Henry Wagons - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Steve 'Harmony' Hassett - Bass, Backing Vocals
Richard Blaze - Lead Guitar
Mark 'Tuckerbag' Dawson - Drums, Percussion
Si the Philanthropist - Washboard, Drums
Matty 'Soft Moods' Hassett - Keyboards
Johnny Cash, Scott Walker, Silver Jews, Bruce Samazan, Cormac McCarthy, Haruki Murakami, early Rod Stewart, Skyhooks, Adam Green, Divine Comedy, The Boss, Bert Newton.
A modern-day classic and a throwback to karmic country's golden era, The Curse of Lightning by Wagons dares to incorporate influences as grand and wildly diverse as Johnny Cash, Scott Walker, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Cormac McCarthy, Haruki Marukami, Rod Stewart and Skyhooks.
The Wagons canon is now a trilogy of bold storytelling. The Curse of Lightning goes further than its predecessors, Trying to Get Home (2002) and Draw Blood (2004), adorning its vivid tales in sweeping, Rick Rubinesque production.
The Curse of Lightning reveals Henry Wagons to be a meta-thinker with a propensity to dip his pen into the primordial swamp of the collective unconscious, and a lyrical preoccupation with fate, and the sweet or cruel blows it deals to the common man. The characters in these ten darkly poetic songs walk through a world wrought with emotion and sinister romance. Epic, progressive country of the highest order!
From their home base in Melbourne, Wagons have thrilled and occasionally bamboozled audiences around the country, touring with the likes of Calexico, Cat Power, The Handsome Family and M Ward. A formidable live band, led by the mysterious, slightly ominous Henry, with sublime harmonies courtesy of bassist Steve "Harmony Hassett", expert guitar licks by Richard Blaze, taut rhythms from drummer Mark "Tuckerbag" Dawson and washboard master / percussionist Si "The Philanthropist" Francis, and new member Matt "Softmoods" Hassett providing a tender touch on the keys and the odd lilting third harmony part.
Henry has recently become a regular television presenter on ABC2's music program DIG, hosted by James Reyne and Tracee Hutchison. His segment involves bursting into people's homes and berating them about their record collection; a reporting style which carries echoes of the drama and confrontation that imbues many a Wagons gig.
The Curse Of Lightning is out now on Spunk/EMI.
Rolling Stone Review (Dec, 2007)
NOW ALSO AVAILABLE
Wagons previous dark-country goldmine
DRAW BLOOD (2004) re-releasd on Unstable Ape
It is safe to say that Wagons put on a country show like no other. Inspired by the darkest aspects of traditional country music, it is not uncommon to see these Melbourne boys grapple with death, lust, lost love and the withering effects of time all in the course of one song. Yet, on occasion, the band is also capable of expressing songs with the deepest sentiment. Lead by the booming baritone of lead singer Henry Wagons, the live six-piece show is an extravaganza of a kind not expected from the country genre. In between the bursts of their beautiful vocal harmony laden tunes, Henry provides a unique commentary which regularly delights, and sometimes confuses his audience. Come and see this highly distinctive show for yourself.
Incubator Recording myspace discount for "Rocktober"! Book now for flat rate at Incubator during the month of "Roctober"(October) only. The offer: $300 for a 9 hour recording day. Monday thru Sunday not transferable to other months.This is a saving of up to $140 per day. This is a myspace Incubator friends only offer. New studio photos just updated, come see inside the Incubator and look at the creative working spaces, the stomp boxes, microphones and instuments. Visible at the website www. incubatorstudio. com. au Call Adrian, the Engineer at Incubator, to book your recording project in the month of "Rocktober". To get the discount Phone 9480-1211 mention the myspace "Incubator Roctober offer".
The legendary musical hero, Horatio Lee Jenkins, brought us such inspirational masterpieces as "DRUNKER THAN SATAN", "OH SH!T I DON'T FEEL SO GOOD", and "GIRL, THIS BED IS TOO BIG WITHOUT ALL 12 OF YOU".
Horatio, the WORLD'S MOST POTENT HETEROSEXUAL, now brings us a new uplifting anthem of hope, acceptance, and unconditional Christian love:
Rock'n'Roll Hell Yeah from Germanys finest Punk, Ska, Billy and Swing Label! We love to be your friend! Out at September 19th: SARAH BLACKWOOD – Way back Home CD!!! Finest Accoustic/Alt-Country/Americana/Songwriter Stuff from the Singer of THE CREEPSHOW. On Tour: 01.10.08 DE Straubing Tiefenrausch 02.10.08 AT Aigen-Vogelhub Wildside Café 03.10.08 AT Großpetersdorf Bar Akira 04.10.08 CZ Zdar nad Sazavou Kulturni Centrum Batyskaf 05.10.08 AT Timelkam Shellac 06.10.08 DE Chemnitz Subway to Peter 07.10.08 DE Heilbronn Stereo Total 08.10.08 FR Sélestat Bar le Tigre 09.10.08 DE Dortmund FZW 10.10.08 DE Berlin Wild at Heart 11.10.08 DE Essen Soul Hellcafé 15.10.08 DE Paderborn Taubenschlag
Rock'n'Roll Hell Yeah from Germanys finest Punk, Ska, Billy and Swing Label! We love to be your friend! Out at September 26th: JOHNNY ROCKET – Pain is her game CD Punk-A-Billy in the spirit of BONES, DEMENTED ARE GO and TURBO AC’S! available at www. wolverine-records. de
Hey, I loved your gig at Ding Dong on Saturday. It was probably the best local show I've been to. You will most definatly see me at your next show. Catchya's Bel.
Geh... we have been listening to the samples album lots and lots in the van. It's so good. I need to get my hands on one. First track is genius. Wish I could have come to Ding Dong last night.
Hey Henry! My names Sam Mitchell, and I'm the son of pedal steel player Brendan Mitchell, who plays in Matt Joe Gow & The Dead Leaves. I do a bit of filming, and was wondering if I could film the band this Saturday at Ding Dong. I'll be there either way, and can't wait for an awesome show! Take care, and keep up the great music. Cheers Samuel
P.s. here's a little sample of a gig I did for Matt a few months back
