The Bushwackers

The Bushwackers demonstrate that Australian music encompasses far more than the Bee Gees' hook-laden pop tunes or Men at Work's quasi-new wave sound. Emerging from early-'70s jam sessions at La Trobe University's campus folk club, the ensemble has long sustained an aggressive, highly spirited fusion of rock with Australia's folk traditions. Initially formed as a trio comprising Jan Wositsky on vocals, harmonica, banjo, bass and assorted traditional bush percussion instruments, Dave Isom handling guitar, vocals and mandolin, and Bert Kahanoff on largerphone, the Bushwackers quickly drew large crowds to their initial Melbourne appearances. Their audience expanded further after a 1973 tour of New Zealand. Back home, enthusiastic fans regularly packed the Dan O'Connell Hotel in Fitzroy for the group's Friday-night residencies that ran from 1977 through 1980. Their debut single, "When the Rain Tumbles Down in July," appeared in 1973. The following year brought the release of their first album, A Shearer's Dream, which ascended to the top position on the British folk charts and prompted the band's inaugural tour of the United Kingdom. While overseas, the Bushwackers formed friendships with leading folk acts including the Chieftains, the Dubliners, Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. Momentum persisted through the late '70s and early '80s, during which time the group issued ten albums whose tracks also featured on numerous film and television soundtracks. In 1984 the members declared their disbandment, citing "the costs of keeping the band on the road and the desire to spend more time with families." They nevertheless reconvened each year for reunion tours that continued until 1990. Late in 1993, Roger Corbett, who had joined on bass, mandolin, harmonica and vocals in 1980, and Dobe Newton, a member since 1973 performing on largerphone, whistle, bodhran, bones, spoons and vocals, revived the project. Although they first operated under the name the Range Rovers, the musicians reverted to the Bushwackers moniker once they secured a publishing deal with Warner Chappell and a recording contract with ABC/EMI. The present configuration includes Mark Oates on fiddle, Pete Drummond on drums, Tim Gaze on guitar and Pamela Drysdale on accordion, guitar and vocals.