A serious musical assault, crosses genres and ages of Blues & Rock

CHRIS FINNEN BAND: Chris Finnen had begun playing guitar as a child and was attracted to the blues before he reached his teens. After playing professionally for some time he also began singing, his light, high-pitched voice offering an unusual take on his blues repertoire, which was broad based, drawing on music as diverse as that of Indian, Celtic, African and Native American origins. Finnen blended these forms around a blues core. Finnen, who also plays percussion, lived and worked in Melbourne, Darwin and Perth before choosing to settle in Adelaide. In the 70s he led the Chris Finnen Offering and in the late 80s he began an association with the Indo-fusion band, Indian Pacific, working with singer Dyah Singh, and he has also played with Colin Offord’s Great Bowing Company.

Recognition for Finnen’s work has brought him national and regional guitar awards and 1995 saw him inducted into the SAMIA Hall of Fame. In the early 00s, Finnen was still touring to considerable acclaim, appearing solo and with his Blues Band, members of which have included bass players Dirk Dubois and Michael Winter and drummer John Freeman. He has also worked with Phil Manning and Matt Taylor and in duo with guitarist Jeff Lang and with Sherilee Hawkins. Chris performed for the Dalai Lama in 2005, was a guest of the International Expo in Nagoya, Japan, and has shared the stage with some of the world's best, including Buddy Guy, Bo Didley, Jimmy Witherspoon, Roy Buchanan, Eric Burdon, Keb Mo, Bob Brozman, Johnny Copeland, The Holmes Brothers, John Mayall, and Mavis Staples. He has worked in Australia with Matt Taylor, Phil Manning, Dutch Tilders, Margaret Roadnight, Jeff Lang, Kevin Borich and Colin Offord.

In 2013, Chris was nominated for a pride of Australia Medal for his work in community and mentoring and he was also Inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. In 2014 he was inducted Adelaide Music Collective Hall of Fame, became patron of the South Australian Blues and Roots Association, performed with long-time friend Phil Manning at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival and won the Derringers Music Blues Awards Outstanding Instrumentalist and is the Ambassador for the Port Noarlunga Blues Festival.

QUOTE ADELAIDE FRINGE REVIEW:

“Chris Finnen is one of Australia’s most innovative Guitarist. He took us down to the crossroads and off into space, from Delta Blues to Chicago, from Adelaide to Northern Australia via India and Africa.”

“Chris Finnen shows how to be authentic and make it your own, a mature musician of some years, Chris still play with a wonder and explorative sense of a child as he coaxes a range of sounds and tones from his guitars.”

Final Word ELECTRIFYING

MOSS, a five (5) piece original Rock, Pop & Blues Band who “weave their social and political bent through some infectious and easy-going grooves. Taking their cues from bands like Redgum and Yothu Yindi, and generally an era when politics and music went hand in hand, MOSS take it on themselves to use their voice to stand up for those who don’t have the same privileges that many Australians have. MOSS are a band of souls who want the country to be a better place for everyone who lives in it, not just those who are at the centre of political policies or agendas.” Source AMRAP By: Cameron Menegoni

Suzie Craig:           Lead singer / Guitar / Percussion

Mark Simpkin:     Guitar / Backing Vocals

Ian (NED) Kelly:   Guitar, Keyboards / Backing Vocals

Dave Redhead:     Bass Guitar

Dave Anthony:     Drums