Cheap Fakes
Gig Seeker Pro

Cheap Fakes

Hughenden, Queensland, Australia | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF

Hughenden, Queensland, Australia | SELF
Established on Jan, 2009
Band Pop Funk

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Live Review"

Support for tonight comes partly in the form of Brisbane's own ska-party real-deals, Cheap Fakes. The classy six-piece run through an entertaining set of tight, danceable ska jams that instantly makes Sunday night feel like a Saturday again, as the dreaded Monday blues are fought off with vigour. Starting with "All I Know", the six-piece, led by engaging frontman Hayden Andrews, are stylish and smooth and as the sound builds and each member solos like their lives depend on it, the audience knows they're no fakes. Andrews announces the fact that, “We're really honoured to be supporting Cody Chesnutt. He's been one of our favourite artists since his first album. You guys are in for a treat.” Paul McBride, The AU Review (The HiFi, Brisbane | 20 October 2013) - AU Review


"Live Review"

Coming to the stage next was Brisbane’s super funky, mouth wateringly groovy, ultra classy Cheap Fakes, who would ultimately come out to be the high light of the show. All it took was the synchronized melody of a couple of horns, the gradual build up of some super stylized drums and the skanking reggae fueled guitar riffs within the bands first minute to understand what Cheap Fakes are all about: Playing the funkiest music in Brisbane and doing a damn fine job of it.

Cheap Fakes were one of those rare occasions, those unique performances where even if the band were playing a terrible genre of music you’re still suspended in awe because of the sheer talent with which they play. Fortunately though, Cheap Fakes play an excellent genre of music with a profound and utterly obsessive devotion to professionalism and getting the audience shaking their tail feathers. They were exemplary, the sort of band you might not go out of your way to see but are a tremendously pleasant surprise. Cheap Fakes in their own right were a funk band pure and simple who adhered to the same qualities that made the genres legends – Average White Band, James Brown, Kool and The Gang et cetera – so successful. Their music struck a perfect synchronized balance and with crystal delivery Cheap Fakes painted a permanent smile on the face of an entire audience. What made Cheap Fakes distinctive though were subtle touches and incorporations of other genres with the occasional surf rock inspired riff or reggae drum beat. The beauty was that it worked; these little tweaks didn’t disrupt the overall funk feel of their sound and instead complimented the music being played.

Cheap Fakes set the bar high for headlining Cody ChestnuTT. The band from set beginnings to finales knew exactly what they were doing, what they wanted to achieve and how to do it and performing their super fun and super engrossing funk inspired sound Cheap Fakes defined themselves as one of the best live acts seen this year. Zac Murray, AAA Backstage (The HiFi, Brisbane | 20 October 2013) - AAA Backstage


"Album Review"

- Easy-going reggae'n'roots bands are just a dime a dozen and mostly I couldn't give a damn about them (and I'll keep my dime, thanks!). Brisbane's Cheap Fakes have that going on, sure, and every time front-man Hayden Andrews opens his mouth I keep looking around for G-Love, but, no, that by itself would not be enough. It's that retinue of brass artillery they drag about with them wherever they go: the trumpets, 'bones and saxes (ok it's woodwind, so what?), that gives them that little funky bit extra. A lot extra, actually: the funk is front and center in everything they do. Check out the opener on their new album Hand Me Downs. Stoink is a perfect title for the tight and pacey funk, when it hits its straps and your head starts nodding, you'll know exactly what I mean. Every track on the album has extra brass beyond the band's five core members to help bring it, too. Next up is the album's first single Sand On The Beach which takes you to the other end of the Cheap Fakes' sound. Brassy ska with poppy overtones and it's all about surfing, drinking, strumming and carousing - it's bound to have all those nu-roots fans on the floor. Not normally my sort of thing, but it's, you know, their market and they do it with a fair whack of virtuosity so I can't dislike them for it. There's always something to make me forgive the Fakes any of their sins, like the similarly ska-poppy Sleeping On The Floor which launches into a mariachi-funk interlude that just kills. Great! There's a bunch of stuff to enjoy on this record, try also the breezy Bacharachesque pop of Make It Up and I'm pretty sure I heard some afro-beat funking away down in the back half of the record. If you can catch the sleazily suited boys jumping around at any of their gigs in Brisbane, Byron and beyond, you may not be suprised to learn that Cheap Fakes can bring what they do live, too. Whichever way you get into the Cheap Fakes, I think you're going to find it's worth your while.

