Mick Hadley and the Others East Coast Tour Sydney March 19 - Melb March 20 and Brisbane March 27.
Here is a review of the concert at Notes in Newtown, Sydney
Saturday, October 9, 2009
Words & Pictures: THE BARMAN
If you have been paying attention you'll know Mick as frontman for the legendary early '60s R & B movers the Purple Hearts.Sat. Oct 10 2009
THE STEMS
MICK HADLEY & THE OTHERS
Purple Hearts,Sat. Oct 10 2009
THE STEMS
MICK HADLEY & THE OTHERS
who would be noteworthy enough if they were only a nursery for Australia's first guitar god Lobby Loyde. The Purps' role in the annals goes beyond that, as they built a bridge between what was musically happening overseas and here and giving us the classic "Of Hopes And Dreams And Tombstones" 45. Tonight gives most people their first glimpse of Mr Hadley, up close and personal.
And he grabs the big crowd's attention from the outset. The set's covers (that's what the Purple Hearts played) but "Tiger In Your Tank", "Gloria" and "Early In The Morning" were songs that Hadley's old band owned and he's determined to prove possession is still nine-tenths of the law.
You can accord him respect for being one of Australia's original blues shouters but you should give him much more for still being able to deliver. At 66 (his precise age was a subject of debate so I checked) Hadley has the dynamism of a frontman a third his age with a voice that's weathered remarkably well.
Is is nostalgia if we weren't there to experience it the first time? If the intention was to take us to the Thumpin' Tum or some dank mid-60s nightclub-cum-dungeon then Mick Hadley & The Others did the job. More likely it was just to deliver a good show, and ditto on that count.
A word on The Others themselves: With little time to rehearse they did a brilliant job and there's a good case that someone's undoubtedly already made for them to team with Mr Hadley on select future engagements. Mick Hadley & the Others were the act of the night.
By the time the headliners surge on-stage, the room is well packed, marking this new venue's first sell-out. How many times can you say that about Sydney rock rooms?
Mick's band - The Atomic Boogie Band
The Atomic Boogie Band are a high energy outfit with players of the highest standard of professionalism and showmanship including:
Craig Claxton Lead Guitar and Vocals.
Glen Muirhead - Keyboards.
Kevin Howard - Bass guitar and
Keith Megson- Drums
Watch this space for future gigs.
A new CD has just been released and is available at gigs. The CD is called The Right Direction and explodes with 9 boogie tracks. Check it out.
MICK HADLEY & THE ATOMIC BOOGIE BAND The Right Direction (Independent)
Sincere, swinging blues from Brisbane's own pioneer,
Originally from London, singer and guitarist Mick Hadley is a Brisbane music icon. His band The Purple Hearts were pioneers of loud, tough blues in the sixties when the Australian music charts were firmly focused on Beatles-style pop. It's fitting then, that The Right Direction still holds all the swagger of a younger man's record, with a charismatic grit only earned after decades of hard touring. Creatively, the songs wring every last ounce of worth from a gamut of blues conventions: using them as a vehicle for inspired, soulful performances that speak highly of each band member's musical accomplishment. The colourful production too, does much to highlight their chops, while lending a comfortable, DIY feel to the proceedings. JAKEB SMITH-Rave Magazine.
In 2001, Mick was awarded the Centenary medal for his contribution to Australian Music.
Here is a review of the concert at Notes in Newtown, Sydney
Saturday, October 9, 2009
Words & Pictures: THE BARMAN
If you have been paying attention you'll know Mick as frontman for the legendary early '60s R & B movers the Purple Hearts.Sat. Oct 10 2009
THE STEMS
MICK HADLEY & THE OTHERS
Purple Hearts,Sat. Oct 10 2009
THE STEMS
MICK HADLEY & THE OTHERS
who would be noteworthy enough if they were only a nursery for Australia's first guitar god Lobby Loyde. The Purps' role in the annals goes beyond that, as they built a bridge between what was musically happening overseas and here and giving us the classic "Of Hopes And Dreams And Tombstones" 45. Tonight gives most people their first glimpse of Mr Hadley, up close and personal.
And he grabs the big crowd's attention from the outset. The set's covers (that's what the Purple Hearts played) but "Tiger In Your Tank", "Gloria" and "Early In The Morning" were songs that Hadley's old band owned and he's determined to prove possession is still nine-tenths of the law.
You can accord him respect for being one of Australia's original blues shouters but you should give him much more for still being able to deliver. At 66 (his precise age was a subject of debate so I checked) Hadley has the dynamism of a frontman a third his age with a voice that's weathered remarkably well.
Is is nostalgia if we weren't there to experience it the first time? If the intention was to take us to the Thumpin' Tum or some dank mid-60s nightclub-cum-dungeon then Mick Hadley & The Others did the job. More likely it was just to deliver a good show, and ditto on that count.
A word on The Others themselves: With little time to rehearse they did a brilliant job and there's a good case that someone's undoubtedly already made for them to team with Mr Hadley on select future engagements. Mick Hadley & the Others were the act of the night.
By the time the headliners surge on-stage, the room is well packed, marking this new venue's first sell-out. How many times can you say that about Sydney rock rooms?
Mick's band - The Atomic Boogie Band
The Atomic Boogie Band are a high energy outfit with players of the highest standard of professionalism and showmanship including:
Craig Claxton Lead Guitar and Vocals.
Glen Muirhead - Keyboards.
Kevin Howard - Bass guitar and
Keith Megson- Drums
Watch this space for future gigs.
A new CD has just been released and is available at gigs. The CD is called The Right Direction and explodes with 9 boogie tracks. Check it out.
MICK HADLEY & THE ATOMIC BOOGIE BAND The Right Direction (Independent)
Sincere, swinging blues from Brisbane's own pioneer,
Originally from London, singer and guitarist Mick Hadley is a Brisbane music icon. His band The Purple Hearts were pioneers of loud, tough blues in the sixties when the Australian music charts were firmly focused on Beatles-style pop. It's fitting then, that The Right Direction still holds all the swagger of a younger man's record, with a charismatic grit only earned after decades of hard touring. Creatively, the songs wring every last ounce of worth from a gamut of blues conventions: using them as a vehicle for inspired, soulful performances that speak highly of each band member's musical accomplishment. The colourful production too, does much to highlight their chops, while lending a comfortable, DIY feel to the proceedings. JAKEB SMITH-Rave Magazine.
In 2001, Mick was awarded the Centenary medal for his contribution to Australian Music.
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Mick Hadley - lead vocals for The Purple Hearts, The Coloured Balls - Brisbane, The Atomic Boogie Band, The Shakers, Mick Hadley's Last Shout and a few more. Check for the latest Hearts and Atomic Boogie gigs - plus Australian R&B history - plus memorabilia - plus much more