Backsliders are a three piece Australian blues based band. The current line up consists of guitarist/vocalist
Dom Turner
Dominic Turner is an Australian blues guitarist, vocalist and key songwriter for the Australian blues band '' The Backsliders''. Dom also has a number of solo projects including 'Dom Turner and Supro' and 'Dom Turner and the Nationals'. In 200 ...
and drummer/percussionist
Rob Hirst
Robert George Hirst (born 3 September 1955) is an Australian musician from Camden, New South Wales. He is a founding member of rock band Midnight Oil on drums, percussion and backing vocals (sometimes lead vocals) from the 1970s until the band ...
joined on alternating nights by either
Brod Smith, Ian Collard or Joe Glover on harmonica.
History
1986-2010: Formation
In the early 1980s, Dom Turner and harmonica player Rex Hill began gigging around Sydney as an acoustic blues duo. After returning from the United States in 1986, enthused by the idea of blurring the lines between rural and urban blues, Dom began rehearsing a new rural blues band concept with drummer Peter Burgess in duo mode, which moved to the inclusion of Rex Hill on harmonica. The sound drew inspiration from the Mississippi Fred McDowell records where Fred was accompanied by a drummer, or a rural blues version of the sound Beausoleil achieved without bass guitar. The name 'Backsliders' came from a Library of Congress recording of Lead Belly singing "Backslider Fare you Well".
After a short stint of rehearsals, and a run of early local gigs, the newly formed band was offered a live performance at the Sydney Town Hall for radio station 2MBS FM (host to Stormy Monday blues Program) by blues DJ Austin Harrison scheduled for August 1987. The band played in duo mode (Dom and Peter) and directly after the performance was approached by the station label manager with an offer of an album release to be the first blues album on the 2MBS FM music label. The debut album ''Preaching Blues'' was released in 1988. The band continued to gig locally in Sydney, particularly around the Balmain/Rozelle area of Sydney including a residency at the Bridge Hotel, Rozelle. In 1989 Rex Hill resigned from the band.
As both Dom and Pete were fans of Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Jim Conway was contacted as replacement for Rex. Jim agreed to join on harmonica (Jim had filled in for a Rex at a number of gigs in late 1988). A follow up album ''Sitting on a Million'' was recorded and released in 1989 and the band quickly moved onto the Australian music festival circuit beginning with the Port Fairy Folk Festival, The East Coast Blues Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival as well as touring Australia, in particular travelling to Melbourne and regional Victoria as a strong live blues music circuit had developed in that region of Australia.
Throughout the 1990s the band continued on the touring circuit as well as playing a number of residency gigs in Sydney, including the Rose Shamrock and Thistle Hotel in Rozelle. The band also took advantage of the various television opportunities available to independent music acts in the 1990s, performing live on a variety of daytime and evening news and variety programs.
After meeting at a 1996 recording session Dom became friends with drummer
Rob Hirst
Robert George Hirst (born 3 September 1955) is an Australian musician from Camden, New South Wales. He is a founding member of rock band Midnight Oil on drums, percussion and backing vocals (sometimes lead vocals) from the 1970s until the band ...
and was asked to join Backsliders. A very brief rehearsal followed and Rob and agreed officially joining in 2000, however with the understanding that there were to be some upcoming
Midnight Oil commitments. Drummers Angus Diggs and Ashley Davies filled the drum role during Rob's occasional absences, however with the disbandment of Midnight Oil in 2002, Rob was able to focus on touring, writing and playing with Backsliders. In 2000, drummer Peter Burgess resigned.
In 2006, Jim Conway resigned from the group. Broderick Smith (Dingoes, Big Combo) and Ian Collard (Collard Greens and Gravy) took the harmonica role at alternate gigs. In 2010, Joe Glover (Shelley's Murder Boys) added to the harmonica team.
2011-present:
At the
ARIA Music Awards of 2011
The 25th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) were a series of award ceremonies which included the 2011 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fin ...
, was nominated for
ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album
The ARIA Music Award for Best Blues and Roots Album, is an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards, which recognises "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", since 1987. It is handed out by the Australian Recor ...
Their 2020 album, ''Bonecrunch'', was described by the ''
Sydney Morning Herald'' as "in the hands of these vets the blues element isn’t staid, but is led down different, swampy paths to create something new and, indeed, hopeful."
Discography
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilation albums
Extended plays
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards
The
ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of
Australian music. They commenced in 1987.
!
, -
,
ARIA Music Awards of 1999
The 13th Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as the ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAS) was held on 12 October 1999 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Hosted by Paul McDermott and Bob Downe, and present ...
, ''Poverty Deluxe''
,
ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album
The ARIA Music Award for Best Blues and Roots Album, is an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards, which recognises "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", since 1987. It is handed out by the Australian Recor ...
,
, rowspan="3",
[ARIA Award previous winners. ]
, -
,
ARIA Music Awards of 2002
The 16th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) were held on 15 October 2002 at the Sydney SuperDome.
Awards
ARIA Awards
''Winners highlighted in bold with nomi ...
, ''Hanoi''
, Best Blues and Roots Album
,
, -
,
ARIA Music Awards of 2011
The 25th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) were a series of award ceremonies which included the 2011 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fin ...
, ''Starvation Box''
, Best Blues and Roots Album
,
, -
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Backsliders
Australian folk music groups
Australian indie rock groups