Published under the title "Fine tuning a musical life" in Bluestone Magazine April 19th 2015 - written by Louise North
It would sound almost cliched if it weren’t true, but singer and country and western music fan Louise Clancey is a coalminer’s daughter. And just like legendary country and western singer Loretta Lynn – another coalminer’s daughter – Louise comes from humble beginnings. The “shy country kid”, who was born in New Zealand, went to a primary school that had just 25 other students, but has since turned her quiet upbringing on its heels. Today she is a well-known performer and singer in the south-west through her pub rock band, The Louie Clancey Band, and she’s about to undertake a PhD in literature at Deakin University. The contrast is not lost on Louise, but she says she’s able to compartmentalise her life and it’s just as well, because there are a lot of competing interests. She’s a part-time university lecturer, student, singer and single mum. “I was the quintessential child who sang into a hair brush and imagined being a singer and an actor,” she said. Louise loved being in school plays and was “obsessed” with the 1970s television show the Partridge Family and the American singing family The Osmonds. “Mum always said I sang as soon as I could talk,” she said last week at Deakin University in between teaching classes.
At age 10, Louise and a friend performed as a country and western duo at local country dances dressed in cowboy hats and plenty of denim with tassels and fringes. Like most kids, she grew up with the sounds of her parent’s record collection
which featured Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Charlie Pride, although Louise’s mother, Gail, had eclectic taste and there was some Abba and The Sweet to break the country twang. As a shy child (“and yes people do laugh at that now”), Louise was terrified but compelled to perform, “but once I was on stage, I was in my element”. Louise cut her teeth on musical theatre at high school and smiles broadly when she recalls roles as Mary Magdalene in Godspell and tough-girl Rizzo in Grease. “There is a real sense of family and community in preparing for a performance, but the last night is a little death and you wonder ‘what now?’,” she said.
For Louise, however, there was always something brewing in her dynamic mind.She dabbled in a couple of bands up until her mid-20s and when she was 25moved to Western Australia to work with BHP at remote mining sites. It was there that she met her former husband, chef Andrew Clancey.Andrew had family in Warrnambool and so the couple, with their then fivemonth-old son Noah, moved to Port Fairy where they established Portofinos Restaurant with Andrew’s brother Shane. Louise also immersed herself in cabaret with the Warrnambool Theatre Company. With a move into Warrnambool and a change in band structure, Louise isreflecting on where her musical expression might turn nextthat time Louise met musician Mal Hill who started her on her singing journey and together they performed acoustic gigs in local cafes.With some confidence under her belt, Louise formed the alternative,country, bluegrass band Louie and Rustlers in 2002 with Jon Clegg and Russ Goodear.Others would come in and out of the line up, but they performed at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, produced two EPs and were invited to perform at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. The group broke up in 2006, but reformed in 2010 to play at “the Folkie” one last time. During that time Louise wrote a lot of original material for the band and her early songwriting talent was recognised with a nomination in the 2004 Victorian Country Music Awards. As the Rustlers were breaking up, Louise formed a new band with a new style. The Louie Clancey Band retained four of Rustlers members and became a pub-rock band that plays mostly covers: a mix of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Divinyls with a bit of Fleetwood Mac is a typical night out. Louise is the lead vocalist supported by Michael Schack (bass) Tim Clingan(drums), Jereme Clingan (guitar), and Darren Ely who, after more than four years, has just left the band.Ely’s exit from the band, and moving to live in Warrnambool last week, has given Louise pause for reflection on the future of the band. “I’m looking for a fresh start to reinvigorate the band; its direction,” she said. It’s clear she isn’t seeking to keep the status quo, but rather a major reassessment of where she wants to take the band from here.One thing she does know for certain is the name of the band will change. ‘Louie’ has matured and Louise is keen to reflect that maturity.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Band plays tribute to Elvis
Published in the Warrnambool Standard 9th Jan. 2003
If Elvis Presley hadn't had a heart attack on the toilet about 25 years ago, he would have been enjoying his 68th birthday yesterday. To celebrate this fact - the birthday, not the heart attack - Warrnambool cover band "Old Spice" will remember the king in its Saturday night performance at Port Fairy's Caledonian Inn. Bassist Michael Schack said the group usually played a couple of Elvis numbers, but on the weekend they intend to play an entire set of Presley tunes. He explained Old Spice guitarist-vocalist Garry McColl was a fan of the rock 'n' roll legend and was even planning to slip on a jumpsuit to belt out a few classics. "Garry is a bit of an Elvis fanatic - he's visited Graceland", Schack said. The other members of the band, guitarist Tim Netherway and drummer Eoin Cameron will not be dressing up Elvis style, Schack said, but he welcomed any audience members who felt like putting on their blue suede shoes for the night.
