The Shot Band

“The spirit of Johnny cash meets the swagger of Keith Richards in New Zealand’s best alt-country combo” Nick Bollinger, National Radio

A band is thrown together for a single Wellington gig.  Something clicks and all present –band and audience- agree that this should be more than just a one-off.  At the end of the night a drunk stumbles up to the bandstand. “Sh’great! Youse guy are sh’ ‘ot. Shot Band!”. Having christened the group the stranger lurches off into the night.

It would be almost two years before the trio –Bill Hickman, Rob Joass and Hamish Graham – consolidated their forces, Hamish’s departure to South America being the inspiration for the initial gig.  But on his return to Wellington the band began performing regularly and building a loyal local following. 

City boys with country hearts, all three members are experienced performers and each brings a unique voice to the band.  Each member plays several instruments, lead vocals are shared and the harmonies flow naturally as a river.  Live, the Shot Band never fails to win audiences with their rich harmonies, diverse arrangements, great original songs and tinder-dry wit.  Released in 2004, their debut EP Songs About Drinkin’ and Dyin’ mixed originals with eclectic covers and received solid airplay on National Radio as well as alt-country stations in the U.S. and London.  An appearance at the Norfolk Island Country Music Festival followed, excursions to Sydney and, of course, gigging up and down New Zealand.   

Releasing their first full-length album and premiering Derek Thomson’s video for Drinkin’ and Dyin’, at Wellingtons Paramount theatre, is a happy (if a little blurry) highlight of this year. A great night and the Radio NZ recording of the show thankfully ensured that all is not forgotten. These recordings are available for all on the replay radio website. 

The album, simply titled The Shot Band (Red Rocks Records:RRR008) is comprised entirely of original songs.  Self produced in several Wellington studios over three months in 2005, it displays the group’s real breadth, both as writers and musicians.  It has been warmly reviewed about the country with songwriter Rob Joass also being nominated for the A.P.R.A. best country song award for ‘Dead in the water’.

“The Shot Band is an album sparkling with variety and imagination, with influences which span alt.country heroes such as Ryan Adams and Johnny Cash, to The Band and Paul Kelly.” Mike Hoolihan, Christchurch Press

The band has travelled the country promoting the new record.  With gigs along side Barry Saunders, Laura Collins, the Hobnail Boots, a nationwide tour with Australian country(and then some!) collective The Gin Club, and appearances at The Wellington Folk Festival, the band is more than ready to work hard and expand their audience.  In addition, the Derek Thomson directed video for Songs about Drinkin’ and dyin’ continues to get a wide variety of airplay and received an award as a part of Kodak’s music video clip awards. The video captures a great chunk of the spirit of the Shot Band.  Thomson encapsulates the humour, reverence and the great affection for country music that are defining features of this trio. 
As 2008 begins the band is writing towards their second full length album while the lads help promote the Tui award nominated record ‘The Fortune Horses’ as members of Hobnail Boots.  Needless to say more great songs, impassioned performances and tales of excess lay just around the corner…

Cheers. 

Contact the Shot band via www.theshotband.co.nz
Songs About Drinkin’ and Dyin’ is available at www.smokecds.com.
The Shot Band available from Red Rocks Record (RRR008) via Global Routes distribution.