Tusk will put the final touches on their Groovin the Moo set list at their final rehearsal today.
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Made up of Colbinabbin drummer Jaydon Weppner and Bamawm brothers John and Royce Palmer, Tusk formed about two years ago.
The alternative-rock band was unearthed by Triple J for the Bendigo leg of Groovin the Moo and couldn’t believe it when they got the nod of approval thanks to their song Soul.
“They rang me and I just thought ‘no way’,” John said.
“I rang Jaydon straight away but Royce didn’t answer his phone for ages.
“We weren’t meant to tell anyone until the festival had made the announcement but we just wanted to tell everyone.”
The inclusion on the GTM line-up is good news for the trio who lost more than $40,000 worth of music equipment, song recordings and lyrics in a fire that tore through their home studio last year.
A fundraiser organised by local musicians and fans got the band back on their feet.
“It’s amazing how many people really got behind us when that happened,” Palmer said.
“People we didn't know gave us support. So we were always determined that going to keep going.
“We got what we needed back and kept sticking at it.”
With less than 48 hours until they take to the stage in front of thousands of music lovers, Tusk is feeling good.
But before then they will play a warm-up gig at the Golden Vine on Friday night.
“We have sorted the whole set out (for GTM) and are trying to cram as many songs as possible in there. We’re very keen on (getting out there),” Jaydon said.
“We have been writing new songs for an upcoming EP but we won't play any of those at Groovin. We’re going to play some new ones at Golden Vine, so it should be a pretty big night.”
John and Jaydon formed the band after a big night in 2015.
“Our first jam was after a hangover, Jaydon and I decided to play in his shearing shed and made up three songs in a couple of hours and just thought, ‘shit, we should start a band’,” John said.
Not long after, Royce joined and the band evolved from duo to trio.
“Me and John have always played music together,” Royce said.
“They start playing together as Tusk and when the stuff burned down, I joined shortly after that.”
Tusk play at Groovin the Moo on Saturday from 11.45am to 12.05pm. For more information on Tusk head to www.facebook.com/tuskrock
Head to www.gtm.net.au/bendigo for more details on Groovin the Moo.
Chris Pedler
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