If Elvis Presley hadn't had a heart attack on the toilet about 25 years ago, he would have been enjoying his 68th birthday yesterday. To celebrate this fact - the birthday, not the heart attack - Warrnambool cover band "Old Spice" will remember the king in its Saturday night performance at Port Fairy's Caledonian Inn. Bassist Michael Schack said the group usually played a couple of Elvis numbers, but on the weekend they intend to play an entire set of Presley tunes. He explained Old Spice guitarist-vocalist Garry McColl was a fan of the rock 'n' roll legend and was even planning to slip on a jumpsuit to belt out a few classics. "Garry is a bit of an Elvis fanatic - he's visited Graceland", Schack said. The other members of the band, guitarist Tim Netherway and drummer Eoin Cameron will not be dressing up Elvis style, Schack said, but he welcomed any audience members who felt like putting on their blue suede shoes for the night.
Garry McColl as Elvis at the Stump
Two Dead Liver outlaws cop three big blows
Originally written by Dave Dawson and published in the Sydney Daily Mirror ca. 1982.
Melbourne outlaw band, Dead Livers, is living up to its name - two of the group's founding members now boast three drink driving charges. Singer Marty Atchison recently blew 0.07 and got a good behavior bond, and now bearded bassist Mick Schack could be in for an even bigger blow. Schack recorded 0.065 after being bagged following a gig at the German club in Frankston, and police say he will be prosecuted as its his second offence. Ironically, Dead Livers' latest record, The Star of the West, is the saga of a drinking bout with former Collingwood footy star -actor Ronnie Wearmouth at his Port Fairy hotel.
Melbourne outlaw band, Dead Livers, is living up to its name - two of the group's founding members now boast three drink driving charges. Singer Marty Atchison recently blew 0.07 and got a good behavior bond, and now bearded bassist Mick Schack could be in for an even bigger blow. Schack recorded 0.065 after being bagged following a gig at the German club in Frankston, and police say he will be prosecuted as its his second offence. Ironically, Dead Livers' latest record, The Star of the West, is the saga of a drinking bout with former Collingwood footy star -actor Ronnie Wearmouth at his Port Fairy hotel.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Catching a Dixie Chicks boa
Originally published in the Warrnambool Standard Friday November 19th 1999
"Up there Schack"
3way-fm country music presenter Michael Schack scrambled over a pack of screaming audience members to take possession of a raunchy piece of memorabilia at the recent Dixie Chicks concert in Melbourne. The Texas-based country pop group performed to a sell out crowd at the Palais on Saturday night, with Mr. Schack, his wife Helen and two children securing front of house seats. At the end of the night, the group members, Emily, Natalie and Mardi, threw their feather boas into the crowd - with Mr. Schack taking a speckie off a fellow patrons back to clutch the sought-after souvenir. But his wife Helen did did not score as well. "..She got hit in the face from an over enthusiastic patron in the melee for the boa", Mr. Schack said. Fortunately "there were no bruises". Mr. Schack said the boa was one of his prized country music souvenirs. Needless to say the Dixie Chicks are set to enjoy an increase in air time on 3WAY-FM in future.
