Chuck's Wagon
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | INDIE
Music
Press
With influences like Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle and Neil Young, Chuck’s Wagon have a unique yet familiar sound that welcomes you with open arms while simultaneously making the hair stand up on the back of your neck. If you can imagine Tex/Mex BBQ with Roo meat on the menu all washed down with good Australian beer, then you’ll have an idea of the feeling that Chuck’s Wagon give their audience.
Well, we didn’t have to wait too long before we were greeted by the familiar figure of Chuck Stokes and his henchmen, collectively known as Chuck’s Wagon! This was what everyone was waiting for… to see these guys in full flight is truly a sight to behold.
This was an album launch, so, as expected, the set was made up of songs from their new opus “Lipstick And Sin”. Opening with San Antone (the first track off L&S), gets the now full room whoopin’ and hollerin’ and everyone quickly shifted into full tilt party mode, feet were stomping, hands clapping and everyone knew that they were in for a great night! Chuck's voice was in spectacular form and as always, aided quite ably by red hot guitar slinger Mr. Adam Pringle, a true master of the Telecaster. Adam is a force of nature, like a hurricane, calm at his core, yet, there’s this whirl wind of sonic delight erupting from his nimble hands. The rhythm section didn’t miss a beat either, they were locked and loaded and primed for action, a well oiled machine with only one purpose, to deliver the goods!
Chuck’s Wagon delivered a blistering set of Rocking Country and if all the planets align just right, Chuck Stokes could stake a claim as the new King of Australian Country, his songs are incredibly well crafted, soulful and possess more hooks than a bait and tackle shop!
And look out America, Chuck's Wagon are headed your way! Get along and see these guys when they get to a venue near you!
The long and the short of it is, if your feet aren’t tapping and your head isn’t bopping along with the music, I’d be getting someone to check your pulse.
- No Depression Magazine
This album, the second for the band, consolidates the previous work with catchy rhythms, infectious melodies and a set of lyrics which tell it like it is. Songwriter and lead singer Chuck Stokes has managed to click into the country sensibilities with an alt-country approach that at times is more country than some of today’s top stars. Songs like San Antone, Lost Highway, Forty Days and Black Road sink into your brain and stay there while Long Way Home and She Ran kind of snuck up on me. Sure, there’s an inner-city vibe here but it is heartfelt and brings a freshness to the somewhat predictable fare that is to be found elsewhere. The production and musicianship are top order and with some decent exposure here at home Chuck’s Wagon might just make a name for themselves in our circles. Check out Chuck and the boys and you might just cotton on to something different and delectable. - Capital News October 2009 (Vol 34 No. 10)
Discography
1. 2006 Chucks Wagon Bootleg E.P.
2. 2007 Debut Album Self Titled (out on WJO Distribution)
3. 2008. Live in Austin Texas- (out on WJO Distribution)
4. 2009 August_ Lipstick and Sin- (out on WJO Distribution)
Photos
Bio
CHUCKS WAGON BIOGRAPHY
Chucks Wagon is arguably Australia’s most progressive Independent Country Rock Band.
A mixture of raw chemistry and musical talent, this 5 piece band of Outlaws was built in 2006 from the best musical talent to survive the brutal Sydney , Melbourne, pub and club touring circuit of the 80’s and 90’s.
Chucks Wagon immediately released a “Bootleg E.P” to critical acclaim, paving the way for their 2007 Independent Debut Album and a Top 50 Country Music Channel video single “Black Road”, released in Australia, the U.S.A and Germany, foreshadowing bigger things to come.
The band, led by charismatic, heavily tattooed lead singer - songwriter, Chuck Stokes, then headed to the U.S spawning a “Live in Austin Texas’’ album, creating a buzz in the very heartland of traditional country music.
On return Chucks Wagon released a brilliant second Independent Studio Album “Lipstick and Sin” now out on WJO Distribution and a second charting CMC video single “Lost Highway.”
Since conception, Chucks Wagon has a rapidly growing fan base achieved through a heavy touring schedule that’s included three further U.S Tours, three Tamworth Country Music Festivals, the Katherine Muster and hundreds of pub, club and U.S. bar gigs.
Think Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Tom Petty, George Strait and Townes Van Zandt meets Australian Outlaw Country Rock and you can understand why Chucks Wagon is a new direction and sound in the Country Music Industry.
In the tradition of the original “American Outlaws” the band continues to evolve and Chuck Stokes is pleased to see some light at the end of a corporate tunnel, having now acquired a sponsorship deal with Fender Guitars, and a publishing deal with Centrifuge music.
Following a successful 2010, Chucks Wagon will embark on an ambitious 2011-12 including National and International touring culminating in a third studio album being recorded in TEXAS with renowned producer Chris Wall.
One thing’s for certain, this band has momentum and Chucks Wagon will roll through your city soon, tolling a bell and giving Country Music Associations the World over, a chance to see and hear something new.
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