Tex Perkins is arguably one of the hardest working people in Australian music, and a true survivor at that.
As a member of Beasts Of Bourbon, The Cruel Sea, Tex, Don and Charlie, The Fat Rubber Band and others, as well as a finger in the pies of the acting, writing and presenting worlds, Perkins has been working practically non-stop since the early '80s.Having had many guises over the years; from hard-drinking rocker, Johnny Cash in his 'The Man In Black' show, or member of a bonafide Australian super group, as well as simultaneously juggling family life and personal relationships, Perkins isn't going to be held back by the roadblocks of recent months.
The enigmatic singer-songwriter will be continuing his decades-long relationship with Australian music lovers when he appears at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art's 'Up Late' series (20 March) as Tex Perkins & Friends; an ensemble including Jez Mead, Lucie Thorne and Christian Pyle.
The latest edition of the popular series is part of GOMA's 'The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire' exhibition, which examines the ground-breaking designs that shaped one of the most iconic vehicles and features 100 of the greatest motorcycles ever assembled.
Included in the outdoor music celebration, which runs for two nights (19-20 March) at the Maiwar Green at South Bank, are local punks WAAX, rising indie singer-songwriter Tia Gostelow and Sunshine Coast rockabilly act The Hi-Boys who front the Friday action (plus DJs Black Amex, Lori Lee and Sweaty Baby).
The Saturday instalment features Tex alongside Indigenous rapper and musician JK-47, Brisbane punk, grunge outfit VOIID, and DJs Eamon Sandwith, Paolo and Patience Hodgson.
Throw in GOMA's top-notch bars and food service and you've got a veritable smorgasbord of delights.
Added to this, Perkins' year is looking as busy as ever, with appearances pencilled in at Byron Bay Bluesfest in early April and the Gympie Music Muster in late August, and a string of club shows lined up, among others.
But being a rock & roll survivor inevitably takes its toll and doesn't come without its scars.
The past couple of years have seen the loss of some of Perkins' closest friends in the music world, including the Beasts Of Bourbon's bassist Brian Henry Cooper and guitarist Spencer P. Jones, who both passed away from cancer at the ages of just 55 and 61, respectively, and put an end to the much-loved band forever.
Then came COVID, but, not one to stand still or take time out, Perkins put together 'The Show'; an online concert series recorded and staged not in the pubs and hotels of urban and rural Australia, but in a shed on his country New South Wales property.
With the help of family and friends offering expertise in equipment use and set-up, recording and editing, the series kept the ever-busy Perkins from getting restless before the re-introduction of the live music show towards the end of 2020.
Now, fresh from lockdown and with a number of shows with Matt Walker under his belt, including a recent show at Kings Beach Tavern on the Sunshine Coast which a scenestr reviewer described as 'ultra-solid', Perkins is back in the game. It's a timely return to a natural habitat for the Fender-toting guitar-slinger.
If quality rock & roll performed by one of Australia's most experienced and respected industry veterans in a moon-lit urban setting is your thing, this one can't be missed.
Catch Tex Perkins & Friends at GOMA's 'Up Late' (Brisbane) 20 March. Tex Perkins The Man In Black plays Bluesfest (Byron Bay) which runs 1-5 April. While Tex Perkins & The Fat Rubber Band play Gympie Music Muster (Sunshine Coast) which runs 26-29 August.
