New CD - SHATTERED DREAMSOUT NOW

Mick Slocum

Mick Slocum has been at the forefront of Australian electric folk for decades. He rose to prominence as the musical director and front man with the legendary Bushwackers during their peak in the 1970s. Mick has also recorded and toured extensively, both in Australia and overseas and has performed at major international festivals.
He now works with a select group of multi talented musicians as Slocum&Co. Their second CD, Straight Shooters, was launched in April 2019.

The Bushwackers

Shortly after that, Mick met a group of musical hell-raisers from Melbourne, calling themselves The Original Bushwhackers and Bullockies Bush Band, later becoming (with a slightly easier-to-remember name), The Bushwackers.Mick’s button accordion, mouth organ and concertina playing was a perfect fit for The Bushwackers’ loud and raw, thumping and barnstorming sound which took them overseas in 1974 for two extended tours of Europe and the UK.The Bushwackers first mainstream album ‘And the band played Waltzing Matilda’ (Image Records) was released in 1975 before the band returned to Europe in 1976 for an extended tour beginning with a major spot on the main stage at the Cambridge Folk Festival.

Murrumbidgee

With his musical knowledge and direction, Mick helped drive The Bushwackers to being widely regarded as the best electric folk outfit in Australia during the musical maelstrom of the 1970s. This period also saw the band recording a number of albums including the landmark ‘Murrumbidgee’ in 1977 at London’s Morgan Studios with the legendary producer, John Wood.

After nearly 10 years as musical director of The Bushwackers, Mick joined The Sundowners with another former Bushwacker, Dave Isom.Their crowning achievement was producing Australia’s biggest selling album of Australian songs, ‘Colonial Classics’.

Mick’s career took a radical turn in the mid 1980s when The Sundowners were chosen to represent the Australian Tourist commission in Europe and the United States as a touring band promoting Australia.

This wealth of touring experience led Mick to create his own circuit of club and school shows, and Australian Food and Music Festivals, highlighting Australian music and cuisine in cities as far flung as Bangkok, Dubai, Seoul and Paris as well as Laos, Qatar and Bahrain!

Slocum and Co.

Mick is now leading his own unique band of musicians in the eponymous Slocum&Co, allowing Mick to bring an even more contemporary feel to his music along with the ability to bring in the best musical talent to collaborate as needed.

The band’s first CD, ‘Straight Shooters’ saw him working closely with one of Australia’s most experienced and talented engineer/producers Doug Brady, perhaps best known as the engineer behind John Farnham’s iconic ‘You’re the Voice’ from his 1986 smash hit album, ‘Whispering Jack’.

‘Straight Shooters’ is the first new album from Mick Slocum’s new group and features a number of self-penned songs, along with some traditional tunes.The album cover features a strangely striking painting by acclaimed Melbourne artist Graeme Drendel, the title coming from the painting itself.

We hope you enjoy this new and exciting take on this blend of contemporary/traditional Australian music from one of Australia’s great contemporary folk musicians.

The Bushwackers pictured in London in 1976 before their Cambridge Folk Festival appearance. The Bushwackers appeared on the main stage alongside Don McLean, David Bromberg and Steve Goodman.

Mick Slocum is pictured at far right.

Photo by Michel Lawrence.

The Bushwackers pictured in London in 1976 before their Cambridge Folk Festival appearance. The Bushwackers appeared on the main stage alongside Don McLean, David Bromberg and Steve Goodman.

Mick Slocum is pictured at far right.

Photo by Michel Lawrence.

Mick Slocum at Furstock Studio recording his latest album, ‘Straight Shooters’ with Engineer Doug Brady (partially obscured). As Producer and Musical Director, Mick is deeply involved all areas of production for the band.

Photo Michel Lawrence