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Blackwater Fever, The
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Blackwater Fever, The
Genre: Rock, Roots
Region: Brisbane, QLD
Members: Shane Hicks - vox/guitar, Andrew Walter - Drums
Sounds Like: The Black Keys, The Mess Hall, The Fumes
Influences: Tom Waits, Queens of the Stone Age, buddy guy
Artist Website: www.theblackwaterfever.com/

With the success of TRIPLE J airplay on ROOTS 'N’ ALL and HOME & HOSED, guitar/drums duo The Blackwater Fever are fast spreading an epidemic of dark garage blues sounds around Australia.

TBWF’s debut EP Abused Blues with its’ stripped-back style made No 6 in Tsunami Mag’s 2006 Australian Albums of the Year. The sultry gravely vocals and thick guitar tones of vocalist/guitarist Shane Hicks combine with Andrew Walter’s unrelenting primal drumbeats to create an infectious hard-hitting blues sound.

Voted “BEST BLUES & ROOTS ACT” at the 2006 Sunshine Coast Music Awards for their intense explosive sound, TBWF’s live experience is not to be missed. From the murder ballad ‘Red’ to the alt country ramblings of ‘Sweet Misery’, TBWF will break your heart one minute only to pick you up the next with another irresistible rocker like ‘Lovesick’. Also incorporating vintage samples, adding an interesting dimension to their sound, this diversity in sound has lead them to appeal to both young and old music fans.

Inspired by early blues recordings of Howlin’ Wolf, Leadbelly, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Buddy Guy and often compared to their modern day counter parts, The Black Keys and The White Stripes, The Blackwater Fever have forged their own vintage dark blues sound with imaginative song writing and original arrangements. This is one fever you’re gonna want to catch…

“STOMPIN’ RIFFS! One of the best sounding garage blues duos around”
- ASH GRUNWALD, TRIPLE J

“A BLUES ROMPER! Blackwater! What a killer track”
- CAROLINE TRAN, TRIPLE J

“THE MOST TALENTED AND PROMISING AUSTRALIAN ACT I’VE HEARD ALL YEAR! Their modern take on blues has to be heard to be believed. The atmospheric blues/rock compositions will appeal to fans from Tom Waits to Queens of the Stone Age.”
- GAVIN BRITTON, TSUNAMI MAG EDITOR

“Vocalist/guitarist Shane Hicks’ husky tones were reminiscent of The Commitment’s Andrew Strong and blues legend’s like Howlin’ Wolf. Their sound was infectious with moody guitar riffs and driving beats. This duo is definitely one to watch. Simply brilliant.”
- ELEVEN MAGAZINE

“Dirty blues duo The Blackwater Fever bring the tempo back where it should be with their heavy, ominous guitar tones and abused vocals. Their raw sound exemplifies the essence of blues-rock; this is honest blues and a festival highlight.
- TIME OFF MAGAZINE

“There's nothing novel about a two piece rock band any more, but Blackwater Fever have much more going for them than just novelty value. Front man Shane Hicks might not look like much as he approaches the mic, but from the rough and raw tones of the very first note, he delivers a superb and confident vocal performance. His voice has the scratchiness of a Joe Cocker, which makes his perfectly normal speaking voice all the more welcome and surprising. He's no slouch on guitar either, riffing through a variety of blues, rock and even ballad styles. Drummer Andrew Walter doesn’t get left behind, and delivers some solid beats. As they go through tracks from their Abused Blues EP, the crowd grows louder and louder, till everyone is cheering in admiration at the conclusion of the set.”
- FASTERLOUDER.COM.AU

http://www.myspace.com/theblackwaterfever

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reviews

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Back For You
rating:  4/5
Mmmm.... dirty blues, just the way I like it! In the vain of the Black Keys, this duo definately knows how to make enough noise to fill a room (or...
triplej



Back For You
rating:  5/5
Dirty and yet mellow rhythm that really has me tapping my foot. That mellow sound is sustained throughout the entire track really well and doesn’t g...
superuser



Crawlin' Skin
rating:  5/5
Such a full sound, these guys top my list of two piece bands, which says a lot. Also, they aren't above playing to a crowd of three aspiring Mackay m...




Back For You
rating:  5/5
hmmmmmmmmm, yummy song... the song structure, is amazing, great dynamic, and those vocals just top this as one song you have to listen too over and o...
more reviews



This project is supported by the Australia Council, the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body, through its Music Board Section.