Western Australia’s blues rock outfit The Southern River Band will release their new album Easier Said Than Done on 17th October, carrying the hallmark sounds of rock’n’roll via their high-energy repertoire. From blues-twang to energetic rock, it’s a nod to late ‘70s – think Thin Lizzy swagger with a dose of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aerosmith.
The Darkness front-man Justin Hawkins dubbed them a “proper f..ing rock band” after hearing their 2023 single Stan Qualen.
Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning is a massive fan and wrote their new single No Such Time. He offered the WA outfit a spot in his Byron Bay studio where they made the new album with Grammy-Award winning producer Nick DiDia [Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen].
Lead singer Cal Kramer [mullet and all] spoke to The Write Drop for our At the Bar series.
MY CITY
Thornlie – a South Eastern suburb in Perth, WA. Two pubs, a footy team, a soccer team, a bunch of good honest working-class people and bugger all else.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
The Seafood Paella that Clancy’s Fish Pub used to do, sadly it’s not an option anymore, but at a time in the early 00’s, you could demolish one of those and watch a great Blues band from Thursday to Sunday.
FAVOURITE BAR
Anywhere that serves a good negroni. It’s absolutely delicious; drink two of them and everyone is your friend for the next three hours.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
Espresso Martini. Fires you up, and if you order one it’s guaranteed to annoy at least a few people waiting at the bar.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Repeat the sins that landed you in this mess in the first place.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Cherry Bar, Melbourne. If you like listening to rock’n’roll music ‘til the sun comes up (which I do; very much so) then this is the place for you. Home to some of the best after parties Australia has to offer.
FAVOURITE WINE
Can I say whiskey? Can’t beat Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey for an everyday sip. Pat Smith -our bass player – likes wine. He says you can’t go wrong with a Barossa Cab Sav or a Langhe Nebbiolo from Northern Italy.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Green Door in the Ferguson Valley, South-West WA.
NEXT DESTINATION
A lap of Australia in October, followed by a lap of The UK and Europe in February.
https://www.thesouthernriverband.com
