The Casanovas

Formed in 1999, the Australian hard rock band the Casanovas united brothers Tommy, who handled vocals and guitar, and Patrick Boyce on drums, alongside bassist Jimmy Lewis, whose tastes spanned Kiss, the Dictators, the Rolling Stones, Turbonegro, and AC/DC. The group quickly moved from rehearsals to supporting slots with established acts including Powder Monkeys, the Monarchs, and the White Stripes during the latter’s initial Australian tour, all in and around Melbourne. Within a couple of years the Casanovas issued their debut single “10 Outta 10,” recruited second guitarist James Saunders, and appeared at the Big Day Out Festival. After Saunders exited in 2002, the band enlisted producer Shane O’Mara for the EP Keep It Hot and then toured Australia plus dates in the U.K. and at SXSW in Austin, Texas, now fronted by vocalist and bassist Damo Campbell, formerly of Mustang. Back home, with growing international attention, they began work on their self-titled debut album, delivering a strong set of ’70s-inspired hard rock even after Patrick Boyce dropped out mid-process and was replaced by Jaws Stanley. Further global touring ensued, and in 2005 the group reached Los Angeles to track their still-unreleased follow-up with producer Sylvia Massy Shivy, known for work with Tool, Econoline Crush, and Dishwalla.