1.Growing Up
Music was here and there in the background for me as a child. My dad could play the harmonica, but the power of music never struck me until I was about 12 years old and I saw Adam Ant on TV. The visceral tribal sound of his band at the time, particularly combined with his theatrical look, really spoke to me.
2.Inspirations
When I was 15, I discovered the album Rant N’ Rave With The Stray Cats by the Stray Cats. Their rockabilly sound was a big influence on me when I first picked up a bass and a guitar. I also love jazz – especially big band jazz and early rhythm and blues.
3.Your Band
Robert Taylor is renowned as one of the greatest finger-picking roots guitarists this side of the planet Mars, and he has a brilliant understanding of music. He loves everything from Chet Atkins and Scotty Moore through to blues and jump blues and Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. Dean Upston on bass loves everything from Hawaiian steel guitar to Tex-Mex and rockabilly, and he brings a wide variety of influences to the Sonic Aces. Bruce Dunlop on drums can play anything, I think. We’re very solid musically and I’m in awe of my band’s talent.
4.The Music You Make
Our new release The Road To Rhythm showcases our growth from straight ahead rockabilly to a more R&B-based entity, whereas our previous albums were full-tilt rockabilly for the most part. We’ve recorded at Charing Cross and Zen here in Sydney and at Tail Studios in Sweden. Live, we’re undoubtedly the most dynamic roots act Australia has ever seen: there’s a lot of movement and energy on that stage. We project that feeling to the audience; push that rhythm out to them.
5.Music, Right Here, Right Now
The music scene is sadly lacking those great venues like Bar Broadway and The Gaelic Club that used to cater to larger audiences. The culture has changed a lot due to political constraints on live music and “noise” and shows like The Voice or The X Factor. Years ago kids went out and caught live acts and supported the ones they liked: now they’re happy to be told by the TV who’s supposedly famous and don’t seek different, innovative or exciting acts for themselves. That’s very sad.
Wes Pudsey & The Sonic Aces play the Sydney Rock’n’Roll & Alternative Market, at Manning Bar on Sunday September 18.
