(click on the band's name for more info)
8 Ball Aitken
From the far north of Australia but with his musical roots embedded in the deep south of the USA, Sugarcane Collins is a one of a kind singer-songwriter-guitarist.
Black Cat Blues Band
Black Cat was formed by Terry Francis and Michael Glyde in 2002 with the idea of finding some like minded musicians to form a band to play some real good electric Boogie and Blues. Both Terry and Michael have had extensive careers in the business in Australia, after a few changes to the line up they found three seasoned Blues men in Saul, Paul and Leon and the band hit the road. Since then the band has become an extremely tight unit with a hot swingin’ boogie and blues sound, able to please their audiences at a lazy Sunday afternoon session or with a get down and boogie sound that fills the dance floor.
Blond On Blue
Blond On Blue uses a unique blend of Blues & Grooves from traditional to modern day classics to create their sound. It is hard to liken them to any one band, or sound, as they draw their influences from different artists so their music has a wider variety of rhythm and sound. They try not to stick with the traditional 12 bar and come “out of the box” to play different Grooves. The lead vocalist is female so mostly they draw their inspirations from female Blues vocalists including Debbie Davies, Shemekia Copeland, Susan Tedeschi and Janis Joplin. They also enjoy performing songs by Stevie ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williams and Eric Clapton.
Hat Fitz
Anyone who has seen Hat Fitz perform at one of his many festival appearances across Australia know how the big man can stir up an audience. With his wild frantic interpretations of early delta blues classics and self penned songs in tandem with drumming side kick Itchy he has built a repretation as a hard edged raw blues man. On stage Itchy and Fitzy have an amazing telepathic communication that keeps the music tight. Few performers world wide, have been able to match the wild man approach to the delicate art of finger picking perfected by Hat Fitz.
Jimi Beavis & the 385s
When it comes to performing, nothing beats the raw energy and passion of the blues. We try to do that with our songs, and we play almost entirely originals written by myself and arranged during jam sessions with the band. There are some Chicago blues rockers, some swinging songs for the cats, and a bit of funk and boogie as well. I hope we bring something interesting to the blues!
Headed by Mark "The Colonel" Doherty and including the very bluesy talents of Tom Matthews, Billy Bakos, and Mojo Webb, the band have established themselves as the host band of Blue Monday, an interactive concept which sees other musicians joining in with the host band throughout the evening. You can enjoy the Blue Monday shows at Satchmo's at West End. Mark D's Big 3 deliver a very broad command of the various flavours found in the Blues genre, guaranteed to entertain and inspire.
Mark Ziza
Mark is an independent soloist, guitarist, vocalist songwriter from Brisbane, Australia.Playing original music and covers with a style which has been described as "off the mainstream altogether!". From Delta Blues sounds to the quirks of a Tom Waits swing tune,Mark has found his own voice and has an unusual vocabulary of guitar techniques lurking at the fingertips.While many of his songs reflect his usually humorous side, beware the serious nature of many.
Mick Hadley
Mick Hadley is a local Blues legend in South East Queensland and has entertained audiences for more than three decades. In 2001, Mick was awarded the Centenary medal for his contribution to Australian Music. After the Purple Hearts and the Coloured Balls, Mick has put together a successful series of bands which were well known throughout Australia. The Atomic Boogie Band is Mick's latest incarnation which works consistently throughout South East Queensland and a regular at the Gympie Muster and Woodford Festivals.
Mojo Webb
A very talented local blues musician with an incredible singing voice and full command of a broad variety of musical instruments."Every note I have ever heard has influenced me, but most of those notes have been from bad-ass blues/jazz men/women of the first half of the twentieth century".
Mojo plays local gigs regularly and is an integral part of the blues scene in South East Queensland. Visit his website and MySpace pages for full details.
Paul D Renton (Vox, Guitars); Mark Doherty (Harmonica, Vox); Tom Matthews (Bass, Vox); George Ambrosio (Drums). Light Street Motors are a bright shiny new name on the Oz roots music scene. You'll hear songs from the pen of singer songwriter Paul D Renton - fresh, but with the timeless groove of music rooted in country, blues and soul. With their hearts in Memphis and Nashville, but their feet firmly planted in the soil of South East Qld, Light Street Motors carve out a solid slab of down home groove smothered in swamp sauce and liberally spiced with Paul D Renton's heartfelt lyrics.
Forming in early 2004, these cats love to play. Natural Ball are a young and energetic blues powerhouse. In 2007 the band took out first place in the Blues Association Of South East Queensland's Performer Of The Year Award, earning themselves a gig at the Australian Blues Festival at Golburn in February 2008. With the genuine love and inspiration of bluesmen including Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and T-Bone Walker... these guys are keeping the proverbial blue flame burning!
Panga And The True Blues
Peter “Panga” Reilly is an institution in South East Queensland. His gritty vocals and wailing blues harp can be heard at venues and festivals from Byron Bay to the Sunshine Coast.Catch some real down ‘n dirty electric blues and rock next time Panga and the True Blues are playing somewhere near you or, if you want to wake the neighbours, visit the band's website and grab their latest CD Six Feet In The Ground.
Slider Blues Band
Slider Blues was formed as a five piece blues band by a group of blues enthusiasts, passionate about blues, at the beginning of 2004 playing rock solid blues. This band has experienced musicians at it’s core, most of whom have been involved in live music all of their adult lives. Locally, the band regularly plays the Jubilee Hotel , 470 St. Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley and The Booroodabin Bowls Club, 126 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead in Brisbane. Both great music venues.
Steppin Out
Steppin' Out believe that the 'Blues' is supposed to make you feel better, so having some fun is a big part of their performance and Cath delivers the songs with more than just a touch of Sass and Sauciness!! Having just released their debut EP CD 'Toolbox Blues' at the beginning of 2007 and getting plenty of airplay.......they're already thinking about getting some original stuff out there.....soon! Check out the band's MySpace site for more details
The Blues Excuse
The Blues Excuse is one of Queensland’s premier blues acts, in a state that loves producing blues acts. They are experienced, super-pro, and the play blues with absolute passion and a dedication to their craft. This band is all about using blues as a platform to entertain people. These guys know that blues is the heart and soul of all popular 20th century musical styles and that most people, in some way or another, will connect with a Blues Excuse gig. It’s why they’ve been around for nearly nine years.
Tim has played the major music festivals in Australia, This year, he has already been booked for the Annual Brisbane Blues Festival, The Brisbane Jazz and Blues Festival, Blues on Broadbeach and the Treasury Casino with his band, The Blues Phaze.