"Up there Schack"
3way-fm country music presenter Michael Schack scrambled over a pack of screaming audience members to take possession of a raunchy piece of memorabilia at the recent Dixie Chicks concert in Melbourne. The Texas-based country pop group performed to a sell out crowd at the Palais on Saturday night, with Mr. Schack, his wife Helen and two children securing front of house seats. At the end of the night, the group members, Emily, Natalie and Mardi, threw their feather boas into the crowd - with Mr. Schack taking a speckie off a fellow patrons back to clutch the sought-after souvenir. But his wife Helen did did not score as well. "..She got hit in the face from an over enthusiastic patron in the melee for the boa", Mr. Schack said. Fortunately "there were no bruises". Mr. Schack said the boa was one of his prized country music souvenirs. Needless to say the Dixie Chicks are set to enjoy an increase in air time on 3WAY-FM in future.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Homemade Jam
Diverse musical chorus sings for cancer funds in Warrnambool
By Matt Neal Warrnambool Standard July 10, 2012,
Among the 16 bands to take part in next month’s event are Jo Brooks (front left), Sheree Duncan (front right), Russ Goodear (back left), Brett Holbrook, Michael Schack, Andrew Savage, Tommy Lie and Kev Stier.
ONE of the most diverse musical line-ups Warrnambool has seen will come together at the Lighthouse Theatre to raise money for cancer research and Peter’s Project.
Billed as Homemade Jam — A Concert For Cancer, the event will take place on August 18 from 7.30pm.
While the primary focus will be to raise money for the Australian Prostate Cancer Research, the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Peter’s Project, it will also serve as a showcase of the various styles of music played by musicians in the south-west.
From classical to folk, Irish to rock, and country to jazz, organiser Russ Goodear said the line-up had been assembled with the aim of finding a range of musical genres from the region’s pool of talent.
Artists include Port Fairy jazz pianist Gavin Franklin, the Warrnambool Symphony Orchestra, Port Fairy alt-pop group Melva Vs Salvador, the showtune stylings of Jonathan Cox & Nathan Wright, folk singing historian Dennis O’Keeffe, indigenous artist Paul Kelly, young duo Tommy Lie & Didi Peters, pop duo Louise Clancey and Darren Ely, Celtic-pop group Aniar, choirs The Resonators and Cantori, country-folk act the Russ Goodear Band, young prog-rock band Atlas and more.
The concert will be the first time many of the artists have performed at the Lighthouse Theatre, and more special guests are expected to be added to the bill in the near future.
Tickets are available through the Lighthouse Theatre box office.
By Matt Neal Warrnambool Standard July 10, 2012,
Among the 16 bands to take part in next month’s event are Jo Brooks (front left), Sheree Duncan (front right), Russ Goodear (back left), Brett Holbrook, Michael Schack, Andrew Savage, Tommy Lie and Kev Stier.
ONE of the most diverse musical line-ups Warrnambool has seen will come together at the Lighthouse Theatre to raise money for cancer research and Peter’s Project.
Billed as Homemade Jam — A Concert For Cancer, the event will take place on August 18 from 7.30pm.
While the primary focus will be to raise money for the Australian Prostate Cancer Research, the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Peter’s Project, it will also serve as a showcase of the various styles of music played by musicians in the south-west.
From classical to folk, Irish to rock, and country to jazz, organiser Russ Goodear said the line-up had been assembled with the aim of finding a range of musical genres from the region’s pool of talent.
Artists include Port Fairy jazz pianist Gavin Franklin, the Warrnambool Symphony Orchestra, Port Fairy alt-pop group Melva Vs Salvador, the showtune stylings of Jonathan Cox & Nathan Wright, folk singing historian Dennis O’Keeffe, indigenous artist Paul Kelly, young duo Tommy Lie & Didi Peters, pop duo Louise Clancey and Darren Ely, Celtic-pop group Aniar, choirs The Resonators and Cantori, country-folk act the Russ Goodear Band, young prog-rock band Atlas and more.
The concert will be the first time many of the artists have performed at the Lighthouse Theatre, and more special guests are expected to be added to the bill in the near future.
Tickets are available through the Lighthouse Theatre box office.
