By Justin Flynn
Punters at the Hornets’ next gig in Ocean Grove are in for a double treat.
The Hornets are an all-star cast featuring singer songwriter Craig Horne together with guitarists Jeff Burstin and Wayne Burt from Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons and the Black Sorrows, Chris Tabone from the Bad Loves on drums and Bruce Haymes on keyboards from the Paul Kelly and Renee Geyer bands. Wayne Duncan from Daddy Cool was also in band before his death in late 2016.
Horne will not only play for the intimate crowd at Piping Hot Chicken and Burger Grill, he will also launch his new book Daddy Who, which is an insider’s view on the iconic band Daddy Cool.
Horne told the Voice he was looking forward to coming to Ocean Grove again.
“It’s one of the best venues I’ve ever played at – it’s a beauty,” he says.
“You actually have a great communication with the audience because they’re right in front of you and it’s friendly and over the time I’ve played at the shop, I’ve built up an audience and it’s great, I enjoy the atmosphere.
“It has that New Orleans sort of feel, which I love.”
The Hornets have been described as the best blues band in Melbourne.
“It’s a pretty good marketing tool,” Horne laughs.
“Are we strictly a blues band? I think we’re more of a roots band, but blues is the foundation of it all.
“We’re one of the longest surviving blues bands in Melbourne.”
Horne said you don’t necessarily have to love the blues to enjoy the Hornets.
“Journalists in the past have said that the good thing about the Hornets is that it isn’t the same old blues,” he says.
“We have our own slant on it. We have a little bit of country in there and a bit of folk.
“I think we’re a blues band in feel only.”
But for now, Horne is happy to launch Daddy Who and play in front of one of his favourite audiences in the Grove.
“The local fans are knowledgeable,” he says.
“I think it’s the reason we really enjoy playing there. The people are steeped in the traditions of Australian music so when you walk in, people understand our history and what we’re trying to do so it’s an audience that’s made in heaven really.”
The Hornets will play at Piping Hot Chicken and Burger Grill tomorrow. Tickets geelongtickets.com.au/event/the-hornets-live-7939.
