Friday of every month at Coburg's Post Office Hotel in the Flying Engine String Band. Go and see them

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-87568777880570361612010-06-10T14:45:00.010+10:002010-06-10T19:04:32.715+10:00

When I was in my late teens, back in the 1990s, my mother introduced me to the thriving roots-music community centered, in part, around North Fitzroy’s Railway Hotel. Headbelly Buzzard were just beginning their fourteen year Friday-night residency and were quickly establishing themselves as Melbourne’s most dynamic old-time string band. I remember seeing them there: Craig in his denim overalls

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-4125340720264993262010-06-04T17:40:00.010+10:002010-06-06T10:19:54.456+10:00

This is part two of a three part interview from Sat 15th May, 2010. For the complete introduction and first instalment please view the earlier post: Interview with Craig Woodward (Part One of a three part series)HT: Your former band, Headbelly Buzzard (pictured), have long been referred to as a ‘Melbourne Institution’. What was it about Headbelly, do you think, that generated such strong interest

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-30160647030467406702010-05-29T14:54:00.012+10:002010-05-29T19:14:28.677+10:00

Craig Woodward is one of Melbourne’s premier old-timey musicians. One of the founders of well-known string band Headbelly Buzzard, who held the famed Friday night residency at North Fitzroy’s The Railway Hotel for fourteen years, he has been playing fiddle, guitar, banjo and mandolin for over twenty years. His former bands include: The Cajun Aces, Sandilands, an original, roots based

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-34712372219056420792010-05-25T19:16:00.004+10:002010-05-25T19:29:21.267+10:00

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-22606901161367465272010-05-17T20:21:00.013+10:002010-05-20T20:18:25.866+10:00

Last Friday (14th May) Jess and I went to the recently refurbished Post Office Hotel to see Craig Woodward's Flying Engine String Band. (see post under Flying Engine on sidebar)Whilst drinking beer in the bustling courtyard out back, I got talking to Corinn Strating (on right) of Melbourne folk band The Beanies about a new Irish session in Brunswick, the folk music community, and her take on the

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-12209773198451349822010-05-15T23:04:00.006+10:002010-05-15T23:39:21.723+10:00

Craig Woodward's Flying Engine String Band is the latest incarnation of popular old-time string band Headbelly Buzzard who held the Friday night residency at the Railway Hotel for 14 years. Flying Engine comprises: Craig Woodward (banjo/fiddle), Brett Leppik (Banjo-mandolin), Jono Wilson (shoe-string guitar/ and shoes!), Liam Wratten (banjo), and Jeremy Hanley (double bass). The Post Office Hotel

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-66082007616192689412010-05-13T13:41:00.019+10:002010-07-06T12:47:11.476+10:00

Saturday night was 50s rockabilly night at Richmond venue The Central Club Hotel. Featuring Melbourne's longest running rockabilly band the Straight 8s, Newcastle's Pat Capocci, Ezra Lee, Danny & The Cosmic Tremors and Echuca's Scott Baker, the night was a rockin', swinging high energy power-house of great songs, booze and dancing. Opening set was Scott Baker, a talented song-writer and performer

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-3494137008987602802010-05-09T21:00:00.016+10:002010-07-06T12:49:03.857+10:00

Ezra Lee is Newcastle's young and hugely talented 'rock'n'roll piano man'. He plays early rock 'n' roll, R&B, country and blues. Ezra started his performance career as the piano man for legendary blues band 'Johnny Green's Blues Cowboys' where he built a name for himself as a rockin' piano player, playing festivals like the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival and Tamworth. He recorded his first

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-88051783468544908492010-05-07T12:25:00.004+10:002010-05-07T13:11:52.836+10:00

Hi all, please follow this link to view an interesting article in today's Age quoting both Victoria Police and Melbourne City councillors in support of the music industry's view that live music does not lead to violence. Great to see this in the media again -- certainly the issues have not gone away (in spite of the accord) and it's encouraging to see these opinions expressed and promoted by

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-9774170573242692332010-05-02T21:14:00.011+10:002010-05-05T00:52:00.384+10:00

Above is a great You Tube clip of The Mick Cameron Memorial String Band's 'Sail Away Lady' featuring members of Headbelly Buzzard including: Craig Woodward, Warren Rough, Nicola Hayes, Brett Leppik, Matt Ryan and Peter Holmes. I will be posting an interview with Craig in the coming weeks so stay tuned. In the meantime both Sandilands (Mick Cameron) and Headbelly Buzzard CDs are available from '

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-72414333765472909102010-05-02T00:32:00.009+10:002010-05-07T15:27:44.937+10:00

I managed to get down to The Lomond last Saturday (May 1st) for the second set of contemporary country band Aintree Sweet. Comprising: Elaine Smith, Ali Huish (formerly of Merri Creak), Peter Blackburn, Sue Broderick and Susan Steiner with Jen Anderson on fiddle, Aintree Sweet delivered a set of warm-as-toast pop/country songs with pleasant, four-piece harmonies and simple, but effective,

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-85427580070985663312010-04-26T14:34:00.009+10:002010-04-26T21:57:33.501+10:00

Rick Dempster is the steel-guitar and harp player for The Brunswick Blues Shooters. He regularly plays with the Baylor brothers and a host of other Melbourne bands. Melbourne Roots would like to thank Rick for his articulate and generous responses and for adding to the conversation around Melbourne's music history, its future, and the political and cultural challenges our musicians are faced with

