Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Pat and Rusty hit town for the Kustom Nats and some recording

Howdy Folks!
                     I had a busy start to the year with a big weekend headlining with The Pat Capocci Combo, and Rusty Pinto, at the 10th annual Kustom Nats, on the first weekend of Jan at Phillip island. Here's how the weekend went
The weekend started early on the Thursday,with a trip down to one of my favourite venues, the LuWOW in Johnston st Fitzroy, to catch the launch of a split CD from Rusty Pinto, ant the Pat Capocci Combo. The boys did a set each, and D.J Dingo span some classic 45's in the breaks.
I got there nice and early, and was able to sit in with the boys as they had a run through before the gig
Taking Pats 1949 Gibson for a spin!
Rust was first up that night, and the Melbourne crowed really dug his new stuff, as you'd expect them too, he has an amazing voice! (voice envy, right here!)

Once Rusty warmed the crowed up (and the hearts of many a girl!) Dingo played some tunes, until Pat and the boys come out swinging!
The LuWOW is a great place to play, and to catch bands of all persuasions, and I love catching up with friends there

With Candice Deville, and Erin Amber
Anna Key, and Arthur Mats in the foreground
Cutting the rug with Candice
Sneaky shot of Erins long dreadlocks. I think Rusty approves!
Once the boys had finished, D.J Dingo took the night home playin cool tracks till stumps!
Then it was off to stay the night at my sisters house in NarreWarren.


Next morning I headed over to Dingo's place, met up with the boys, and car pooled it to Phillip island.
Once there, we stopped at an IGA, and stocked up on important supplies
Feeling a little in adequate next to Damien, and his slab
Sneaky shot of me, waiting for the rest of the guys to finish shopping
After dumping our stuff at the unit, we strolled down the beach for a toss of the frisbee, and general beach antics



Then onto our accom, where we soon made ourselves comfortable, and settled in for the night
Nathan showing us how it's done
Colonel Dingo hit the wine early!
After a pretty late (and loud) night, Dingo and I got up early, to get to the race track and set up his stall. The weather was great on the Saturday, and there was heaps of cool cars

(photo credits, Anna Key, Jason Gardner, Loaded Dice Photography, Speed Shop Photography, and me!)



Rusty had a gig in the arvo at the track, which went down a treat with the rodders.
We then packed up and headed into Cowes for out evening show, where Pat and the boys was first cab off the rank. The crowed really dug Pats stuff, and there was quite a mob of folk gathered by the time he finished.
Rusty and the boys had the middle spot and kept the swelling crowed happy, and Rusty was still stealing hearts, or at least, that general part of the body!






While the boys played, I caught up with friends
With Erin Amber . Nice photo bombing Damo! (Pats Bass player)

With Chrissie Magill
Dressed up, ready to Rock(abilly!)
By the time I got on, it was quite dark, but the crowed had hung around, and I aimed to make it worth their while!
I had a great set with Pat and the boys and got a great reception from the onlookers. But the weather started turning feral in my last song, so once we finished the crowed bolted, and once we packed up the stage, we did to. back to our accom, to beat the rain, and have a few quite celebratory drinks

The next morning, the rain was bucketing down and we got to the track thinking our shows would be called off, but not long after we got there, the sun came out, and the show went on!
Pat and the boys had an early gig, at 10am, and pretty much played to the stall holders, and some car guys who didn't let the rain stop them from coming. It's always tough to get fired up for a gig in this situation, but Pat, Damo, and Greg did an amazing job.
As the day went on, and the sun stayed out, more and more cars came out, and the day turned out about as big as the day before.
The track dried off, and i managed to get a few laps in  with friends Neil, and Denise Caslake in their 59 Mercury, before my gig  in the afternoon.
Others enjoyed the track too

After lunch, we got up and did our arvo set which was down the back, in some shedding, that earlier in the day was like a ghost town for the early bands. Thankfully, quite a crowed had got there buy the time I got up.
Because the weather looked soooo bad in the morning, and I expected the show would be cancelled, I didn't get dressed up as per usual, and I got to say, I felt mighty under dressed!

With Pat and Damo, before going on
Nathan Gamble was our roady/security, and did a ripper job!
Rockin out in the shed!

We the road home to Melbourne later that arvo, but not before stopping in at a pub in San Remo to catch a couple of Sets of mainly original tunes from Paulie Bignell, and the Thornbury two, very cool tunes indeed Paulie!
Then it was onto Dingo's place in Melbourne for the night, then onto Echuca the following morning.
All was not done yet for the week tho. Rusty and Pat, and the boys had been recording new tunes Monday and Tuesday at Paulie's 'Hailstone studio'. And I came back to Melbourne to record a tune with the boys I wrote as a theme song for a TV show, called Bumper to Bumper (show about classic cars). We had a few run throughs, then nailed it on about the 4th try. It's always a pleasure to record at Paulies!
Pat runnin through the riff at the intro of the song, with Rusty and Dingo looking on
Damo, Matt and Paulie ready to record
Once we got er done, Pat and Damo hit the road for the long drive to Sydney, and we did a little work on  the mixing side of things. I also got to sing a bass line on one of Rustys tunes.
Paulie and I did a bit more mixin of Bumper to Bumper after lunch, then I hit the road home to 3 little kids who were missing their Daddy.
A big week, but a fun one!
Take care
Scotty

Friday, January 20, 2012

Monash NYE GIG

Howdy Folks,
                      Well, I saw the new year in with Style this year, playing in a 4 band line up at the Monash Hotel. The bands were The Kierion McDonald Combo, Hank's Jalopy Demons, Itchy Fingers, and  myself.
 We were meant to kick off at 8pm, but with gremlins in the system, we had a 9pm start, and I was first cab off the rank. The late start was a good thing in the end, as the joint was pretty full by 9, and the crowed really dug my tunes. It was the first gig I had done a complete set with Andrew Lindsay (Pixi) on drums, and man did I enjoy that! Pixi has a real authentic 50s style about his drumming and puts a whole different feel to allot of my tunes. I'm certainly looking forward to other gigs I have lined up later in the year with Pixi backing me up!

taken just after coming off stage and cooling down outside
After my set, Itchy Fingers did a set to a very appreciative crowed, then Mr Kieron McDonald followed and had the crowed dancing
Kieron and Dave Cantrel tearing it up!

