AUSSIE rock has always had its own distinctive sound.
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From the establishment of the pub rock scene in the late 1970s, bands like AC/DC, Cold Chisel and many others paved the way and struck the first chords to create the guitar and drum heavy sound we call Aussie rock.
The Smith Street Band are one of present-day bands re-invigorating the idea of Aussie rock.
With a distinctive Aussie twang in the way they perform, the band (along with other groups like Violent Soho) have been an inspiration for young groups determined to take the stage with a guitar in hand.
Smith Street Band drummer Chris Cowburn said it was humbling to hear they are influencing a new generation of bands.
“It really humbles me to see younger people cropping up doing something in the vein of what we are doing,” he said.
“We were aware of it in a way, but it’s not something think about to often, (lead singer and songwriter) Wil Wagner is very much himself and it just comes out the way it comes out.
“On the flip side, there are bands like Violent Soho doing a similar thing. It’s not just us. There are a lot of strong bands doing fantastic things.”
The Smith Street Band will perform at Groovin the Moo on May 6. It will be their first time at the festival but not to Bendigo.
“It is the first GTM for everyone in band as punters and musos,” Cowburn said.
“I’m originally from Gisborne, which isn’t too far away, so it is also my kind of local-ish festival.
“We have played the MusicMan twice in Bendigo. The last one would have been at the start of 2015, so we are super keen to get back to Bendigo.”
Cowburn joined The Smith Street Band when they formed in North Melbourne seven years ago.
“We just fell together through mutual friends and now it’s been seven years, which is scary,” he said.
“Since then we have evolved quite a lot. If you listen to our current songs and then go back and listen to our first album, you can hear us physically growing up in songs.
“Our voices when we were 18 were so high and you listen to now, Wil has more of a deep and bellowing, massive voice. It’s an awesome thing to hear in our music.”
Cowburn said the evolution of the band also resulted in more team efforts.
“In those earlier days and records, it was really Wil’s solo songs with drums and bass behind it,” he said.
“But now it a collaborative effort and a lot more about each other. Because of that we naturally get better.”
The Smith Street Band plays at 3.25pm at Groovin the Moo on Saturday, May 6.