Horizon album launch, supported by Peter Freebairn and Radio Vertigo. The Evelyn Hotel. Fitzroy. Photos and review by Greg Phillips
Horizon: A short history lesson and context
Vocalist/composer/musician Lee Bradshaw began his musical journey in classical music, inspired by his grandfather, who gifted him a violin and a typewriter. In his teens, Bradshaw was drawn into rock after singing in an Iron Maiden cover band at school. He grew up with a mix of influences—John Farnham on one hand and Beethoven on the other, leading to a 20-year career in record production, where he worked across genres—rock, reggae, jazz, country, metal, and world music.
While his classical career flourished, Bradshaw still had unreleased rock material dating back to the late 1990s. Many songs had been recorded multiple times but never felt quite “finished.” These eventually formed the foundation of the Horizon album, recorded with a ‘dream’ band which included Farnham band members Brett Garsed, Angus Burchall, the late Stuart “Chet” Fraser, along with his WA musician mate Rich Panaia.
Although the core band tracks were recorded in 2015 in a single day, the album took nearly a decade to complete. Bradshaw was busy producing other artists, delayed his own vocal recording, and repeatedly tried (and failed) to mix the album himself. The breakthrough came when guitarist/engineer David Carr—connected through a chance meeting over Brett Garsed’s old Marshall amp—took over mixing duties, delivering the final sound Bradshaw wanted.
Fast forward to May, 2025 and the Horizon album was officially released on CD and vinyl thanks to boutique label Pop Preservation Society, not only as a quality rock record but also as an important acknowledgment of the legacy of Stuart ‘Chet’ Fraser.
The Album Launch Gig
Friday August 8, 2025, and Melbourne music fans, media, friends and family finally had the opportunity to experience Horizon playing live to a packed house at The Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy in a poignant dedication to Stuart’ Chet’ Fraser, who passed away in 2019.
Supporting Horizon on the night was label stable-mate Peter Freebairn and Radio Vertigo, a band which features Lisa Mio on bass and Jo George on keys (both from Linda Ronstadt covers band Wild Dreamers), and Paul Boyle on drums. Peter and band performed a tight set, made up mainly of tunes from his acclaimed album Silhouettes & Cigarettes. Since we last saw Peter and band in action last year, there seems to be a refinement of the material and a new level of comfort and energy on stage that quickly won the audience over. It’s heartening to hear that Peter has more than an album’s worth of new material ready to record too.
With a great deal of anticipation, Horizon finally hit the stage featuring Lee Bradshaw on keys and vocals, the great Brett Garsed on guitar, Angus Burchall on drums, Rich Panaia on bass, The Sonettes on backing vocals and one significant addition, Stuart ‘Chet’ Fraser’s daughter Liv on guitar, joining the band on many tunes and doing her dad proud.
Kicking off with the album opener Primitive, the energetic tune showcased Garsed’s amazing slide guitar skills. Then diverting from album track order, Horizon offered the moody, slow rocking I Will Be King, featuring The Sonettes, their three impressive backing vocalists. The smokin’ Sex and Love, the album’s first single followed. I was told prior to the gig that lead singer Lee Bradshaw was suffering from some kind of bug and was struggling to get match fit for the gig. From his passionate vocal performance of Sex and Love, you’d never know.
Explaining the origins of his songwriting partnership with ‘Chet’ Fraser, Bradshaw introduced Dancing At The Fall of Rome, a song they penned together but doesn’t appear on the Horizon album. He also acknowledged the poignant appearance of Chet’s youngest daughter Liv on guitar, who added much joy to the evening.
In order to give Lee’s voice a rest, he summoned The Sonettes to the spotlight to perform a few soulful tunes, beginning with SHANN.N (Shannen Wick) who delivered a gorgeous version of Love Dressed Down, a track which she released as a solo single in 2024. Lucca Franco then took mic duties on Round and Round, a beautiful tune Lee Bradshaw had written. LHĒON, was up next and offered a rousing version of I Hate The Way That I Love You, another admirable tune that Lee Bradshaw had penned. Then in an unexpected turn of events, Lee told us that he had just recorded a song with all three Sonettes, as they launched into a blistering Gimme Shelter, featuring Brett Garsed offering those ominous Keith Richards’ opening guitar chords. Rounding out The Sonettes interlude, the ladies performed an emotive ballad backed only by Lee’s sympathetic piano.
Bringing the Horizon band back to the fore, Lee introduced Small Man, a quality tune written by drummer Angus Burchall. Then returning to the album tracks, the band laid My Only One upon us, a searing, moody rocker, with Lee providing Zeppelinesque vocals and giving Liv Fraser a chance to jam out more with the guys. Acknowledging his longtime mate and bass player Rich Panaia’s commitment to the band, Lee introduced Hey Brother, a track that heavily featured Panaia’s formidable bass licks. Garsed also chipped in with a scorching guitar solo, while Liv fully immersed herself in the moment. Monkey On My Back again had the band stretching out as we headed to the pointy end of the evening.
Lee asked Pop Preservation Society label boss Victor Stranges to the stage to thank the folks who had made the album and show possible. Straying from the album again, Horizon then launched into another Lee Bradshaw rocker titled Johnny Get Your Gun before pumping out You Know Who I Am from the record, allowing Garsed go feral on lead guitar while the engine room of Burchall and Panaia kept it all tight and rockin’. It was apt that the album closer Head Like A Hydro ended the night in a haze of top-shelf progrockery, performed by some of Australia’s most elite musicians. It was not only a night of top-shelf rock tunes played by our musical finest, it was an important event paying tribute to one of Australasia’s favourite musicians.
As to the future of the band Horizon, who knows? Bradshaw hopes the album finds an audience—not just because it’s strong musically, but because it’s a tribute to Stuart Fraser’s legacy. While the band has no “delusions of grandeur,” they’d like to perform more shows, possibly release archived material, and—if interest is strong—record new music.
Find out more about Horizon and buy the album HERE
