Hip Shot Blues Band

Hipshot Blues formed amidst the grunge-soaked 1990’s when teenagers Matt Willis and Henry Bird discovered they shared a passion for the cleaner, blues sounds of a by-gone era.With the addition of bass player Glen Board and harmonica man Andrew Flook, the band quickly became favourites on Warrnambool’s widely respected blues scene. Hipshot rode the wave of popularity created by the Warrnambool Blues Club, promoter and raconteur Wally Edney and bands such as Mudcats, Hot Tamale Baby and Blue Heat.As “the youngest working blues band in Australia” the group enjoyed the culture among the local band scene that encouraged jamming and guesting at each others shows. The Criterion Hotel became home base for Hipshot Blues during the early 90’s with countless shows including highlight supports with national touring acts Bondi Cigars and D.I.G.
In 1994 the four piece recorded an original song for The Real Australian Blues CD Vol. 2 and followed up with shows at marquee Melbourne venues The Palace and Saint Kilda’s Esplanade Hotel.After disbanding in '95 Willis and Board continued on together with stella Melbourne act Howlin’ Time and were joined again by Bird and fellow South West bluesman John Hudson in Bertha’s New Shoes and instrumental band Doug. Andrew Flook was sought after to lend his experience to young roots musician Luke Watt among others. Upon returning to Warrnambool from a grueling stint on Melbourne’s live music circuit Willis and Bird teamed up again, most notably in Piffen Yonnies.All original members were on stage to help raise money for the Blues For Peace fund raising event at The Loft on Friday 27th May 2016.