Dog Trumpet will take to the stage at The Imperial Hotel Eumundi on Friday 3 February for what promises to be a sensational gig, with the band featuring Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty, original members of iconic ARIA Award-winning and Hall of Fame band Mental As Anything.
Shadowland is a distinctive blending of psychedelia, folk and blues. The album probes the perils and absurdities of human existence, kicking off with the title track Shadowland, a nervous musing on digital over-surveillance; followed by Nina Simone, a song reflecting on romance and memory. F***ing Idiots points out the shameful idiocy of our addiction to war and militarism; The Ballad of Clayton Looby is an anti-establishment ode to a larrikin surfer.
Along with Mombassa and O’Doherty, the Dog Trumpet line-up includes Bernie Hayes on bass and Jim Elliot (Cruel Sea) on drums.
Reg Mombassa and his brother Peter O’Doherty began their musical careers playing and writing in the ARIA Hall of Fame band Mental As Anything. Their songwriting contributions to the Mentals included Berserk Warriors, Egypt, Brain Brain, Apocalypso, Surf and Mull and Sex and Fun, Close Again, and Psychedelic Peace Lamp. The Mentals had 20 songs in the top 40 (a record for an Australian band) and a global hit with Live It Up.
In 2000, Reg and Pete split from the Mentals to pursue their own sound. Describing what that is can be tricky – an eclectic blend of rock, psychedelic folk and semi-abstract blues; whimsical, political, curious, intimate, scientific, erotic and witty. They are part of a long tradition of left-field song writers and storytellers relative to the canon of work by such acts as the Kinks, Nick Lowe, Squeeze and John Prine.
Over the last thirty years as Dog Trumpet they have released eight critically acclaimed albums including their latest, Shadowland, released in November 2022 on vinyl, CD and digitally worldwide via Demon Music Group.
Parallel to their music careers, Peter and Reg are also visual artists. Reg is one of Australia’s most recognised artists, well known for his work for the Mambo label, as well posters, graphics, album covers, and many decades of fine art. Peter’s fine art painting focuses on the urban and suburban built environment and is equally well regarded.
For the Eumundi show, Dog Trumpet will be showcasing the new album ‘Shadowland’ along with old Dog Trumpet and Mentals favourites.
Tickets $30 (plus booking fee) through Oztix. 18+ event. Doors open 7.30pm.
