GALLERY: MICK THOMAS & THE ROVING COMMISSION
Merri Creek Tavern, Westgarth. November 12
Photos by Jason Rosewarne
Treasured Australian alt-folk outlier Mick Thomas and his band The Roving Commission have just announced the new EP Boxing Day Drive, and his traditional string of pre-Christmas dates across the country. From the forthcoming EP, the single of the same name is out now. This week Mick and band launched the EP with a media gig at Westgarth’s Merri Creek Tavern.
The night started out with a 15 minute video of the band in Memphis and interviews with various people talking about the experiences of recording with legendary US producer Jim Dickinson and their video clip for Boxing Day Drive, which can be viewed on Youtube. The festivities ended up in the pub’s front bar, with Mick playing the final song around the piano without any microphones or amplification.
Compiled from particularly fruitful and inspired album recording dates in Memphis, Tennessee, Boxing Day Drive offers long-time fans a tantalising glimpse into the sessions that will become the band’s forthcoming full-length album release Cold Water DFU – due for release in 2019 and destined to leave yet another high water mark on Thomas’ already storied career. The journey back to Memphis was both a spiritual and musical pilgrimage for Thomas and his long-time collaborator Mark “Squeezebox Wally” Wallace, returning to the scene of the creation of Wedding Parties Anything 1989 masterpiece The Big Don’t Argue, though this time with Kevin Houston and Cody Dickson, rather than Cody’s late father and recording legend Jim Dickson at the helm (Kevin was Jim’s long time studio engineer).
Tour dates at bottom of Jason’s photo gallery
MICK THOMAS’ ROVING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2018
With Ayleen O’Hanlon supporting all shows.
Wed 21 Nov The Publican | Mornington, VIC
Wed 28 Nov Smith’s Alternative | Canberra, ACT
Thu 29 Nov Camelot Lounge | Marrickville, NSW
Fri 30 Nov Camelot Lounge | Marrickville, NSW
Sat 1 Dec The Milk Factory | Brisbane, QLD * 3pm show
Sat 1 Dec The Milk Factory | Brisbane, QLD * 8pm show
Sun 2 Dec The Milk Factory | Brisbane, QLD
Fri 7 Dec The Wheatsheaf | Adelaide, SA
With guest Sean Simmons
Sat 8 Dec The Wheatsheaf | Adelaide, SA
With guest Sean Simmons
Sun 9 Dec The Wheatsheaf | Adelaide, SA
With guest Sean Simmons
Sat 15 Dec The Navy Club | Fremantle, WA
Sun 16 Dec The Oxford Hotel | Leederville, WA
Sat 22 Dec The Spotted Mallard | Brunswick, VIC
Sun 23 Dec The Caravan Club | Oakleigh, VIC
Mon 24 Dec The Caravan Club | Oakleigh, VIC
Boxing Day Drive out 16 November 2018 through Bloodlines