Pleased as punch to reveal my brand new single ‘No Ordinary’! Recorded at Love HZ studios with Josh Schuberth (Josh Pyke) and featuring my tremendous band of Russell Crawford (Drums), Brian Crouch (Keys), Dave Hatt (Guitars) and Dave Keys (Bass). It’s as big a Guitar pop song song you’ll get out of me and I couldn’t be happier with this outcome. Please share, buy and add to your favourite playlists. That’s the best way to support indie fellas like me. Thank YOU!
Thrilled to find out that the band & I will be supporting Melbourne Guitar Pop legends EVEN on Fri, Sep 21 at the Marrickville Bowling Club. EVEN is a band I have long been a disciple of and it’s a huge privilege to share the stage with them. Tickets available now: OZTIX
Story: In 2005, I visited the Philippine for the very 1st time since migrating to Australia in the late 80’s. I occasionally took a peek at the music scene there, out of a mixture of curiosity and Homeland pride. Besides a few choice bands (e.g. Eraserheads, Sandwich, Bamboo), I was largely underwhelmed. Then one day in my father’s home town of Baguio City, I discovered this shaggy haired band called Orange & Lemon on a music TV channel. Was blown away at their classic pop melodicism and how ‘Anglo’ they sounded, with references to bands like The Beatles, XTC & The Smiths. I was hooked and felt great at discovering a fellow Filipino band that shared the same pop sensibilities as me. Their now legendary status and continued popularity back home does not surprise me one bit.
Fast forward to 2018 and I’m now label mates with this amazing band and even happier to say are now good friends. In October this year I get the privilege of bringing this amazing group to Australia and get the chance to support them on their 1st Aussie tour. Will be great to have your support for these shows and have you experience quality indie music out of the Asian shores.
Here’s our first headline gig for the year on Sunday, July 8. Back at the excellent Union Hotel Newtown with our esteemed buddies The Dardi Shades & Harvey Russell (of Peasant Moon). It’s also the first gig with this BE band lineup since late 2014, so I’m pretty chuffed. These fellas are special. Hope to see you there!
Coming towards the end of 2017 and it’s got me thinking how my output this year has been a bit sparse and inconsistent. But it definitely did have some highlights.
1. Touring my birth country, The Philippines with Asian indie legends The Camerawalls. Amazing experience and exceeded all my expectations. Thanks Clem, Law, Bach, Venj & Antonette especially.
2. Playing with my Tempe Two mates in Dave Keys & Russell Crawford. Though we hardly play together, it always feels just right when we do. Our last gig at Staves Brewery is a prime example of this. Check out the video below.
4. Having an unexpected reunion with my old band The Hazeys. It’s been brilliant so far. Big things for 2018 planned – Look out!
5. Singing Tom Petty tunes with some of Sydney’s finest. TP’s loss was a blow but this event went a long way to ease some of the pain.
So that’s it for the year. Thanks for all those who supported my music in one way or another. Always grateful. Here’s to a great 2018 for the lot of us!
The Tempe Two and I are coming back to the Union Hotel Newtown on Sunday, August 13. Supporting our friends from Fallon Cush for their single launch. Perfect tonic to end the weekend friends.
It’s been over a decade since I had the privilege of working on my debut solo record ‘All the Bells and Whistles’ with local legend and good mate of mine in Michael Carpenter. So on a beautiful Autumn day in April, we reunited in his inspiring studio (Love Hz) and recorded this track called ‘Rattled and Rolled’. With no rehearsals and all instruments played between us, this song was recorded, mixed and mastered in just over 8 hours! This is the beauty of working with a guy as tremendous as MC. Extremely happy at the final result. The single artwork by talented Manila artist Tissa Pagaduan.
At this stage there is no album planned for release (but I’m sure that will change in the near future!) so this Digital only single will be available for sale on my Bandcamp store, itunes, Spotify and other music streaming services. Profit from the Bandcamp & Itunes sales of this single will be donated to the great folks at The Heart Foundation, a charity that focuses on research and prevention of Heart disease. I sadly lost my father to the effects of this disease earlier this year and want to support this important and worthwhile organisation. Your support of my music will also support studies into a disease that I’m sure has touched you in some way.
Been a few days now since I’ve been home from the Philippines Tour and I’m still on a high. What an experience! Really had no idea what I was in for and boy did it give out the goodies in spades. Thanks a million to my tour mates, the amazing ‘The Camerawalls’, Tonette Maniquis, all the venues and promoters and to my family, friends and fans who came to the shows.
