Twisted guitar-driven tuneful rock.

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Retro-Rock, BLUES: Guitar Blues



Details:
Hoopiron has had many incarnations. The band began in mid-1995, when brothers Steve & Paul Mileham, after having broken up the short-lived 'Ovagene,' invited friends Brett Wallace & Sharyn Porteous to jam at Paulâs rambling property in Belgrave, the creative centre of the beautiful Melbourne Hills. The chemistry between the four was apparent straight away. What started as a strictly acoustic affair quickly turned electric when Steve showed up to rehearsal with his new telecaster copy and amplifier. Paul switched to bass and Sharyn graduated to a complete drum set (she'd only ever played congas previously!). Brett remained behind the microphone. What followed changed music forever (at least in the minds of the band members) ... Over the next two years, the group played over 100 gigs around Melbourne. They were variously compared to mid-period rolling stones, nirvana, white album beatles, even captain beefheart! With their mate rowan matthews at the controls, hoopiron recorded regularly, turning out such songs as 'my sister' and âseven sundays all aligned' around this period. The highlight for the band came in august 1996, when hoopiron's video won a contest on abc tv's 'recovery,' scoring a two night support slot at the corner hotel with touring us singer/violinist, tracy bonham. Playing to packed houses on both nights was a far cry from playing to empty rooms a year before (& about a week after). In time it became clear, however, that the band had perhaps missed their chance to capitalize on the exposure afforded by this experience. Disillusionment, combined with internal tensions effectively put an end to hoopiron in july 1997, two years after their inception ... ... Or did it? Inexplicably, brett, steve & paul reconvened in late 2000 for some acoustic sessions, assisted by trusted sound engineer rowan matthews. Every weekend for a period of six months the boys met in an old factory to record a batch of tunes that would remain unreleased until 2006. Why? Because baby daughters arrived for both steve & brett within the same week in july 2001. You can now enjoy 'pretty neck' and 'all through the day' from these sessions for the first time. It wasn't until september 2002, over a year later, that our story continues. At the funeral of a mutual friend, brett suggested to the two brothers that they reform to play a few songs at the tribute night. According to those present, the trio were the hit of the night. Incidentally, this particular friend had played a big part in encouraging them as musicians, and had even recorded the band once. Unfortunately, the tape being used was so ancient and oxidised, upon playback nothing came out! As a result of this gig, the boys decided (once again) to continue as an acoustic trio. They spent a relaxed six months drinking beer & playing together in a little wood & stone bungalow at the top of the leafy melbourne hills, until paul suggested that the band expand to its former glory. For another six months or so they were, for the first time, a five-piece, two guitar attack outfit, with brett's mate damo on bass and sharyn reinstated on the drums. Then, a double blow in september 2003, with damo unable to continue due to work commitments & original member paul quitting to pursue opportunities with other bands. Late 2003, enter the one and only grant porteous on bass; sharyn's brother & band supporter from the beginning. This is the lineup which has brought hoopiron up to the present: brett â voice, steve â guitar, grant â bass & sharyn â drums. With grant's energy injection, the group started producing new material and gigging again, and in late 2005 recorded again after a long break. Recordings from this period, with steve at the controls, encapsulate well the band's unique blend of heavy / light / tuneful / freakout / whatever. 'She came out of nowhere' and 'how will i leave this earth' are two prime examples. Furthermore, between early and mid 2006, even more killer new material was recorded with the help of band friend and skilled engineer, glenn oakes. It can now be revealed that these 10 songs will be released in mid-2007 under the title "everything must change." this is the group's official debut lp ... After 12 years of hard slog! Highlights include the hard rockin' 'never wanted,' poptastic 'd-tune,' riffalicious 'thinkin it over' and the breathtaking 'colours,' which includes a guest appearance by brother paul on slide guitar. Do look out for this stuff, as the band is really excited by it. They have never sounded so good. Yep, that's all for now ⦠⦠or is it?