WAMFest announces full 2016 program, Hall of Fame inductees
PRESS RELEASE:
There’s less than a week til WA’s biggest ever four days of kick-ass music kicks off, WAMFest presented by Drug Aware. Whether you’re just after a good time soundtracked by WA’s best, has got you sorted with 159 acts playing over the four days, including at the genre-specific Friday Showcases, the all FREE 11 venue roam-around inSaturday Spectacular and the Aus’ festival first in Parlour Sunday Best. If an act is wanting to get a leg-up in the music industry,WAMCon has you covered like never before, with 70+ speakers now announced. And even though the WAMAwards event has sold-out, there’s still 35 different shows that are all winners in their own rights. Best then to sort your life out for the aural better this coming Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 November, with the Official WAMFest Program!
CLICK TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD FULL PROGRAM
As part of the recently sold-out WAMAwards, which will see the 36 winners revealed this Thursday 3 November at the WAMAwards Party at Gate One Theatre (Claremont Showgrounds), WAM has announced the 2016 inductees into the Hall Of Fame. A huge congratulations to 2016’s recipients Rick Steele and The Triffids, who will both officially be inducted this Thursday.
Hailing from New Zealand, Rick Steele moved to Perth in 1971. He began picking up gigs around town, one of the opening acts at the Stoned Crow, now known as Mojos in Fremantle. In 1976 he was offered a recording contract back in Auckland for his debut solo album Take It or Leave It, and moved back there with his new wife Liz in 1977. He returned to Perth with his family in 1980 where he formed the Hot Biscuit Band with Richie Pavledis and Marc Gorden. In 1990 they recorded their first album Live at Brian’s, following with The Fire Don’t Burn in 1994 andValiant in 1999. They toured these albums extensively, as well as focusing on his solo career. He toured the state without an agent, and in 1992 assisted in the creation of the Perth Blues Club – a volunteer-run organisation based out of the Charles Hotel, and still running strong today. He has supported the likes of Elvis Costello, James Brown and Jeff Walker, and been a key figure in organising events such as “Rock on the River”. In 2008 he released Through My Eyes, produced by son Luke. Rick still performs to this day as a solo artist, and with the Hot Biscuit Band and Spirit Of The Streets Choir. He’s also the father of Luke (Empire Of The Sun/The Sleepy Jackson), Katie (Little Birdy) and Jake (Tobacco Rat) Steele.
Formed in 1978 by Perth teenagers David McComb, Alsy Macdonald and Phil Kakulas, The Triffids became the perfect vehicle for a collection of peerless songs that have only gained in potency since the untimely death of their chief songwriter in 1999. The Triffids landed a three-record deal with Island Records, producing Calenture (1987) and The Black Swan (1988). As a result of their successes, the band began touring the European festival circuit, playing alongside the likes of Iggy Pop, The Ramones and many more. But unfortunately, the shot fell agonizingly short of its target and the band, exhausted from touring and constant travelling, became terminal in 1989.In the past 15 years there has been a resurgence of interest in the music of The Triffids with all the official releases being remastered and reissued, a rarities compilation being released and the remaining members of the band performing sellout shows around the world in honour of David McComb. In 2008 the band was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame.