Lowdown | 7.30pm

Lowdown are: Adam “Careless” Norton. Adam started playing harp in 1990 after hearing “Moaning at midnight” by Howlin’ Wolf. He quickly joined bands playing pubs clubs and festivals throughout the UK.  Adam has shared the stage with such acts as Dr. Feelgood, The Block Heads, Otis Grand and was recorded by the BBC with Bad Town Blues a UK Chicago style band. Adam likes and uses Astatic microphones. He uses them through Fender Super Reverb and Vibrolux amplifiers for live performance and an old Fender Champ for recording. Adam was named “Careless Norton” by “Chigwell Fats” a famous East London pianist.
Laurence “The Sheik” Petre Allen. Legend alleges he progressed from a tennis racquet to guitar while at school. Rumours say that there were mythical garage bands with school mates. Interest in guitars and blues music grew, encouraged by the good intentions of an Uncle. This eventually led to the formation of the bands Blueprint, and The Blues Syndicate. Laurence joined Nacho Mamaz Blues Band founded by Californian “Abracadabra” Mark Alderman. The moniker of “The Sheik” was bestowed on Laurence in that line up, which made one studio recording and performed at the National blues festival in Lithgow NSW. Aswell as Bridgetown International Blues Festival in WA. The Tone Doctors were founded with “Panama” Harry Heslin. The band was a prescription for a good time for 15 years. Past Tone Doctors are Alex “Shuffle King” Meloni, Hank Deberitz, Big Al Field, Geoff Bushby, Andrew “Ripper” Armitage, Stuart Braid and too many drummers… After disbanding The Tone Doctors and taking time away from the blues scene, including a spell overseas. A return home to Perth where Tommy “The Boss” Bosson introduced Laurence and Adam “Careless” Norton. Now we have – please imagine if you will a drum roll and cymbal crash – The Lowdown.
Andrew “Ripper” Armitage. Andrew was born and raised in England where he developed a taste for blues music at an early age. As a teen he studied classical piano and guitar for several years. Having migrated to Western Australia after getting married and assisting the Police in a high profile murder case he started playing bass guitar with a number of blues bands. Andrew is currently working with The Lowdown making great blues music, where authentic traditions and contemporary material go hand in hand to create high energy dance blues of all types. And in this blues he has found his happy place.
Grant “Big G” Hills.Grant is the driving force behind the beat of “The Lowdown”. Infusing each performance with his well-developed swing and shuffle beats that set the stage on fire. Hailing from New Zealand, Grant’s musical journey began at a young age, inspired by the legendary blues artists of his homeland, including The Willy Dyson Blues Band, Hammond Gamble, and Midge Marsden. Grant played with several blues rock bands, before moving to Perth, where he played with several local blues and swing bands, such as ‘The Freight Hoppers’ and ‘The Swinging Brass Razzos’. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of influences, Grant counts Christopher Layton, Fred Below, Sam Lay, Bernard Purdie and Marty Dodson among his strongest drumming influences today. Their unique styles have shaped Grant’s approach to the drums, infusing his playing with depth, nuance, and raw emotion. Grant brings a powerful energy to the stage, driving the band forward and igniting the passion of audiences everywhere. Join us as we groove to the infectious rhythms of Grant ’Big G’ Hills and experience the soulful magic of the blues.
“Panama” Harry Heslin . Harry first got into blues as a 14 year old seeing Chuck Berry as his first concert. After buying Chuck Berry’s Golden Decade 1955-1965 Harry discovered Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and other greats who recorded for the fabulous Chess Records. From there it was guitars guitars guitars! Harry played in a couple of bands in the 70’s and in the 80’s played with Fat Harry And The Blue Whales in London. In Perth Harry has played in Resonator, The Tone Doctors, Indigo Duck and The Swing Daddies mainly playing electric and upright bass. Harry is currently playing a variety of guitars and singing in “The Lowdown”.

Whiskey Nips | 9.00pm

Like a good nip of whiskey, the blues needs to be drank – it’s been bottled up for years and now the shots are on us! If you like a good shot of blues, then you will not be disappointed. The Whiskey Nips are a 5-piece band with a reputation for amazing audiences with their high energy swinging soulful blues.
Fronting the band is Kirsty Finn and her heartfelt raw vocals which are complimented by Andrew Pring (aka Blew Drew) on harmonica and slide guitar. Daniel Wiggins, who is one of WA’s rising stars on guitar, holds down rhythm and lead duties while the band is driven by a solid rhythm section, bassist Jonathan Redmond and on the drums Adrien Giraud.