Nicky Del Rey's Misadventures is both a band - one which plays around Melbourne and calls St Kilda home - and an album - one which will be released on September 27. It is the current outlet for and new release from one of Melbourne's most-beloved and esteemed guitarists - a man who has made his name unleashing Telecaster licks over a range of roots music styles - primarily country - and as both a bandleader and sideman.
The band and the album both see Del Rey stepping boldly into the much-overlooked genre of '60s Instrumental Surf Guitar music - a genre that developed out of California in the early 60s and which was known for both startling original compositions and guitar-led instrumental rearrangements of popular songs from outside the genre.
Take a listen to some of Nicky Del Rey’s Misadventures below:
Point Impossible
In addition to paying tribute to Surf Guitar masters with his own versions of tracks by Dick Dale and the Ventures, the new album finds Del Rey and band continuing both of those Surf Guitar traditions, with fine originals like "Point Impossible" and "Green Ham" sitting alongside a stunning instrumental version of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box" that will wow surf and grunge fans alike.
Of course, Australia has a great tradition of Surf Guitar, going back to the Atlantics and their international smash "Bombora" in 1963, through to the Midnight Oil-related project The Break.
Del Rey first appeared on the thriving mid-80s Melbourne alternative scene up front of the King Jerklews (who appeared on Au-go-go's legendary A Slab of Vic compilation album in 1986) and then in the Corpse Grinders and Intoxica. He soon became an in-demand side man, working alongside the likes of Lisa Miller (in the band Truckasauraus), Sherry Rich (replacing Steve Connolly in the Grievous Angels) and even renowned comedian Anthony Morgan in the band Crane Trash. He went on to work with Monique Brumby and perennial honky tonk institution the Moonee Valley Drifters, and more recently Hunters & Collectors brass man Jack Howard in his outfits the Long Lost Brothers and Epic Brass, as well as singer-songwriter Alyce Platt. He also has his own country outfit the Slowtown Social Club, is a member of all-star Melbourne country outfit the Cartridge Family and is a regular accompanist for popular country sister act the Sideshow Brides, whose Layla Fibbins returns the favour by playing in the Misadventures.
Nicky Del Rey's Misadventures will launch their forthcoming album with a show at George Lane on the home turf that is St Kilda on Saturday October 19.
The Misadventures are:
Layla Fibbins (Sideshow Brides) - Guitar
Dave Folley (Mick Thomas, Man In Black) - Drums *
Tom Heathcote (Midnight Woolf) - Bass
* Lluis Sanchez (aks Lluis Fuzzhound, Thee Cha Cha Chas) - Drums (on the album)
Support for the night is still to be announced. Doors open at 7pm and tickets can be purchased below:
Nicky Del Rey's Misadventures (Album Launch) Tickets, George Lane, St Kilda | TryBooking Australia
See you there :)