lou bennett & the sweet cheeks

Lou Bennett, Alics Gate-Eastley and Fil Collings are The Sweet Cheeks! And if you take the time to check, I think you’ll agree from the heart of your bottoms, that yes, their mooms are sweet! Ladies and Gentlemen, after 5 years of performing together, The Sweet Cheeks have finally recorded their debut album “Hold My Hand?” Due for release late June ’07, we trust you’ll agree it was worth the wait!

Lou, an Australian indigenous woman- from the Yorta Yorta-Dja Dja Wurrung people, has been living in Melbourne for the past 18 years. Lou’s most regarded work was with the Tiddas- spanning the 90’s, travelling nationally and internationally and has gone on to solo albums, public sound scapes, theatre and documentary as a composer and a performer.

Lou, Alics and Fil each have had many years experience in the music industry prior to The Sweet Cheeks. Alics (co-founder of Scottish “cow-punk” outfit, The Well Oiled Sisters) shifted from the U.K. to see how green the grass grew down here in Melbourne - “The Well Oileds” had called it a day, after a decade of sharing music with people all over the world.
Over their brief but varied history, The Sweet Cheeks have enjoyed many stages including Edinburgh Festival in 2002 (one of their first shows outside of Australia) and various festivals including WOMAD (Australia/New Zealand).
After 4 years of pestering, Lou finally gave way to Alics’s pleadings for a new addition to the rhythm section! And then along came Fil! After a brief meeting on Yorta Yorta country, they soon realised they’d found the third cheek! Busy as he is, with the likes of his own trio, Sophie Koh, Ren Waters, Emily Ulman and Kate Neal, Fil decided he could do with a bit of bummin’ around with the girls!

The Sweet Cheeks are a sweet, cheeky(!) combination of harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass and drums over lyrics that speak of compassion, truth, love and heart ache- basically life through the Sweet Cheeks’ eyes (no, not their brown ones!!). Their performance demonstrates reconciliation, cultural exchange, respect and celebration of diversity. A story tells another story and the music begins… Lou's magnetic voice captures you in- stories of her culture (mixed with some crass Scottish humour c/o Alics!) makes for a show that will touch your heart, make you laugh, cry and dance in the aisles!!