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-70283597279252661862010-04-25T14:33:00.006+10:002010-04-25T15:12:03.608+10:00

Ian Edwards (former radio presenter at Plenty Valley FM) has kindly given me some great footage of February 23rds hugely successful SLAM Rally where more than 10,000 live music fans marched through the city to protest against changes to Victoria's liquor licensing laws. See video below. H

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-49196311871081380082010-04-18T13:41:00.014+10:002010-04-21T20:27:40.966+10:00

Last night, high-spirited country/glam/gospel band 'The Junes' played to a full house at The Lomond Hotel, East Brunswick. Suzannah Espie was composed and sultry in black lace, black neck-tie and cropped copper curls, her voice tonal & lilting under a steady gaze and dazzling smile; Gleny Rae Virus, a bright, fiery blond in red cowgirl boots and black tassels, stood centre stage whipping the

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-28491254165382491612010-04-16T23:25:00.010+10:002010-06-24T21:41:21.909+10:00

Formed early in 1979 The Crackajacks were a live-wire Melbourne rockabilly band with spunk featuring Warren Rough on lead guitar, Rick Newton (vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar), Peter Patter (double bass) and Mick Lyon on drums. Here's a couple of great photos of the band in their hey-day (courtesy of Billy Martin) with a link to an interesting article - and sample songs off their CD 'Rockabilly

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-80856373717707741272010-04-16T09:47:00.003+10:002010-04-16T10:05:11.500+10:00

The Lomond Hotel have finally had their rollback approved by the Department of Liquor Licensing Victoria. The Lomond applied for a review of their 'high-risk' security status after an accord was signed around the time of the huge SLAM rally in Febrauary. The new license comes with the condition that security is required after 12.30pm but this is of little consequence as Lomond gigs rarely run

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-9209340795930313182010-04-10T20:49:00.020+10:002010-05-15T23:29:11.980+10:00

Every Saturday from 5.30pm onward The Lomond Hotel hosts an old-timey session in the main bar. Led by renowned old-timey musicians Craig Woodward (Headbelly Buzzard, Sandilands, Woodward & Rough) and Warren Rough (Paramount Trio, Woodward & Rough) the session is a relaxed, family friendly, live jam for musicians and fans of old-time American mountain music. The gig is informal and open to both

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-45763303892172786492010-04-07T21:11:00.042+10:002010-05-15T23:26:27.107+10:00

Today (April 7th, 2010) nine well-known Victorian musicians presented a petition to State Government on the steps of Parliament calling on Government to remove the link between live music and 'high risk' conditions on liquor licenses for live music venues. The petitions were signed by an impressive 22,000 people. Gathered at the base of the steps in 'don't kill live music' t-shirts, sunglasses

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-79906423814449831682010-04-03T13:13:00.008+11:002010-05-15T23:26:56.899+10:00

Hi all, please note the following:--------------------------S.L.A.M / Fair Go 4 Live Music / Music VictoriaOver 20,000 Victorians demand that ‘high-risk’ conditions be de-linked from live music.PETITION DELIVER WEDNESDAY APRIL 7TH 201012.30pm Parliament House, MelbourneSince the closure of The Tote Hotel in mid-January, the Fair Go 4 Live Music petition has been collecting signatures from music

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-6352735753572519292010-03-29T14:12:00.024+11:002010-04-16T12:24:28.090+10:00

The Brunswick Blues Shooters are alive and kicking. This Saturday March 27th The Blues Shooters performed at a quiet Fitzroy pub in an afternoon of great songs, low-key dancing, beers and chat. There was an old man in a white vest doing the chicken shuffle, a long haired woman in a red maxi and librarians glasses doing the twist, her arms stuck out like a strutting bird; there were kids

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-44622634783994737962010-03-21T21:54:00.014+11:002010-03-29T22:07:26.896+11:00

On Thursday 18th of March Melbourne band 'The Peckin' Order' supported American duo 'Whitetop Mountaineers' as part of the 2010 Brunswick Muisc Festival. The gig was held at 'Penny Black' (formerly 'Don't Tell Tom') on Sydney Rd, Brunswick and was a sold-out event. 'The Peckin' Order' comprises Clint Dylan O'Gradey (Off the Wall), Cat Moser (Devilish Mary, The Beenies), Pete Holmes (

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-18249206638252062882010-03-17T15:57:00.007+11:002010-03-22T10:03:01.046+11:00

More bad news re. the future of live music in Melbourne. This is an urgent issue. Please follow the link (embedded in title of this post) to read the article on The Age Online.Please note: S.L.A.M. and Fair Go 4 Live Music are still campaigning for amendments to the liquor licensing laws and need your support. For more information or to sign the petition please visit http://www.slamrally.org/

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7493515771607112485.post-63999994327238870812010-03-15T13:27:00.015+11:002010-04-08T23:03:55.450+10:00

Sunday night was the much anticipated tribute gig for Melbourne songwriter & musician Mick Cameron who sadly and unexpectedly passed away in March of 2008. The event was a great success, one that brought Mick's famous songs out into the warm, social air of a Melbourne autumn evening and had us all beaming, emptying our glasses, tapping feet on worn carpet & singing along to the well-loved

H. Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637055870023926228noreply@blogger.com0