By NICOLE VALICEK
THE Tallboys started playing in an old chapel in Newport and went on to entertain larger crowds – and they are not done yet.
Greg Hammond (guitar and vocals) and Steve Martin (bass), together form the six-foot tall duo the Tallboys.
The musicians meet six years ago through their involvement with the Newport Folk and Fiddle Club, and decided to collaborate on some of Greg’s original songs and tunes.
“We thought it was a nice mellow constellation of instruments,” Greg said.
Greg, fellow local musician Simon Leverton and Steve started rehearsing and were later instrumental in setting up a regular live music venue inside an old chapel at the back of then Breizoz restaurant in Williamstown.
These rehearsals led to the appealing song Ghosts At Willy Races.
“The song is about a bike ride with the kids and an imagined day at the 1870 races at the historic site of the Williamstown race track near Altona’s Koroit Creek foreshore,” Greg said.
The concert venue moved to the Newport Bowls Club five years ago and has held monthly concerts ever since.
Greg said the Tallboys played for fun and only when they are invited to do so.
“It’s a way of expressing myself, and trying to get something across in the music form and connecting with people,” he said.
Since its beginning the Newport Bowls Club has hosted 60 live events that aim to promote local musicians.
Greg, who has since taken a step back from his organising role, said it’s a place where people can come, sit and just listen to the music.
The Tallboys will showcase much of their own work, with some covers that they “try to interpret rather than cover”.
“We both love the nuance and textures of playing acoustically, no electric instruments,” Greg said.
Local musician Laurel will support the band on the night.
The singer/guitarist has been likened to Jewel and Dido, will be playing a mixture of covers including Crowded house, Hunters and Collectors, Jewel and originals.
The Tallboys will be playing at the Newport Bowls Club, 4 Market St, Newport on 21 June at 7.30pm.
