Tim Freedman has revisited his Whitlams' 1999 protest song 'Blow Up The Pokies' with his alt-country line-up – The Whitlams Black Stump Band.
The new rendition was brought to life when the Wesley Mission contacted Freedman earlier this year; they were after a reworking of the song that could be used as the soundtrack to their poignant 'Gutful of Gambling' TV ad (scroll down to watch the advertisement)."Our alt-country line-up The Whitlams Black Stump Band – Terepai and myself, with three great country musicians, have reinvented the best of The Whitlams as roots music," Tim says, "and this recording is driven by banjo and pedal steel with a shift from the original waltz into 4/4."
The Whitlams Black Stump Band find Tim joined by long-time drummer Terepai Richmond and an A-Team of roots musicians, namely two CMAA Producers of the Year, Rod McCormack and Matt Fell, on banjo and bass respectively, and young gun Ollie Thorpe on electric and pedal steel guitar.
Born from a week of recording in mid 2021 with sessions that veered from campfire intimacy to rollicking country rock, the band reconstructed the best of The Whitlams' repertoire with a smattering of new songs and some classic Americana from Kris Kritstofferson to Neil Young.
Earlier 2022 single 'The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw' became a staple on country radio through the winter.
After making their live debut at Tamworth Country Music Festival this year, The Whitlams Black Stump Band tour regionally throughout November and December. They'll visit the big smoke in 2023 with a seven-date run in March.
Tickets to 2023 shows on sale from 9 November.
The Whitlams Black Stump Band 2023 Tour Dates
Fri 17 Mar - Lizotte's (Newcastle)Sat 18 Mar - Adelaide Fringe
Fri 24 Mar - Thornbury Theatre (Melbourne)
Sat 25 Mar - Memo Music Hall (Melbourne)
Sun 26 Mar - Archies Creek Hotel (VIC)
Fri 31 Mar - Factory Theatre (Sydney)
Sat 1 Apr - Princess Theatre (Brisbane)
The Whitlams Black Stump Band 2022 Regional Tour Dates
Tue 15 Nov - Piano Bar (Ballarat)Wed 16 Nov - Piano Bar (Bendigo)* sold out
Thu 17 Nov - Piano Bar (Geelong)
Fri 18 Nov - Arts Centre (Warburton)
Sat 19 Nov - The Memo (Healesville)
Fri 25 Nov - Avalon Beach RSL (Sydney)
Sat 26 Nov - Avoca Beach Theatre (Central Coast)
Thu 1 Dec - Royal Oak Hotel (Launceston)
Fri 2 Dec - LongHouse (Hobart)
Sat 3 Dec - Palais Theatre (Franklin)* sold out
Fri 20 Jan - Capitol Theatre (Tamworth)
