The Tank rolls on

Warrnambool Standard 16th Aug.  2001 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2001 All rights reserved

Musician Richard Tankard ponders another dilemma — where to play now there is no Bay? 

RICHARD Tankard has a dilemma. But for the talented Warrnambool muso, it’s not in the literal sense of the word. Fortunately for him, he doesn’t have to make a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives — rather, Tankard is managing to make the most of several enticing opportunities. This is where the dilemma comes in — it’s the title he’s giving to a new live line-up and a solo album currently in production: The Tankard Dilemma. They’re among many musical projects the former member of R and B outfit Blue Heat presently has a hand in. Others include recording music for a Things of Stone and Wood album and a planned tour with the band in the new year. Tankard first gained prominence in Blue Heat, an award-winning seven-piece outfit which was joined on stage at times by the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, Kevin Borich, Marcia Howard and Justin Brady. The group’s final gig was support to BB King. Since the demise of Blue Heat, Tankard has moonlighted with various artists, joining Shane Howard, Andy Alberts, Oriel Glennen, Hot Tamale Baby and Overnite Jones on stage and CD. Throughout this time Tankard has continued to front his own line-ups of transient musicians. The Richard Tankard Dilemma — also know as The Tank Dilemma — is the latest in the string of such combos, following on from and extending the popular Guy Smilie Trio. Tankard will introduce the Dilemma with back-to-back gigs at Warrnambool pubs this weekend. The band for the first shows will be Jon Emry on drums, Rueben Shannon on bass, Matt Hewson on sax and Brad Harrsion on tenor sax. Tankard said he was particularly pleased to include Harrison, a former co-member of Blue Heat in the line-up. “Getting Brad involved has been a real shot in the arm, he’s such a talented sax player. To get him and Matt Hewson playing together will be awesome,” Tankard said. Tankard has his eyes on other local talented musicians and he’s hoping the line-up will be a revolving one, allowing for the availability of performers. “It offers me a way to pool musical resources that I have. To pull these people together depending on who is available at the time,” Tankard said. The Tank Dilemma plays the Seanchai Irish Pub on Saturday night and the Hotel Warrnambool on Sunday afternoon. Tankard’s solo CD of the same name is expected to be released by the end of the year.