Dennis and Mem Taberner
Dennis and Mem Taberner are a husband and wife duo emanating from the emerging folk music scene in Warrnambool in the late sixties and early 70s. Dennis has been a member of several bands including "The new folk" and "Emu Creek" and is a regular banjo tutor at the Lake School held each January in Koroit. In 2002 they recorded an album title "34 years on" which included a song "Donna Donna" - a Yiddish theater song about a calf being led to slaughter and covered by Joan Baez amongst others.
Neil Murray
Neil Murray is a native of Lake Bolac and well known not only in the south west but throughout Australia and beyond. He has been a major force behind the Lake Bolac Eel Festival and appeared at the Tarerer Showcase during the Ausmusic festival in November 2015
He first appeared in the early eighties as a founding member of the Warumpi Band, which over three albums (Big Name, No Blankets, Go Bush, Too Much Humbug) and twenty years of performing propelled contemporary indigenous music into mainstream Australia, yielding such classic songs as My Island Home, Blackfella Whitefella, Fitzroy Crossing, Jailanguru Pakarnu, Stompin Ground, From the Bush and Waru.
He has become one of Australia’s most respected and influential singer/songwriters and has enjoyed a solo career since 1989. He has released twelve solo albums- "Calm & Crystal Clear", "These Hands", "Dust", "The Wondering Kind", "Going The Distance", "About Time" (a 2CD retrospective compilation) "Spoken", "2Songmen" (live with Shane Howard in Darwin) ,"Overnighter", "Witness", "Sing the Song- the essential Neil Murray", and his latest release "Bring Thunder & Rain".
The album "Overnighter" includes THE LIGHTS OF HAY
He first appeared in the early eighties as a founding member of the Warumpi Band, which over three albums (Big Name, No Blankets, Go Bush, Too Much Humbug) and twenty years of performing propelled contemporary indigenous music into mainstream Australia, yielding such classic songs as My Island Home, Blackfella Whitefella, Fitzroy Crossing, Jailanguru Pakarnu, Stompin Ground, From the Bush and Waru.
He has become one of Australia’s most respected and influential singer/songwriters and has enjoyed a solo career since 1989. He has released twelve solo albums- "Calm & Crystal Clear", "These Hands", "Dust", "The Wondering Kind", "Going The Distance", "About Time" (a 2CD retrospective compilation) "Spoken", "2Songmen" (live with Shane Howard in Darwin) ,"Overnighter", "Witness", "Sing the Song- the essential Neil Murray", and his latest release "Bring Thunder & Rain".
The album "Overnighter" includes THE LIGHTS OF HAY
Hot Tamale Baby - Warrnambool band
Hot Tamale Baby was the name of a Warrnambool band in the 1990s headed by husband and wife team Peter and Sue Lucas. The couple had previously headed a number of bands including Bush Cabaret and Emu Creek. Their fascination with zydeco music lead them to name the band after a song by Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 – December 12, 1987), a Louisiana French-speaking native of Louisiana, and eminent performer and recording artist of Zydeco (a musical genre evolved in southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers which blends blues, rhythm and blues, and music indigenous to the Louisiana Creoles and the Native people of Louisiana). Sadly Peter passed away in 1999 just as their self titled album was released. The album includes the song JUMP DOWN
Locals join blues galaHot Tamale Baby
(Warrnambool Standard 1/10/98 - Arts and entertainment - compiled by Kylie Smith and Anthony Bunn) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
Warrnambool zydeco rhythm and blues band Hot Tamale Baby will appear alongside blues luminaries from Australia and the US at a festival this weekend. The Great Southern International Blues Festival, gearing up in Narooma on the New South Wales south coast, will feature Chris Wilson and the Crown of Thorns, the Black Sorrows and the Bondi Cigars, as well as US acts such as the Chris Gain Band. Hot Tamale Baby's Peter Lucas said the seven-piece outfit was looking forward to playing, but also to kicking back off the stage and enjoying the cream of the Australian blues scene. The band will return to the south-west for gigs in Port Fairy and Warrnambool on October 10 and 11.
