CHECKERBOARD LOUNGE ‘the band’ play Martha Salt Music 15th June 2024.
Singing drummer Carl Pannuzzo, Guitar master Shannon Bourne, Hammond virtuoso Tim Neal & uber-musical bassist Zoe Frater, breath fire, virtuosity and improvisation into classic soul and blues originals. Worldclass musicianship, dynamic passion and play.
Winners of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society 2019 Blues Challenge, Legendary underground institution, Checkerboard Lounge, deliver a dynamic, soulful well of emotion and playful abandon in collective improvisation over classic blues, soul and originals.
From deep within the veins of Melbourne’s music scene, Checkerboard Lounge has become a cult-like underground institution. The brainchild of renowned singer and drummer Carl Pannuzzo, the band has evolved over thirty years; breathing fire, virtuosity and improvisation into their ‘must see’ live performance.
Just before the pandemic hit globally, Australia’s hottest act on the blues and roots scene, scored a recording session at the legendary SUN Studio, home to Howlin’ Wolf, B.B.King, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis and more. During a visit to the museum, Tim Neal (keys) sat at Jerry Lee Lewis’ piano and pricked up the ears of the studio engineer who invited the band to record in the hallowed studio. A 5-hour late night session saw the band lay down 12 incredible tracks: blues and soul originals, rare covers and a few golden choices the band had never played before, inspired by the history of the studio that seeded so many pivotal careers. You can even hear in a quiet brooding moment of a spontaneous version of ‘It Hurts me Too’, a ghost walk in and close a door, behind which there was no one. The electricity was alive that night and all was etched to tape on the famous release the ‘SUN SESSIONS’.
With a history of having played with some of Australia’s best blues exponents such as Rev. Mick O’Connor, Ian Collard, Jeff Lang, Broderick Smith, Steve Teacle, Richard Tankard, Andrew Ogburn, Garrett Costigan, Nigel MacLean, Dave Boyle (USA), this current line-up is at its responsive best, boasting world class musicianship and raw unbridled passion inspired by the moment’s music to create seemingly rehearsed pieces out of nothing but great listening and reaction skills.
Ever since their famed seven-year residency at the Great Britain Hotel in the early 90s, many budding young musicians have cut their blues teeth with the uncompromising fire of this band’s energy. Checkerboard has inspired the development of some of Australia’s finest musicians and bands (Powderfinger, Dirty Three, Clare Bowditch, Jet, Spoonful/Rocket Science, Kylie Auldist, to name but a few). Checkerboard’s point of difference has always been playing with a myriad of musicians and throwing them into the improvisational hot-seat.
Many have come away from a first time playing with the band saying things like “That was the most fun I’ve ever had playing live music” (guitarist, Co Tipping), “You could run a small city off these guys” – Fiona Boyes
Doors from 7:30pm | Show 8:15pm
General Admission $35 + BF
@ door (if still available)
You are welcome to bring your own dinner/snacks whilst the Bowlo kitchen is not in operation.
Please note the Bowlo Bar is now CASHLESS i.e. card only