- Chris Cobcroft. - 4ZzZ FM


"Album Review"

‘70s-suit clad funk/ska boys release sophomore album
Since their well-received debut album in 2010, Cheap Fakes have been working hard to establish themselves as Queensland’s premier reggae/funk/ska fusion band. Their large line up and mix of musical tastes has worked in their favour to create a sound that sits comfortably within a complementary little collection of genres. The result? One word: fun. Hand Me Downs is the album that makes even the most uncoordinated Friday night dance floor dweller think he’s James-freakin’-Brown. Frontman Hayden Andrews’ smooth vocals carry infectiously catchy melodies, while the five-piece band belts out a barrage of ‘big band’ style horns. The album from start to finish almost sounds like one long track, but only partially for a general similarity between songs. Swirling instrumentals dotted amongst the tracks are lead by funky guitar riffs and a serious horn section. The current single, Sand On The Beach, is your classic chilled out, catchy summer anthem, possibly at risk of falling victim to excessive radio play. Cheap Fakes are certainly earning their stripes and have followed a decent debut album with a fun and seriously well-constructed second. It will be interesting to see how they progress from here.
****
KAYLA CLIBBORN - Rave Magazine


"Live Review"

The Kiwi contingent of tonight’s crowd is substantial. A rough guess would place perhaps three quarters of punters in attendance to be from our neighbouring Antipodean nation, all eager to enjoy the musical exploits of one of their most popular musical exports. Local support act Cheap Fakes warm up the crowd with an assortment of classic brass-fuelled funk and a selection of very sharp suits. There isn’t a weak track in their set, but highlights include the intoxicatingly bouncy Make It Up and Sand On The Beach. All of this makes for a set that would, any other night, be an absolute show-stealing act. - Rave Magazine


"Live Review"

There was no denying the abundance of Kiwi accents on Thursday night as Perth’s New Zealand contingent made their way through the doors of The Bakery for The Black Seeds’ sold out show. First on stage, The Cheap Fakes from Brisbane donned their best suits and waistcoats and established themselves as a more than worthy amuse bouche. Blasts of infectious reggae and ska got the crowd moving in a highly co-ordinated fashion. The token New Zealand drummer was granted a lengthy solo to entertain the homesick crowd. The gap between support and main act then drew out a bit longer than usual and created a definite sense of anticipation in the crowd. This enabled the growing atmosphere created by the ‘Fakes to cultivate further to a point whereby it was tangible. - TheMusic.com.au


"Live Review"

Punters only just started to arrive when Cheap Fakes began warming up the crowd. The dapper gentlemen blended ska, funk and reggae into a sound that was so intoxicating and fun. Engulfed by the energy, the audience began the boogie that would continue for the rest of the night. Each member of the band was perfectly attuned to one another. The drummer had only been in the band for five weeks, but could have easily been mistaken for a founding member as he took control with perfect rhythm and impressive, well-executed solos. Cheap Fakes played off their playful sound with cheeky breaks to pose and perform brilliant solos that had the perfect amount of cheese and humour. Kudos must go to the trumpeter who at times simultaneously played the keyboard with such envious ease. Latecomers definitely missed out on something special. - TheMusic.com.au


"Live Review"

Cheap Fakes are a band that professional musos would cream over. Technically brilliant, this five-piece had a real sexy swagger – all Zoot-suited and Converse-footed. For a warm-up act, they transformed a rather lukewarm audience into a bubbling sauce-0pot of a crowd. Their set was masterful, possessing dynamically intrinsic song structures, danceable drum beats and punchy bass lines.