Farewell gig for musician
Warrnambool Standard 8th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
THE Warrnambool music scene will farewell one of its best-loved musicians and teachers this weekend at a gig in memory of Peter Lucas, founding member of the band Hot Tamale Baby. The 48-year-old Woodford man died of a heart attack last month, seven years after being told by doctors a genetic heart condition meant he had only six months to live. Peter’s wife, Sue Mellersh-Lucas, said the Sunday afternoon gig would be [a] way of finalising a chapter and saying goodbye. “Music was very important to Pete, I know that he was much loved in the local music scene. There are a lot of people who would like to say goodbye this way.” The gig will also feature the launch of Hot Tamale Baby’s recently completed self-titled CD. The CD’s release follows recent recognition for the group, with an Australian Roots Music Award for best female vocal performance and successful appearance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Sue said the pair was in the process of planning the CD’s launch at the time of Peter’s death. “I felt (launching the CD this Sunday) was the only thing I could do, I’m not giving any thought at the moment to what Hot Tamale Baby will do.” She said many people who had known Peter had pulled together to make the gig a success, helping with everything from cooking to setting up the sound system. Students from the South West Institute of Tafe arts department, where Peter was a lecturer, had made posters and were decorating the venue. “I have had loads of people wanting to help out, who feel it is important for this gig to go on,” Sue said. “My girls and I have had enormous support ... it’s been a wonderful thing that people have been wanting to say thanks to Pete.” Among the performers at the Old Collegians football clubrooms on Sunday afternoon will be Marco Goldsmith, Lee Morgan, Piffen Yonnies and Slap ‘N’ The Cats. The afternoon, including raffles, a sausage sizzle and full bar, will kick off at 2.30pm. Tickets are $5.
HOT TAMALE BABY CD LAUNCH
by David Dawson. Previously published in Beat Magazine April 1999 - ©Copyright D. Dawson 1999. All rights reserved
Soulful Shipwreck Coast combo Hot Tamale Baby honor late co-founder Peter Lucas with a posthumous CD launch, tribute and benefit on Sunday in Warrnambool. Lucas, 48 and suffering a genetic heart defect, died early on Sunday March 14 after a massive coronary at the Hawthorn flat of his two daughters - both university students. Peter and singing spouse Su Mellersh-Lucas fronted a swag of Warrnambool roots bands including Emu Creek, Eureka, Rock Wallaby and Kaleidico before forming Hot Tamale Baby. The band recorded its self titled album, featuring seven original tunes penned by Peter and Su, at Tony Peel’s Warrnambool studio, in 1998. Although the band frequently played live throughout Victoria, NSW and South Australia it was only at the 11th hour the CD was entered in the second annual Australian Roots Music Awards in Warrnambool. Hot Tamale Baby surprised no-one but itself when Su won best female vocal performance for the band’s cut of its tune Blues For Tibet. Ironically, the January win was the 21st wedding anniversary of the duo who renovated the old Woodford post office on the banks of the Merri River. Peter, who was given six months to live by doctors in 1992, defied medical opinion and lived for another seven years by adopting eastern medicine and religion. Lucas lived long enough to savor the success of his band, performed at the prestige Port Fairy Folk festival but died before the band could perform at the Apollo Bay festival. Now, the cream of the south west Victorian roots music scene are donating their services for the belated CD launch at the Old Collegians Football Club, Warrnambool, on Sunday. “Peter would have wanted his band to continue after his tragic passing,” former band mate and benefit organiser Wally Edney told Beat. “Larry Lawson has joined on bass for the gig and, hopefully, for other bookings that may eventuate. It’s also a benefit as Peter’s medical, ambulance and funeral costs need to be met. Peter had scaled down his work commitments because of his health and the need for quality time with his family. It’s now hoped the function will considerably help Sue and their daughters Sahr and Paije.” The function, starting at 2 p m, will feature two stages - accoustic and bands. Fellow roots music award winning singer Lee Morgan, former Blue Heat singer Marco Goldsmith, Peter Daffy, Richard Tankard and Duncan McKenzie perform on the accoustic stage. The bands’ stage will feature Zydeco Jump leader George Butrumlis & Friends, Lost In Suburbia, Slap N The Cats, Piffin Yonnies, the Warrnambool jazz ensemble and, of course, Hot Tamale Baby.
