Bang Bang Boss Kelly

The Grande kicks off with Brisbane’s favourite sons, folk/rock/bluegrass outfit Bang Bang Boss Kelly and The Wilson Pickers, moves on up to the return of Woodford favourites Kate Miller-Heidke and ARIA winners Monsieur Camembert, and then settles softly into twilight with Sally Seltmann (aka New Buffalo) making her Woodford debut. Those sticking around for the night can enjoy a solid night of soul with Senegal’s Daara J Family, Mama Kin and The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker (USA). - The Au Review

Photo: Justin Ma
The Old Museum - Sat Aug 28
Our eyes locked across a crowded room, and in an instant we were in love. Except she didn’t have any eyes, and the crowded room itself was what I became enraptured with. It was The Old Museum on a windy winter night – somewhere between the high echoing ceilings, the old world charm and the vibrant early sounds of The Landing, tonight would be a lovely but all too fleeting romance. The Landing get things moving with an eclectic range of sounds, some reggae, some goodtime country folk, a dollop of funk and many fun harmonies.
The punters on the balcony blowing smoke rings and sipping brews outnumber those on the aged floor until Bang Bang Boss Kelly bust out some infectious melodies and leap from tall amp stacks. Acoustic folk with a punk rock attitude, the band charge through songs from their shiny new EP and even a fiery version of Folsom Prison Blues. Five young kids with sleeve tattoos probably shouldn’t be able to make a song about a desperate existence in correctional facilities sound so fun – the same could be said for their own odes to pretty girls and break-ups that are complemented by close harmonies and frantic guitars.
They’re a hard act to follow, so before I could line up for another drink, much of the crowd had dissipated, leaving The Re-Mains without much to work with. Some clamber for chairs once again on the balcony, others have already left with further plans for Saturday night, but the band stands their ground with another weird melange of slinky grooves, country-fried instrumentals and some Tim Rogers-esque rock & roll swagger from leader Mick Daley. Parting is such sweet sorrow, particularly when there’s uncertainty about when paths shall meet again, but as I walk down Brunswick Street, my mind already wanders to when The Old Museum and I can be together again.
MITCH ALEXANDER

- Rave Magazine

Bang Bang Boss Kelly are a highlight. Heavy folk rock featuring banjos is a tragic rarity in Brisbane’s seedy musical underground. They’re well practiced and even well choreographed with a supremely friendly stage presence. They remind me strongly of Brisbane folk punk outfit D Rouser. A little taste of punk in the backing vocals makes their set one to look out for. - Rave Magazine

ROCKETSMITHS, VELOCIRAPTOR, RED INK, BANG BANG BOSS KELLY
THE TROUBADOUR: 13.06.10
As many a World Cup hangover are being nursed and reinstated by weary eyed Valley punters, The Troubadour tonight is hosting its own showpiece of talent to appease the non-sports fixated amongst us, with their being a public holiday tomorrow to boot. Lighting a firecracker in the night’s asshole is Bang Bang Boss Kelly, and with their country shavings and punk roots, the five rip their set apart, being led by Chris Drage’s sweat drenching banjo hits. Their energy is infectious, and throw in the spiralling insanity of ‘Boneyards’, ‘Lone Rider’ and an impromptu hoedown with crowd members, and you’ve got a fucking cracking set. - time off

Bang Bang Boss Kelly, a band who bring a grunt of tatts and wild hair to the soft evening, have an image which immediately clicks once they launch into a set of Mumford-lite banjo-driven jangle-spaz. Their thick, four-man guitar sound slices curtly through drummer Bos’s acoustic blast-beats, as they power through their hillbilly-on-Red Bull set; a blistering mix of punk-infused folk, and angst-effusing vocals. Closing on the heels of the anthemic Rock In Ruin, and crushing Shiny Girls, the guys leave in a tornado of noise. - time Off

THE BEARDS, BANG BANG BOSS KELLY
X&Y BAR: 18.07.10
As the united brotherhood of facial fuzz faithful begin packing the corners of the room, it has to be said that there is some mighty impressive chin talent that has arrived early and ready to check out locals Bang Bang Boss Kelly. The five-piece have the floor shoulder-to-shoulder and the dancefloor is heating the room as the firing slaps of ‘Boneyards’ rattle the speakers. The boys have hit their stride early as their infectious energy spills out of tales of woe and sin with a punch-in-the-face attitude. Alex Henriksson takes the reins for the night and leads the group into four-part harmonies with country-touched soul and the playful charm of the guitar raising salute of ‘Lone Rider’, while wildman Chris Drage drags his gear onto the floor to fill out the final belting of ‘Shiny Girl’. - Time Off