The PERTH BLUES CLUB presents

Hope River Road + Lauralee Faith and The Fat Wallet Blues Band

Hope River Road | 7.30pm

Hope River Road winds through the country blues tradition, with a rocking beat and sublime vocal harmonies.
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Created by Perth’s music scene stalwarts, Hope River Road is a celebration of good vibes.
“It’s all about the audience” say Craig Pinkney, lead vocalist.  “Times are a little tough, and we just wanted to create a live music experience packed with positivity and good energy.”
We’ve crafted two great sets of original compositions along with interpretations of some tasty covers to keep the dancefloor heaving all night.  
The band take its name from a tributary of the Murchison, but Road River Road is also a state of mind, a fictional place where cares are left well behind.  
“Journey of Your Life” was released in September 2022 and followed up with “Trouble” and “Let me Back Home” released later in the year. All three were place getters in the Tamworth Songwriters Association Awards in 2023.
“Keep a Little Faith” and “Wayward Others” just released as singles and receiving critical acclaim.
The band draws its musical influences from the Country-Blues tradition, with a rockin’ beat and sublime vocal harmonies courtesy of three of the most talented and experienced voices in the state.
Band Members: Craig Pinkney – vocals, guitar and blues harp. Pink & White Bridge / Alkatrazz, Paul White – vocals, guitar. Pink & White Bridge/ Plain Sailing, Sue Bluck – vocals, keys. Three Kings Review / Birdland, Mick Burn – drums. The Jets / Matt Taylor, Bob Greaves – Bass.  Big Town Players / Awesome Wells Band.

Lauralee Faith and The Fat Wallet Blues Band | 9.00pm

Lauralee Faith and The Fat Wallet Blues Band deliver a fresh take on the blues, showcasing a mix of original and great covers by well-known artists not often heard on the WA blues scene. Led by powerhouse vocalist Lauralee Faith, whose soulful and dynamic performances captivate audiences, the band draws on rich musical influences from the 50s and right across the contemporary blues spectrum.
Never in the history of modern music has a blues band earned enough money to completely fill a musician’s wallet, so in optimistic anticipation of maintaining the status quo, we’d like to introduce;- Lauralee Faith  backed by The Fat Wallet Blues Band. Lauralee sings a blues repertoire that features songs by artists not always showcased on the WA blues scene – it’s our mission to keep things fresh and interesting whilst indulging our audience completely in the blues !
Lauralee Faith – Vocals - If anyone is skeptical about the connection between genetics and talent, a quick listen to Lauralee Faith will instantly dispel the myth! A product of three generations of performing musicians in Perth, Lauralee grew up listening to Koko Taylor, Bessie Smith, Joplin, Ella, Amy and Aretha to name just a few, Bessie Smith, Joplin, Ella, Amy and Aretha to name just a few, so it’s no surprise that when it comes to singing the Blues, she’ll will reach parts of you that some beers haven’t even thought about yet!! With a voice that’s a meld of past influences and the product of her own expression, you’ll experience vocal dynamics ranging from the deeply soulful, to rich, powerful and intense treatments of the varied songs in our repertoire. Lauralee is a popular, regular performer at venues like The Perth Blues Club, The Duke of George, The Ellington, Freo Social and Clancys and has had the distinction of appearing at RTRFM’s Winter Blues Fest 2021, the Grand Opening of WA Museum Boola Bardip, Yirra Yaakin’s 2022 Event Launch, Bridgetown Blues and The Art Gallery of WA. She has performed with the royalty of Perth’s Jazz, Blues and R&B musicians.
Amongst the different currencies in the Wallet we have:
Dennis Thal – Guitar Dennis is a Blues purist to the core, starting his musical career in the early 70’s playing guitar in Bands such as “Rat Salad” and “Louis The Jeep” the latter moving from Cape Town to London in the Mid 70s, famously performing at the 1975 Edinburgh Festival.
Danny Smedley – Drums Danny’s standout voice and instrumental talents have taken him from cover bands and acoustic duos to memorably zip-lining into HBF Park for the Western Force season opener in 2017. Currently, he rocks the stage solo and fills in with Midnight Rambler and Renegade. He indulges his drumming passion with The Fat Wallet Blues Band.
Peter Altmeier-Mort – Bass Peter is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with a rich career performing and recording with national icons like Marcia Hines and Doug Parkinson, as well as media giants Triple J and ABC TV. Known locally for his guitar and bass work with Indigo Duck, The Howling Desperados, and Suzi and The Reptiles, he is also an award-winning songwriter, recognized by WAMI and the Australian Songwriters Association.
Geoff Sedgwick – Keyboards Geoff has played in and around Perth over the last 22 years in Big Red Sky, Countdown, Mag -7 and Renegade. He has been playing the Blues since his school days, Rock in the 70s & early 80’s with PJ Powers and Hotline and is still playing the Hammond he’s owned for the last 40 years with The Fat Wallet Blues Band.