Musicians farewell a friend
Warrnambool Standard 12th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
WARRNAMBOOL'S music community came together at a gig yesterday to remember and farewell Peter Lucas, founding member of the band Hot Tamale Baby. More than 350 people visited the Old Collegians football clubrooms to hear Marco Goldsmith, Piffen Yonnies, Slap 'N' The Cats, Hot Tamale Baby and other performers sing in honor of one of the city's best-loved musicians.
Peter's wife and fellow Hot Tamale Baby member, Su Mellersh-Lucas, said yesterday she was impressed by the turnout. Many of the patrons had travelled from Melbourne for the day. "It's come together very easily. I had an army of people come forward. I've actually been forced to relax," Mrs Mellersh-Lucas said. "It's a tribute to the sort of person Pete was, that he could inspire this sort of recognition, and that's what a lot of people have been saying to me. He's here enjoying it, I'm sure. This is the sort of thing he loved. "Musicians are a very close-knit community and we're seeing it here this afternoon." Yesterday marked the launch of Hot Tamale Baby's self-titled CD, which Mrs Mellersh-Lucas said was focused on moving the band to the festival circuit. "This is very appropriate to launch it today, when all the people who are here are friends, so I know that they're probably behind the CD for other reasons." She was unable to predict the future of the band. "I haven't given it any thought, because Pete was the heart and soul of Hot Tamale Baby and without him it's very hard for me to make any decision," "It will take time, so in a way today is an important statement because it's a way for Hot Tamale Baby to say goodbye to Pete as well." Mr Lucas was 48 when he died of a heart attack last month, seven years after he was told by doctors a genetic heart condition meant he had only six months to live.
. . . (Report: TANYA DOOLAN. Picture: LEANNE GOURLEY)
Fitting farewell
Warrnambool Standard 15th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
WARRNAMBOOL said goodbye in style to one of its favorite musicians on Sunday at a farewell gig to Peter Lucas. It was a fitting tribute to the Woodford musician and teacher, featuring some of the region’s best talent, including Marco Goldsmith, Andy Alberts, Lee Morgan, Slap ’N’ The Cats and, of course, Hot Tamale Baby. Peter’s widow Sue Mellersh-Lucas, who put in a wonderful performance with the band founded by the couple, said she was delighted by the success of the gig. Around 350 friends, students and music lovers attended the afternoon. “It was an outstanding success — it was a real treat for Warrnambool to see so much local talent at one time.” She said she believed that Peter would have been there on Sunday watching the proceedings. “It was the sort of thing you couldn’t keep him away from.” Sue said in recognition of the community support she and her daughters had received, some of the money raised would go to district charities.
(Warrnambool Standard 1/10/98 - Arts and entertainment - compiled by Kylie Smith and Anthony Bunn) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
Warrnambool zydeco rhythm and blues band Hot Tamale Baby will appear alongside blues luminaries from Australia and the US at a festival this weekend. The Great Southern International Blues Festival, gearing up in Narooma on the New South Wales south coast, will feature Chris Wilson and the Crown of Thorns, the Black Sorrows and the Bondi Cigars, as well as US acts such as the Chris Gain Band. Hot Tamale Baby's Peter Lucas said the seven-piece outfit was looking forward to playing, but also to kicking back off the stage and enjoying the cream of the Australian blues scene. The band will return to the south-west for gigs in Port Fairy and Warrnambool on October 10 and 11.
