The Mason Rack Band

MASON RACK, guitarist and vocalist for Gold Coast blues trio the MASON RACK BAND, tells KRISSI WEISS why he rarely plays in Brisbane and how he got his band together.
The Mason Rack Band play up-tempo blues with a variety of influences. As Rack tells me they do not play My Baby Left Me-style blues and their stage show has been refined to be quite spectacular – apparently these days there’s an entrance with the band just wearing their underwear. When I catch up with Rack he is spending a rainy day writing and getting ready for what is set to be a busy year for the band, with shows booked until the end of 2011, including a two month tour of Canada.
I start off by asking Rack what his influences have been lately. “Muse lately is an influence for me,” Rack says. “I like all sorts of stuff; I like Steppenwolf, Tom Waits, and for doing this kind of work, I guess it was kinda my dad who influenced me and the people who come to the gigs ... We cross over into other styles, [but] his influence would be the stage stuff that we do, the showmanship stuff.”
Having been together for two years now, Rack has put together a trio with Joel Purkess (drummer, hailing from Canada) and Nathan Lee Archer (bass, originally from Tasmania). “I was touring Canada for the third time, I was going there for quite a while and I needed drums, so I found Joel on a website for available musicians,” Rack explains. “I brought him back here … and then I needed a bass player, so I found Nathan. I advertised and found him the same way ... I actually just sponsored Joel to come back because he had run out of visas. It was either sponsor him or marry him, so we chose to sponsor him. There was a bunch of paperwork, but the authorities helped us out and we’re really happy to have him back.”
Despite the fact Rack lives on the Gold Coast he tells me that he doesn’t often play in Brisbane, and that he feels the musical climate is not financially viable. We like to think of Brisbane as a close-knit community brimming with musical talent, but apparently it is not that easy when music is a full-time job. “I can count the time I’ve played in Brisbane on one hand,” he says. “I do everywhere else. All up and down the East Coast and the Gold Coast. The only time I really play Brisbane is for festivals – Caxton Street festival or Brisbane Blues Fest. We do this for a living so we gotta play gigs that we get paid at. Some of the times those gigs in Brissy don’t pay, and that’s because there’s a thousand bands in Brisbane ready to play for nothing and who just do it on the weekends ... It was hard doing this full time in the beginning, but now it is a little easier. I just need to focus on the media and promo side of things.”
The MASON RACK BAND will be at the Brisbane Blues Festival – Tempo Hotel, Saturday May 14 – with Dillon James Band, Tim Gaze, Asa Broomhall Band and many more. Tickets are $25. Head to www.brisbanebluesfestival.com for more info. LIMITS OF GRIP is out now. www.masonrack.com - Rave Magazine

see youtube clips... canadian tours, fest, etc...thank you.. - mason

hey man watched you guys play at palmy on sunday thought you's where fuking great. definetly come see u again this sunday at currumbin. i play a bit of bass myself and thought ur bas player was majic.. im looking to get some lessons and was wondering if he does lessons himself or reccomends anyone?well ill seeya this sunday might come up and say hi to yous.have a good one from rory
- TROY

The following was submitted on June 11th, 2007 at 04:27AM (EDT).Subject: Mason Rack Website Submissionfirstname: Vikcompany: Choppingemail: vik_meister@hotmail.commobile: 0407283388fax: 02 65845340other: Saying Gdaycomment: Hello just want to let you guys know how awesome your gigs were at Finnians irish pub in Port Macqaurie. Without a doubt one of the best bands we've had perform there. Cant wait til you all return to bless us with your talent again. Rumour has it your back on the 27th and 28th July.. If thats true then I'll have the best birthday weekend one could hope for. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Take care.. enjoy your touring... wow picked the cold climate to head off to. brrrrr Cheers Vik
- VIKI

Hey there!

Sam here, from the Guitar Festival. I hope this email finds you very well!



Things are finally winding up for us here at the Guitar Festival – with most wash-ups and catch-ups now over. We have had some absolutely wonderful feedback from all areas of our community and are very happy with how the festival turned out as a whole.



Thank you so much, once again for being such a fantastic part of it. Mason, we had so many wonderful comments about your performance, and your generosity to share your thoughts and experiences and chat to the audiences.



FYI – Sarah is out of the office now and won’t be returning until Monday 17 January. She is taking a very well earned break overseas. If you need anything at all, Jeremy will be here in the office until next Friday 24th December. From that date until the 17th Jan, the Guitar Festival Office will be operationally closed. If there is anything urgent, please contact Michelle Shipard (Executive Assistant, Creative Programs) on 8216 8636.



I have attached some media clippings for you – for your records..and here is a review: http://www.glamadelaide.com.au/main/mason-rack-band-%E2%80%93-adelaide-international-guitar-festival-2010/



Thank you once again, so much.



- ADELAIDE FESTIVAL CENTRE

MATE!....GREAT TO SEE YOU BOYS AT BRIDGETOWN!!!!....PURE ENTERTAINMENT!!....HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK NEXT YEAR AS THE HEADLINE ACT ...I'M A LOCAL AND THE TOWN IS ABUZZ WITH 'MASON RACK WAS THE BEST THING HERE BY A MILE!!'

CHEERS

BIG - BRIAN BIGS

Rude Boeckler <rudedawg@mts.net> wrote:Mason, I have seen a lot from here to Europe and must say, so far you beat outeven people like Roger Waters or Santana. Jimi Hendrix could take lessons fromyou! You are the best performer I have seen yet in 35 years. That goes for\\\\\\\"The Mexican\\\\\\\" and your Drummer. But fter all you are the drivinfforse. It was an honour to meet you and play just before your jaw droppingshow. Well done, Mate! Please keep in touch with us
- RUBE BOECKLER