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Badhats
An energetic collision of harmony fuelled roots and blues, the Sydney based badhats are a country band with a difference, equally at home with traditional acoustic “Down from the Mountain” material as they are with straight ahead barnstorming, floor polishing honky-tonk and swing, not to mention Bob Dylan. Various combinations of the band have played at venues such as the Rocks Square, country music and folk festivals and any number of pubs and clubs in the past, but the current line-up has proved inspiring enough to encourage the boys to step down off the front porch more frequently, with rumours of a cd to follow.
Drawing from a range of influences encompassing everything from Hank Williams and Merle Haggard to the Byrds and Buddy Miller, together with a few well chosen originals from singer-guitarist, Mark Lucas’ two critically acclaimed Laughing Outlaw albums, the band brings an off-beat sense of fun to their gigs guaranteed to get people in high spirits.
The core of the group features:
(with guest appearances from some of the finest fiddlers and pickers in the land).
Mark Lucas: vocals, guitars
Lead vocalist and guitarist, Mark Lucas has nearly 20 years experience as a semi-professional behind him, starting out in country bands in his native England before enjoying a varied career on the local Sydney pop/rock scene. Two marriages, 3 dogs and one FB Holden wagon later, having graduated from the alternative school of country music– life, he returned to his roots. He is probably best known in country music circles as former front man for seminal alt-country types, The Parwills, as well as a gifted songwriter with two solo albums and a number of awards to his credit. He remains happily married with two children, a rabbit and a rusting Ford F100.
Glenn Skarratt: mandolin, guitar, vocals
Glenn is a multi-talented professional musician whose credits include stints with respected bluegrass exponents Acoustic Shock, as well as The Murray Hillbillys and Donna Boyd. He is also house engineer at Herman Kovacs’ Ramrod Studios, and has worked in the studio with most of country music’s leading instrumental talents. Glenn has recently become father to a baby boy and is now very well behaved (even more so than before).
Chris Mearns: bass, vocals
Chris is another musician who has been around for many years, firstly as pianist in show bands, and then as bass player in various country bands. Most recently he has toured as a member of the multi-award winning Handpicked (but we’ve promised not hold that against him). Chris got a head start on the rest of us and his kids are quite grown up- he is our spiritual leader and parenting guru.
Steve Gunning: drums, vocals
The latest addition to the band, Steve brings a wealth of experience including time with Vicky O’Keefe, Glenn Rhodes, Grace Knight and Margaret Urlich (phew!!). Married with children (just like the rest of us) Steve is a lover of medium-rare steak and fine wine...which we have warned him may not feature in the band’s backstage rider just yet.
Mark Oats: fiddle, vocals
Mark needs little introduction as one of Australia ’s most respected and recognizable instrumentalists. A mainstay of the perennial Bushwackers, and Fiddlefest he is also well known for the collision of Irish lunacy and instrumental virtuosity that is Finn MacCool, as well as appearing in any number of other guises at festivals all around the country. Not married with children, Mr Oats is an inspiration to us all (musically speaking of course).
the badhats are available as a four or five piece band, or in two or three piece acoustic “unplugged” mode, as required.
For bookings and further information:
songsmith management
PO Box 53
Leichhardt NSW 2040
Tel: 02 9557 0199 / 02 9569 3813 (ah)
Fax: 02 9569 9335
Mob: 0412 646 288
smith@songsmith.com.au
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