Farewell gig for musician
Warrnambool Standard 8th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
THE Warrnambool music scene will farewell one of its best-loved musicians and teachers this weekend at a gig in memory of Peter Lucas, founding member of the band Hot Tamale Baby. The 48-year-old Woodford man died of a heart attack last month, seven years after being told by doctors a genetic heart condition meant he had only six months to live. Peter’s wife, Sue Mellersh-Lucas, said the Sunday afternoon gig would be [a] way of finalising a chapter and saying goodbye. “Music was very important to Pete, I know that he was much loved in the local music scene. There are a lot of people who would like to say goodbye this way.” The gig will also feature the launch of Hot Tamale Baby’s recently completed self-titled CD. The CD’s release follows recent recognition for the group, with an Australian Roots Music Award for best female vocal performance and successful appearance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Sue said the pair was in the process of planning the CD’s launch at the time of Peter’s death. “I felt (launching the CD this Sunday) was the only thing I could do, I’m not giving any thought at the moment to what Hot Tamale Baby will do.” She said many people who had known Peter had pulled together to make the gig a success, helping with everything from cooking to setting up the sound system. Students from the South West Institute of Tafe arts department, where Peter was a lecturer, had made posters and were decorating the venue. “I have had loads of people wanting to help out, who feel it is important for this gig to go on,” Sue said. “My girls and I have had enormous support ... it’s been a wonderful thing that people have been wanting to say thanks to Pete.” Among the performers at the Old Collegians football clubrooms on Sunday afternoon will be Marco Goldsmith, Lee Morgan, Piffen Yonnies and Slap ‘N’ The Cats. The afternoon, including raffles, a sausage sizzle and full bar, will kick off at 2.30pm. Tickets are $5.
HOT TAMALE BABY CD LAUNCH
by David Dawson. Previously published in Beat Magazine April 1999 - ©Copyright D. Dawson 1999. All rights reserved
Soulful Shipwreck Coast combo Hot Tamale Baby honor late co-founder Peter Lucas with a posthumous CD launch, tribute and benefit on Sunday in Warrnambool. Lucas, 48 and suffering a genetic heart defect, died early on Sunday March 14 after a massive coronary at the Hawthorn flat of his two daughters - both university students. Peter and singing spouse Su Mellersh-Lucas fronted a swag of Warrnambool roots bands including Emu Creek, Eureka, Rock Wallaby and Kaleidico before forming Hot Tamale Baby. The band recorded its self titled album, featuring seven original tunes penned by Peter and Su, at Tony Peel’s Warrnambool studio, in 1998. Although the band frequently played live throughout Victoria, NSW and South Australia it was only at the 11th hour the CD was entered in the second annual Australian Roots Music Awards in Warrnambool. Hot Tamale Baby surprised no-one but itself when Su won best female vocal performance for the band’s cut of its tune Blues For Tibet. Ironically, the January win was the 21st wedding anniversary of the duo who renovated the old Woodford post office on the banks of the Merri River. Peter, who was given six months to live by doctors in 1992, defied medical opinion and lived for another seven years by adopting eastern medicine and religion. Lucas lived long enough to savor the success of his band, performed at the prestige Port Fairy Folk festival but died before the band could perform at the Apollo Bay festival. Now, the cream of the south west Victorian roots music scene are donating their services for the belated CD launch at the Old Collegians Football Club, Warrnambool, on Sunday. “Peter would have wanted his band to continue after his tragic passing,” former band mate and benefit organiser Wally Edney told Beat. “Larry Lawson has joined on bass for the gig and, hopefully, for other bookings that may eventuate. It’s also a benefit as Peter’s medical, ambulance and funeral costs need to be met. Peter had scaled down his work commitments because of his health and the need for quality time with his family. It’s now hoped the function will considerably help Sue and their daughters Sahr and Paije.” The function, starting at 2 p m, will feature two stages - accoustic and bands. Fellow roots music award winning singer Lee Morgan, former Blue Heat singer Marco Goldsmith, Peter Daffy, Richard Tankard and Duncan McKenzie perform on the accoustic stage. The bands’ stage will feature Zydeco Jump leader George Butrumlis & Friends, Lost In Suburbia, Slap N The Cats, Piffin Yonnies, the Warrnambool jazz ensemble and, of course, Hot Tamale Baby.
