ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Thanks, Zondrae. The most important accessory is a small square of carpet so that you don't drive it through the floor!

I have met Lindsay, Heather, but it was a couple of years ago. I do not know her well. I think my son knows her quite well.

I think she was in Saffron Avenue, Stephen. Didn't your son have something to do with that group? I saw him play with that group of musicians at Newstead - Mandy Connell, Lindsey Meldrum etc.

Heather

Yes, that's right, Heather. Thomas was in "The Paper Street Soap Company", a sort of jug band, but they are no more. His new group is a hip-hop outfit, "M.A.D. Empire". (Stands for "Mutually Assured Destruction".) They have a band member who sits in the audience, which I think is rather nice.

Stephen Whiteside wrote:a sort of jug band, but they are no more. His new group is a hip-hop outfit, "M.A.D. Empire". (Stands for "Mutually Assured Destruction".) They have a band member who sits in the audience, which I think is rather nice.

Except if it's the drummer . . . and you're sitting next to him

And what might be a "jug" band? There was a band I remember from the 80's called The Hooters . . . but I doubt I'm on the right track . .

"M.A.D. Empire" - still in the eighties . . . is that acronym taken, by any chance, from the Inspector Gadget cartoon series, the evil organisation headed by Dr Claw?

Marty

Not sure about Inspector Gadget, Marty.

Jug band. How to describe it?

Here's a clip of the Perch Creek Family Jug Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5W924TwkS0

Paper Street used to say Perch Creek was like them, but better! I thought they were being a bit hard on themselves.

This is my favourite Paper Street clip, though it was 40 degrees, day 3 of the festival, and the gang were pretty much out on their feet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cILjD5_wLxA

The Perch Creek mob are terrific entertainers. Saw them at Tamworth a couple of years ago and they pulled big crowds on Peel Street every day.

Cheers
David

Yes, they are great, I agree.

IMO the best dinky-di and classic Australian Jug Band ever is ... The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QToMxokPzU

Mick Conway usually on vocal-lead plays the jug (although not on this clip), washboard (a kind of lagerphone substitute) and a range of other odd instruments. Two of their albums ... Smoke Dreams (1972/3) and Wangaratta Wahine (1974) are brilliant and essential to have for anyone who likes Jug Band Music, or just up-tempo fun foot-tapping stuff.

Best Bush Band ever is a difficult call... probably Bushwackers and Cobbers equal.

Other Bush Bands have produced some brilliant vinyl albums... The Wild Colonial Boys and The Black Velvet Band.

.. what makes a Bush Band as compared to say a group that plays Australian (or Irish) Folk Music with lots of jigs and reels, is probably having a lagerphone and bush bass in the lineup! And ideally a good caller for the set-dances at Bush Dances.

Best Bush Band album ever is The Black Velvet Band live at Pentridge Prison.

Best Bush Band combo performing today for dances etc is probably The Shearers Tally Bush Band.

I reckon the Bushwackers definitely shaded the Cobbers, Gary, though both were great. The Cobbers album about women was great.

I don't know the Black Velvet Band - that album sounds very interesting. I reckon "Murrumbidgee" was the Bushwackers' best album - an absolute ripper!