Brother Goose
Brother Goose was formed when Barry (big goose) Sullivan wanted to play with Barry (lil goose) Harvey AGAIN, because they had worked together on and off for over 40 years. Big Goose found the Singer, Harmonica Wizz, Ian Wilks and Craig Claxton on Guitar and Vocals, then Piano and Vocal extraordinaire Mr. Owen Gray. So the band was born and recorded it's first CD called "Brother Goose". It is one of the only recordings I can listen to at any time and still get a buzz from it. Unfortuneately Big Goose passed away on the 27th. October, 2003, but left behind a fabulous example of how bass players should play with drummers and the rest of the band, and left in a state of musical bliss.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
WOW, start at 1963 and I was asked to join a "Shadows type band and the guitarist was Big Goose, he didn't start playing Bass Guitar till 1968,69. I'm glad he did as he was trying to play bass ideas on a lead guitar and when he got his Fender Bass he started to bloom as we spent 3 months in a room with the bass and my drums and played every day. He learnt how to play bass with drums and his 1st. band playing Bass was the original OZ Blues band Chain. That was absolute magic. That is really where Australian Adventurous music was born and true feel playing. Chain is still going and playing great, so is Brother Goose and Goose has left a great legacy for all bass players to learn from. The CD Brother Goose is one of the best I have ever heard.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We play live at every opportunity that avails itself and love every minute of it. The band is four piece now with Ian Wilks on Vocals and Harmonica, Craig Claxton on Guitar and Vocals, Kevin Mercury on Bass Guitar and Lil Goose on drums. Everytime we play is a special time because the band always grooves and we have a ball playing.
Your musical influences
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Booker T and the M.G's., Aretha Franklin, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Warren Morgan, Les McCann, Jimi Hendrix,
Tony Williams, Alice Coltrane, Little Walter, Muddy Waters,
Matt Taylor, Mal Logan, Max Roach, George Russell, (the list could go on forever.)
What equipment do you use?
Standard Amplifiers, Fender Guitars, Gretsch Drums, Harmonicas, Wah Wah Pedals. (not really a Teckno Band, more of a music band.
Anything else?
Thank you for the people who follow Live Music and live Music Venues and believe in Melody, Harmony and good Rhythm Sections that aren't pre-programmed.
