Wagons

Johnny Cash's gritty growl and ZZ Top's raw edge anchor the music of Wagons, which channels the wandering country-rock spirit of the American South even though none of its members live in that region or anywhere in the United States. The Melbourne, Australia outfit originated as the vision of vocalist and composer Henry Wagons. Percussionists Mark "Tuckerbag" Dawson and Si "The Philanthropist" Francis, bassist Steve "Harmony" Hassett, and guitarist Richard Blazé round out the lineup, which fuses boisterous country-rock distortion with a theatrical vocal approach reminiscent of Nick Cave to shape a distinctive brand of country. Following years on the Melbourne pub circuit, the group issued its first album, Trying to Get Home, in 2002, then Draw Blood in 2004 and Curse of Lightning in 2007. Momentum built with the 2009 release Rise & Fall of Goodtown, which earned Age EG Awards for Best Group and Best Album. Rumble, Shake and Tumble arrived in 2011 and marked the band's introduction to American audiences.