The Backsliders | Artist

The Backsliders are an Australian blues-based band formed 1986 in Sydney by Dom Turner (vocals, guitar), Rex Hill (harmonica), and Peter Burgess (drums). In 1988 ex Captain Matchbox frontman Jim Conway replaced Hill om Harmonica, and Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst joined in 2000. The band was often joined by ex-Dingoes frontman Broderick Smith before he passed away in 2023. With their unique blend of blues, roots, and alt-country music the band worked their way out of Sydney's inner-West pub circuit to establish themselves as a prominent fixture in the Australian music scene. Their sound draws inspiration from American rural blues players such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, while infusing it with their own modern twist. Their music is characterized by gritty guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and infectious rhythms driven along by Turner's tasty riffs and Hirst's drums. As a recording outfit, the band has released 12 studio albums to-date, plus a couple of live albums. Standout releases include Sitting on a Million (1989), Poverty Deluxe (1999), Hanoi (2002), Left Field Holler (2007), and Starvation Box (2011). Also recommended is the 1998 compilation Downtime (A Ten Year Collection). The album Starvation Box was nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album at the 2011 ARIA Music Awards. The band continues to be a popular draw at festival gigs, with one reviewer commenting “If the band was any tighter it would burst.. This is one tightly rehearsed outfit, which may have something to do with the fact that they have been working together for many years and are masters of their respective crafts.” The name ‘Backsliders’ came from an American Library of Congress recording of Lead Belly singing ‘Backslider Fare you Well’.

Artist Website: backsliders.com.au

Featured Albums: The Backsliders

Related Artists: Dom Turner, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Midnight Oil