Big Music Works
Winters can be long in Melbourne. Very long. Do you remember those feelings? If you do, then think Big Music Works.
Most twenty somethings spent those winters longing and dreaming of the beach, the summer and all the things that come with those dreams. Sun kissed faces that quickly lose that winter pastiness, long sessions in beer gardens and live, loud and local music that personifies all of the above. Born of exactly those elements of early adulthood. Six contrasting characters that, ironically, melded into
a powerful live act that attracted a loyal following. Six characters that were all so different but all so similar who had three things common – beach, surf and loud rock and roll. BMW formed in 1984 from the remnants of The Astros Boys. Jim Young (guitar and vocals), Christian ‘Bongo’ Muehkle (drums) and Glen Miles (bass and, eventually, keyboards) all had been part of The Astro Boys with guitar maestro Jimi Hocking. Jimi went one way and the rest went the other way to form Big Music Works, linking up with schoolfriends Neil Harrison (guitar) and Wayne Mitchell (bass). The line up was completed when Jim Egan, who had supported The Astro Boys in a previous band, was added to the mix as vocalist. Quickly adopted by local surfrider clubs and other staunch live music punters, BMW quickly built a reputation as a pumping live act and were soon spreading the love from Phillip Island to Lorne, Melbourne to Merimbula and just about every live venue in between. On a Friday night in early 1984, Big Music Works opened The Corner Hotel in Richmond with The Adventure. Wayne Gale had transformed a city drinking hole into what would become one of Melbourne’s, if not Australia’s, premier live gigs. BMW were an integral part of the rebirth of this now iconic venue. Another Melbourne rock’n’roll landmark was The Venue, on the Upper Esplanade in St Kilda. Under the guidance of Simon Smith and Joe Gualtieri this was to become BMW’s ‘home ground’ and the band supported many touring and local acts such as Wall of Voodoo, Real Life, Pseudo Echo, Boom Crash Opera, Dragon,Mental as Anything, Rose Tatoo, The Back Sorrows, Sharon O’Neil, Spy Vs Spy, Paul Kelly, Georgia Satellites, and even The Monkees ! These gigs polished the music, the flair and the charm of the band and the hard work paid off with touring supports with Ian Moss and Midnight Oil on their respective Victorian tours in 1985 & 1986. Summer gigs at Merimbula (NSW) RSL became legend, with hordes of Victorians following the band to the popular seaside town. A rollicking ride came to a shuddering end in 1987 with a farewell gig at BMW’s other ‘home ground’, The Corner Hotel in Richmond.
25/08/2023
Just 3 of my special guitars arranged in a most significant way heading into the AFL Finals. The latest acquisition the 2013 Ruby Red Strat, The Jeff Beck 2006 signature Strat and the 94' Les Paul Custom ROCK ON SAINTS
25/08/2023