Musicians farewell a friend
Warrnambool Standard 12th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
WARRNAMBOOL'S music community came together at a gig yesterday to remember and farewell Peter Lucas, founding member of the band Hot Tamale Baby. More than 350 people visited the Old Collegians football clubrooms to hear Marco Goldsmith, Piffen Yonnies, Slap 'N' The Cats, Hot Tamale Baby and other performers sing in honor of one of the city's best-loved musicians.
Peter's wife and fellow Hot Tamale Baby member, Su Mellersh-Lucas, said yesterday she was impressed by the turnout. Many of the patrons had travelled from Melbourne for the day. "It's come together very easily. I had an army of people come forward. I've actually been forced to relax," Mrs Mellersh-Lucas said. "It's a tribute to the sort of person Pete was, that he could inspire this sort of recognition, and that's what a lot of people have been saying to me. He's here enjoying it, I'm sure. This is the sort of thing he loved. "Musicians are a very close-knit community and we're seeing it here this afternoon." Yesterday marked the launch of Hot Tamale Baby's self-titled CD, which Mrs Mellersh-Lucas said was focused on moving the band to the festival circuit. "This is very appropriate to launch it today, when all the people who are here are friends, so I know that they're probably behind the CD for other reasons." She was unable to predict the future of the band. "I haven't given it any thought, because Pete was the heart and soul of Hot Tamale Baby and without him it's very hard for me to make any decision," "It will take time, so in a way today is an important statement because it's a way for Hot Tamale Baby to say goodbye to Pete as well." Mr Lucas was 48 when he died of a heart attack last month, seven years after he was told by doctors a genetic heart condition meant he had only six months to live.
. . . (Report: TANYA DOOLAN. Picture: LEANNE GOURLEY)
Fitting farewell
Warrnambool Standard 15th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
WARRNAMBOOL said goodbye in style to one of its favorite musicians on Sunday at a farewell gig to Peter Lucas. It was a fitting tribute to the Woodford musician and teacher, featuring some of the region’s best talent, including Marco Goldsmith, Andy Alberts, Lee Morgan, Slap ’N’ The Cats and, of course, Hot Tamale Baby. Peter’s widow Sue Mellersh-Lucas, who put in a wonderful performance with the band founded by the couple, said she was delighted by the success of the gig. Around 350 friends, students and music lovers attended the afternoon. “It was an outstanding success — it was a real treat for Warrnambool to see so much local talent at one time.” She said she believed that Peter would have been there on Sunday watching the proceedings. “It was the sort of thing you couldn’t keep him away from.” Sue said in recognition of the community support she and her daughters had received, some of the money raised would go to district charities.
Sue Mellersh-Lucas, Peter Lucas, Brad Harrison, Mal "Knucky" Stewart, John Sycopolous
Twisted Logic
Twisted logic was the name of a Portland based band comprising Craig Rosier (lead vocal and guitar + eggs), Rene Melis (guitar, bass and vocals), Ian Chambers (guitar, mandolin, violin), and Glenn Fairweather (drums). In 2007 they released an album called "Hothouse full of weeds" which included the song "THE CAFE"
Bec Willis
Bec was born in Kingston (Southeast, South Australia), home of the big lobster, to Jim and Loretta Willis, fisherpeople. The Willis family moved to Ceduna, on the crossroads of the Great Australian Bight and the Nullarbor Plain. She does however have family in Warrnambool - her uncle Joe Willis was a member of legendary Warrnambool band
Her first release was self titled album in 2008 through Shock Records, produced by Kasey & Bill Chambers. It won an AIR Award for Best Independent Country Release at the 2008 AIR Awards. The songs on the album were all written by Bec and include ALCOHOL AND LONELINESS
Her first release was self titled album in 2008 through Shock Records, produced by Kasey & Bill Chambers. It won an AIR Award for Best Independent Country Release at the 2008 AIR Awards. The songs on the album were all written by Bec and include ALCOHOL AND LONELINESS
Monday, February 1, 2016
3WAY Live to air photos 31 Jan 2016
Jackson McLaren
Likely Celts
Louie and the Melways
Red Eagle
Red Eagle
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