Kieron even got a visit from the guys he named a song, and album after...'The Swamp Man!'
Itchy fingers did another set after Kieron, and did the official count down to the new year.
Then they opened up  the stage up for Hank's Jalopy Demons!
Hank whipped the dancers into a frenzy with his hi energy performance

Colonel Dingo watched on as did Mrs Dingo
A great night was had by all, and it was fantastic to catch up with old friends.

 A big thank you to Terry Spiller for accommodating me, and drivingme to and from the gig!
Take care all!
Scotty

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Last gig for the year! (or is that first gig for next year?!)

Howdy folks!
Merry Christmas!! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas this year, surrounded by family and loved ones. I certainly did. I love this time of year, I get to catch up with family I often don't get to see much of throughout the year, and my 3 kids get so excited about Christmas, and cant wait for the morning after Santa has been.  This year (like every year!) they were totally spoiled by Santa, and their family.

NYE is only days away, and if your down in Melbourne, and looking for a way to bring in the new year, get yourself along to the Monash hotel at 2077 Dandenong Rd Clayton to the 4th annual, NYE Bash at the Nash!
4 great act will the rockin' you into the new year, Itchy Fingers, Hanks Jalopy Demons, the Kieron McDonald Combo, and Myself, Plus DJ Dingo will be spinnin' tunes in between the bands
This poster pretty much says it all. I hope you can get along, and if you do, be sure to come over and say G'day. If you cant, Let me take this opportunity to wish you a happy, and safe 2012!
Take care..Scotty

Thursday, December 8, 2011

My 1st gig at Matraville RSL

Howdy folks!
Again my apologies for the late post!  I had thought I'd left my camera on the plane heading back from my last gig in Sydney, but, I found where I had packed it, so I have photos to help tell the story. Yay!
Friday 11th November, I took an RDO and drove down to Melbourne, to catch a flight to Sydney, for a gig at the Matraville RSL that night.
Andrea Handford had organised this gig for me, after catching my gigs at Wintersun earlier in the year, and she had booked the flights months before the gig. Turns out, she had unknowingly booked me on an international flight both ways, which meant  I had to check in had to line up with HEAPS of people and clear customs as I departed, and  landed at both ends. I was such a drag! Andrea has promised to take more notice next time she books!
Anyway, she made up for it, by picking me up in her 56 Chev, and taking me out for dinner over looking the ocean, and then let me drive the Chev home!

After a bit of a relax at Andrea and Steve's place, it was time to dress up, and head to the RSL.
Upon arrival we caught up with my backing band, and partners in crime, Pat Capocci, Damien Lawson, and Greg Mccunn, from the Pat Capocci Combo.
Pats Old man was drivin the P.A that night, and already had it all set to go. Once Pat and the boys had polished off their quality RSL meals, they got up and did a 45 min set on their own.
As soon as they started, couples hit the floor, and by the end of their first tune, the dance floor was packed!

As The boys played, the joint began to fill with well dress folks,




After Pat and the boys had well and truly warmed the crowed up, it was my turn to hit the Stage. I was down to do 2 x45 min sets, which meant I had to fill my sets with covers, from  legends such as Elvis, Johnny, Carl, Roy, Jerry Lee amongst others.
The crowed was up for a dance that night, and were on the floor for most of the night!
It was a great night, and I'm looking forward to my next gig at Matraville RSL in Feb next year!





Andrea held an after party at her house, with friends from the night, and Steve on Karaoke!.....for quite some time! ;-)
I finally got to bed at about 3am!
At 8 in the morning, I was picked up in style from Andrea and Steve's, by my mate Georgio Rimi in his 57 Cadillac Fleetwood, and he took me to an American style diner called Harry's for a greasy breakfast!


After breaky we went cruizin through Newtown in the Caddy, man, what a ride! I've owned a couple of Caddy's in my day, and I have to say, after cruzin with Georgio, I've got a hankerin for another! I've always said I'm 'in between Cadillacs' at the moment!
After the cruise, it was on to Georgio's and Robyn Hayes' flat, to check out  Georgio's amazing wardrobe *drule* Man that guy has some very, VERY cool clothes! I'm so jealous!.
While there, and waiting on my next ride to pick me up, Georgio and I decided to have a little jam of a tune we call the 'Robyn hates this song blues'! A song he apparently plays allot! Just ask Robyn :)
Apparently it sounded better with us playing together!
My ride arrived not long after that, none less than the gorgeous Miss Pia Anderson! We bid Georgio and Robyn farewell, and headed back down to Newtown for lunch, and a quick stroll through some vintage shops, before Pia dropped me back at the airport to catch my International flight home!
Thanks to Andrea and Steve for booking me at Matraville, and to them, Pat and the boys, Georgio and Robyn, and Pia for looking after me while in Sydney. I'm looking forward to my next trip there late Feb next year!
Cheers!