Trumpeter Scotty Bignell brought effortlessly energetic solos and Joshua Appleby pulled the saxophone with some guttural growls, upping the bright, piercing clarity. Vocalist Hayden Andrews has a lovely voice full of warmth and clarity, while bassist James Watson could not stop from jumping. You can’t help but grin from ear to ear, Cheap Fakes know how to bring the funk. - Tone Deaf


"Album Review"

Stones & Sticks (Independent)

The debut album of eclectic local soul ensemble Cheap Fakes, Stones & Sticks is a difficult album to fault. Vocalist and band leader Hayden Andrews reputedly spent almost a year assembling, producing and crafting the record following the dissolution of his former outfit Dubdoubt and, as a result, every adventurous facet of the album practically glistens with professionalism, artistry and creativity. At the heart of the record lies Andrews’ stellar songwriting. The album bounces happily across a multiplicity of styles from jazz and funk to reggae and hip hop but, throughout it all, Andrews’ silken melodies ensure the record’s various tracks share not only a uniformly high standard of quality but a pronounced cohesion as well. The reason the record is so difficult to fault, however, is the astonishingly talented musicians that decorate Andrews’ tracks – a veritable who’s who of respectable Brisbane musicians ranging from The Wilson Pickers’ Danny Widdicombe to The Rooftops’ Euan Gray to Mr Laneous himself. Varied, professional and accomplished, Stones & Sticks simply doesn’t put a foot wrong.

Matt O’Neill - 3D World


Discography

MODERN VINTAGE (Due for release late 2014)

View 'The Making Of Modern Vintage' here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjnR5f3q0BY&feature=youtu.be

Produced by legendary, grammy nominated producer John Merchant. 


HAND ME DOWNS (2012)

Since their well-received debut album in 2010, Cheap Fakes have been working hard to establish themselves as Queenslands premier reggae/funk/ska fusion band. Their large line up and mix of musical tastes has worked in their favour to create a sound that sits comfortably within a complementary little collection of genres. The result? One word: fun. Hand Me Downs is the album that makes even the most uncoordinated Friday night dance floor dweller think hes James-freakin-Brown. Frontman Hayden Andrews smooth vocals carry infectiously catchy melodies, while the five-piece band belts out a barrage of big band style horns. The album from start to finish almost sounds like one long track, but only partially for a general similarity between songs. Swirling instrumentals dotted amongst the tracks are lead by funky guitar riffs and a serious horn section. The current single, Sand On The Beach, is your classic chilled out, catchy summer anthem, possibly at risk of falling victim to excessive radio play. Cheap Fakes are certainly earning their stripes and have followed a decent debut album with a fun and seriously well-constructed second. It will be interesting to see how they progress from here. Kayla Clibborn, Rave Magazine


STONES AND STICKS (2010)

The debut album of eclectic local soul ensemble Cheap Fakes, Stones & Sticks is a difficult album to fault. Vocalist and band leader Hayden Andrews reputedly spent almost a year assembling, producing and crafting the record following the dissolution of his former outfit Dubdoubt and, as a result, every adventurous facet of the album practically glistens with professionalism, artistry and creativity. At the heart of the record lies Andrews stellar songwriting. The album bounces happily across a multiplicity of styles from jazz and funk to reggae and hip hop but, throughout it all, Andrews silken melodies ensure the records various tracks share not only a uniformly high standard of quality but a pronounced cohesion as well. The reason the record is so difficult to fault, however, is the astonishingly talented musicians that decorate Andrews tracks a veritable whos who of respectable Brisbane musicians ranging from The Wilson Pickers Danny Widdicombe to The Rooftops Euan Gray to Mr Laneous himself. Varied, professional and accomplished, Stones & Sticks simply doesnt put a foot wrong.
Matt ONeill, 3D World

Photos

Bio

Cheap Fakes are a much loved six-piece live band from South East Queensland’s music scene, ready to unleash their pop infused, brass fuelled funk and ska sounds to audiences across the country.

With two well received albums to their credit (2010’s ‘Stones & Sticks’ and 2012’s ‘Hand Me Downs’) and a resume littered with countless national supports (including The Black Seeds and Kora), as well as local billing with Cody Chesnutt, Charles Bradley, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Cheap Fakes are a force to be reckoned with.

2015 is shaping up to be the bands biggest year yet as they prepare for the release of their third longplayer, ‘Modern Vintage’. Recorded with Grammy nominated John Merchant (Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Bee Gees and Barbara Streisand) Cheap Fakes brought the American producer out to Australia for the ‘Modern Vintage’ sessions at world class Heliport Studios.

You can expect to find Cheap Fakes at any number of live venues as they build momentum ahead of the winter release of the new album. And with the band having already graced the stages of Valley Fiesta, Caloundra Music Festival, Big Pineapple Music Festival, Island Vibe, Golden Days and more, next summer looks like reaping a bumper crop for the dapper dressed lads who currently call Brisbane home.

Band Members