I’d just finished a recording session and the producer says “while you’re here can you do a quick guitar track on this song for me?” We listen to the song and decide that a Fender Stratocaster would be a suitable sound. As I didn’t have a Strat with me that…
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When you’re booked for a studio session often you don’t meet the featured artist until you arrive at the session. In this case the sessions were over a few days. The first few days were recording the band tracks which consisted of guitar, bass, drums and piano. The piano player…
Back in the 1990s when I was doing quite a few recording sessions as a guitar player some interesting situations and requests would arise. One day I received a call from a producer who wanted to book me for an ‘Overdub’ session. This can mean anything from replacing existing guitar…
$25 AUD (FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING) [wp_cart_button name=”Going to Kaleponi CD” price=”25″] The Makua Beach video was shot on location at Makua Beach (hence the song title) in Hawaii by master underwater videographer Ray Hollowell in 2011. We wanted to capture the feel of Hawaii in both the music and the vision….
This is a drive down West Coast Hwy, Perth, Western Australia. Starting just north of Hillarys Boat Harbour and heading south, ending with sunset at Cottesloe Beach. Growing up in Perth, especially in the 80s (when I was in my 20s), was a time of growth. In fact Western Australia…
Last weekend I travelled with Mental As Anything to New Zealand’s south island to play a gig at the Snapafest Festival. This was in Nelson, which is known for its fishing industry. At Wellington airport waiting for our connecting flight to Nelson, New Zealand. While driving from the airport to…
Read: Part 1 & Part 2 After an afternoon sound check to acclimatize ourselves with the hire gear we would be using that night, it’s back to our hotel room for a little rest before dinner. We had a room set up for us on the same floor as the gig where…
Read: Part 1 & Part 3 When I found out that a gig in Beijing, China was in the works I thought, how can I play this gig without taking any music gear at all. No guitar, pedals, leads, straps, nothing. Travel only with carry on luggage and no music gear at all….
Four plane flights, one gig. I travelled to Beijing, China with Mental As Anything to play a charity gig. The gig was at The Sofitel, as was our accommodation. It took me a minute to get to the gig from my room. (A minute and a half if the lift was…
The original Fender Stratocaster. Fender got it right first time. Read more about it at www.1954stratocaster.com I’m of the opinion that the design of the Fender Stratocaster guitar was 100% correct from the very first released production models in mid 1954. I have an original ’54 (May) Strat and it…
O Come All Ye Faithful Melody guitar: 1961 (white) Fender Stratocaster, Echolette, 1963 Fender Reverb Tank, 1962 Vox AC30. Microphones Neumann U-87 & Sennheiser 421. Overdrive Guitar: 1961 Fender Stratocaster, 1964 Vox AC30 – U-87. Vibrato guitar: 1964 Denelectro Baritone guitar, 1963 Fender Reverb Tank, 1959 Fender Vibrolux Amp. U-87…
This weekend the Mentals had a break, so I had a gig with my band at Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville. We were supported by the Mighty Surftones. They have a residency at Lazybones on the 3rd Sunday of each month – go and check them out. I had Lloyd Gyi…
This weekend I had a couple of gigs with the Mentals in Queensland at Charters Towers, outside Townsville, and Noosa at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club. The Charters Towers gig was a festival called Towers Rocks. Also on the bill were Daryl Braithwaite, Rusell Morris, The Radiators, Kevin Borich & Wendy…
Had a great weekend at the Gympie Music Muster. Gympie is located approx. 160 kms north of Brisbane in Queensland. I played 2 gigs with Mental As Anything and also played a few ‘surf’ tunes at the Fender Jam early Saturday evening. There was lots of music to be had…
I’ve been enjoying traveling around Australia playing guitar with legendary Australian band Mental As Anything. The last few weeks we’ve been in Queensland and Southern NSW. In June we have gigs around New South Wales and in July we’re back in WA and then SA. Check out my site for…
When I brought my band to California from Australia last year I had plans to record a film clip of Mrs Moto, from my 2013 album “Going to Kaleponi”, hopefully with Paul Johnson. I ran it past him and he agreed. We decided to film at Huntington Beach. It was…
We recently played at the Manly Market Place in the Sydney beachside suburb of Manly. The theme for the night was “retro surf”. There was a surf movie screened before our set. It was a great spring evening and thanks to everyone for coming along.
Back in Sydney on a great spring evening for our gig at the Bridge Hotel, Rozelle,Sydney. It may appear to be a peaceful evening although the police were right outside with their RBT. There are 4 acts on tonight and I’m playing with three of them. …
Sunday we played an afternoon gig at the Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy. The day started off with the fabulous Ben Rogers Instrumental Asylum. Next the Black Molls (Fred Negro and Dave Moll) took the stage with their witty tunes, unusual props and stage banter. Then we did our…
The day after Basement Discs we played at the Caravan Club in Oakleigh. This is a fabulous old RSL club in the heart of Oakleigh that hosts some of the world’s best musicians. They treated us extremely well. My band played the support. Then Lloyd…
On Friday we played an instore lunchtime gig at legendary Melbourne record shop Basement Discs. They have live music every Friday lunchtime. They’re a great supporter of live music in Melbourne. The lunchtime crowd. Signing CDs. Thanks Basement Discs. We…
After I got back from the US I flew to Perth, for a gig with Dave Warner at the Charles Hotel. We played here last year to a packed crowd and were looking forward to another sold out gig. I played a set before Dave hit the stage…
On Saturday the 17th we dropped off the tour van at the airport. We’re going to miss our loyal companion. I’d like to thank so many people that made this tour such a special event, including Jeff Big Tiki Dude, Tiki Tena, Big Wave Dave, Paul Johnson, Lorenzo…
On Friday, our second last day in the country, we met with our good friend Ann. She drove us to some of her favourite wineries in Napa Valley. We finished off the day at Domaine Carneros. They specialise in Champagne. We managed to taste nearly all…
The next day we packed up and left for our drive back to San Francisco. We decided to take the longer scenic way, through Malibu and along the coast. Some amazing houses there. On the way we stopped at Carmel, in Monterey, for what turned out to be…
On Tuesday we visited the Queen Mary and had lunch in Long Beach. Beautiful detail inside the ship. We did an impromptu photoshoot in a few locations on the ship. Then we continued on to our final gig at Surf Dog Sport’s Grill in Huntington Beach….
On Monday night we played the Annual Summer Tiki Party at Spikes, a Rockabilly venue east of downtown LA. It was an interesting place. You access it through the back door. From the front it looks like an abandoned building next to a vacant lot. It…