Mildura’s explosive rock ‘n roll duo, Jackson Firebird, have returned to Australia to play a run of shows around the country in March and April.
After release of their 2012 album Cock Rockin’ , the two-piece spent time touring throughout Europe and Brazil playing club shows and festivals last year. Now, Jackson Firebird are all fired up to hit the ground running in 2015 with their Bang The Mohican Tour across the Australian east coast and Adelaide.
Previously, the band has earned their touring stripes alongside You Am I, King Cannons, Snowdroppers, Little Birdy and the Fumes. Two killer visits to Byron’s prestigious Bluesfest sealed their fans, as well as venturing to the UK to tour, including a performance at the Great Escape.
Having recently been hanging around the rock-drenched town of Austin, Texas, recording their second Album with Producer Chris ‘Frenchie’ Smith (Darkness, Dandy Warhols, Datsun’s, and more). To kick off the year, the boys are keen to get out there to salute their loyal Aussie fans, while road testing some new tracks before the album is released later in 2015. To celebrate the killer tour, Brendan Harvey (Guitar and Vocals) gave us a run down on some of the records that changed his life.
Steve Earl – Copper Head Road
1988, MCA
“Now this is an album that just came into my life at the right time, I was around 10 years of old living in Mildura and I wasn’t exposed to a lot of music besides what you heard on the air waves. I remember hearing Johnny Diesel and the Injectors on the radio or being pushed on TV l think, but it gave me a good vibe and I was sold.
So I think it was my tenth Birthday all I asked for was the Injectors album but when the day came I was given a cassette and BOOM! It was Steve Earl Copper Head Road. For a minute I was like ‘what the fuck?’, but with such a bad ass cover I was intrigued. As soon as that tape hit the deck it was hooked, The dirty ruff bad ass sound of that tape at the age of ten was so good to my ears with tracks like ‘Snake Oil’ and ‘Copper Head Road’ I think it’s where my love of a good old rock’n roll riff comes from. So I have to thank whatever took place in that little music store in Mildura that made my parents come home with that tape.”
Guns n Roses – Appetite for Destruction
1987, Geffen
“Now this is an album that hits home with me. With this being my favourite album of all time and in my books one of the toughest album to ever be released!
I got a hold of this bad boy whilst skating at a mates house and his older brother was pumping this out of the shed whilst we road there halfpipe. With the riffs and language that I was hearing I had to get a hold of it. I had already started to try and play guitar and this was the fuel I needed to feed my craving. Appetite has it all mad riffs, mean solos and Axles vocals were out of this world (such a bummer he went the way he did haha). I still give this album a good pump regularly and it’s one that will never fade!”
Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power
1992, Atco
“Vulgar Display of Power is such a force to be reckoning with, the tracks are so hard and full of the sickest riffs it was an album for me that I drilled into my brain. I was deep into guitar and by the time I got this album learning all the riffs was so much fun and a priority in my life (l left the solo work to Dimebag of course).
This was an album that taught me that riffs can be quite simple but have max impact, such as the main riff in Walk. This is definitely one hell of an album for a road trip!”
The EasyBeats – The Best of The Easybeats
1967, Albert Productions
“The coolest Australian rock n roll band has got be The Easybeats (The god fathers of Aussie Rock).
With such good vibes in all the tracks on this album and rad guitar solos this album rules. I got right into these guys and a lot of other older Aussie rock when I was at the end of my high school days.
It’s far from Pantera but these guys really got me into good vibes and groovy guitar leads. The harmonies in this album are awesome when I listen to this album these days I just sing the backup vocals! I dare you to give it a go.”
John Spencer Blues Explosion – ACME
1998, Matador/Capitol
“Now this is an album full of rock n roll mixed with dirty rock samples and cool beats. The blend of mixing, sampling and live tracking is such a great mix in this album.
I have really cherished it as one in my top ten as I don’t think I go a weekend without throwing it on. I have been a big fan of The Blues Explosion ever since I saw them on Recovery one Saturday morning. (We need another show like that!!) These guys do have the Flavour and can lift the vibe when listening to any of their records but this one takes the cake for me. Let’s Have A Party!”
The Black Keys – Big Come Up
2002, Alive
“This album is just so good in every aspect. The way the Keys recorded the tracks on this album are so raw and have such a lively sound. With a lot of the tracks being revamped from old blues songs they have done it in such a way that they have made them their own.
The Black Keys have always put out such strong tracks I feel these first ones which are manly covers are a true testament to how good of musician they are. For a guitarist you can’t go past a these tracks without wanting to learn them. This record really showed me that a two piece can really fill a sound as a full band without needing a lot of instruments. It sounds the best on vinyl!”
Australian Tour
Sat 14 Mar, The Workers Club | Melbourne
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au or 1300 762 545
Fri 20 Mar, Pirie & Co. Social Club | Adelaide
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 GET TIX
Wed 25 Mar, Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice | Sydney
Free Show
Thur 26 Mar, Moonshine Cider & Rum Bar | Manly
Free Show
Fri 10 Apr, The Northern | Byron Bay
Free Show
Sat 11 Apr, Beetle Bar | Brisbane
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au or 1300 762 545
