The Driving Conditions

The Roadhouse, just outside of Wollongong, has hosted many a night of music. Acts as diverse as BJ Thomas to Wolfmother have entertained many an Australian crowd down on the South Coast. Formerly known as the Yallah Woolshed, and still looking like sheep may have been there recently, it is a fantastic venue and was the setting for Headstock 2007: A Guitar Festival. The Roadhouse may be on the way out as a venue, according to some mumbling patron I encountered, but I do not think it had ever seen a line-up of local and international guitarists like this before. The brain-child of one John Ward, of Only Blues Music (a Blues music distributor based in Australia), Headstock 2007 was a night of glorious wailing guitars and rockin' blues.From the USA we were entertained by the slide and stories of Doug McLeod and Steve Arvey from Chicago. Steve also loved playing the MC for most of the event and stumbled and laughed his way around some antipodean place names that he had never tried to pronounce before. Failing to make it to the kick-off of Headstock due to travel arrangements, I was a tad disappointed at the turn-out when I showed up around 5PM, already 4 hours into the fest, and discovered a venue not quite filled to the rafters. People were scattered around, with only a few on the massive dance floor (or is it the shearing floor?) and Ward's Express were playing some sizzling blues. Julie and I joined the few others on the dance floor and swayed away to the band and then boogied as Ross Ward pulled out his lap slide for his last number. From here on in I could tell it was going to be a fantastic night of guitar slingers down Yallah way!
Bursting onto stage in kilts and underwear and tartan pants were Brisbane's own, The Driving Conditions. This act kind of surprised the blues and roots supporters, but within a song or 2, everyone had their heads bangin' along to some fantastic old time ballsy rock and roll. Nathan Ward, son of the aforementioned Ross Ward, has some fantastic licks and plays this hard driving rock and roll with skill and ease. The small of stature, but big of voice, Woody, blasted his way like a Bon Scott clone through their rock and roll catalogue. With Sol Freeman on bass and Dave Stapleton in undies and sticks the necessary components were all in place. The band was called back for an encore, but Headstock was running a bit late, so we had to live with the memory and the joy of some old school rock and roll. Check these boys out the next time their van comes to your town!
The young Ray Beadle came out and blew some dust out of quite a few ear holes. This got the stalwarts up dancing again, including some dude in a shirt with a gold Jesus on it and his wife who by this time had removed her boots and was grooving across the expansive wooden dancing area! Ray is one of the best young guitarists we have in this country and his singing and playing made for one slick set. Mal Eastick. What can be said about this Aussie icon of rock and blues guitar that has not already been written? Coming out on stage he was all power and class and got right down to what he does best. For me, it was like a night back at the pub in Manly, with a bunch of punters drinking VB and enjoying the vibrant tones of Mal's guitar. And how lucky are we to even have Mal back with us? With his neurological problems behind him it seems, let's hope we get a chance to experience more of Mal. Joining Mal in a very tight energetic set were the former rhythm section of that fantastic old Aussie blues band, The Foreday Riders. Whew! And that lil dude spinning and pointing at Mal from the dance floor had Mal smiling and me crying with laughter. Later I told him I wanted his dance move…it was so pure! Pete Cornelius, from down Tasmania way, was smoking. He ripped through his selections of jump blues, fabulous vocals and smooth guitar playing. Each time I hear him play he seems to improve and I have had the joy of hearing him numerous times in the last 12 months. Make sure you see him the next time he rolls through your neighbourhood withhis band The Deville's. The night ended with most of the guitarists still standing coming up and playing a few tunes together. The Ward's seemed to be truly enjoying themselves, Mal and Pete had some shit eating grins on their faces and all in all everyone on the stage looked like the night was a success for them. We can't say the same for the turn out on the night. Even with a good deal of promotional work around the media, there were fewer then 200 people through the doors on the night. We in attendance know what they missed and we can say we were at Headstock 2007. Till next time, keep those blues turned on and support your local and international blues musicians whenever and wherever you can. Keep the faith.
- Paul Busch on www.fasterlouder.com

I first became aware of TDC when they were preparing for their debut recording in 2005. I sat in on some torrid rehearsals where both the volume and energy levels were redlining. Nathan and the guys were putting in the hard yards and aiming to put every tune through the goalposts for a winner.

That debut CD (NWDC, 2006) revealed a band still finding their sound, but brimming with potential. They were showing their influences on their sleeves - Hendrix, 60s British Blues, hardcore Rock n Roll, even some Jeff Lang!

This year's 6 tracker sees TDC exploding off the blocks with a truly focussed signature sound. It's a new generation channeling the heroes of Oz hard rock and blasting it into C 21. You can tell, that when these guys were bubs, their cradles were rockin' to their parents' ACDC, Angels, Rose Tatt, Led Zep and Stones LPs. It's in their blood.

Just listen to the leadoff track. If ever the neo-headbanger brigade needed an anthem, "Rock N Roll" is it. Every time I hear it I can see an ocean of fans at some massive stadium event, arms waving and singing in unison. I'm sure TDC will make that vision a reality soon.

Raw, righteous, Ozzie Rebel Rock n Roll.
- Mark 'The Colonel' Doherty 'Nothin But The Blues' (4ZZZ and National Community radio)

THE DRIVING CONDITIONS, MOFO IS DEAD, DOZZI Club 299: 24.04.09 The bar is a hotspot early as the impending12am Anzac Day curfew forces punters to get their regulation Friday night drinks in early for the trio of upcoming bands. The first band to take the slot for the night is local lasses Dozzi: tipping hard against the “pop” side of things, the trio feel like a strange choice of opening act but do their best to swing the crowd around. Opening with ‘The Way That It Goes’ they offer a strong performance and impressive three-part harmonies, with Andrea Dozzi particularly shining. They hold strong for the most part but are constantly getting brought down by timing issues and a lack of energy. A late addition of the 4 Non Blondes classic ‘What’s Goin’ On’ is a nice finishing touch. A bellowing bass sample introduces fresh meat Mofo Is Dead, and with an epic intro like that they need to follow suit – luckily ‘Resistance Is Futile’ fills that slot nicely. Featuring soaring guitar lines meshing with a flickering rhythm section, it’s a strange but intoxicating mix of new prog-rock and classic Guns ‘N Roses riffs led by frontman Paul Gallagher’s undeniable six-string talent and effortless vocals. With an obviously well-polished song catalogue despite only a few shows’ experience their craft is well-tuned, and they execute ‘The Pretty Ones’ with perfection before a crowning ‘Unnameable’ offers an obliterating finish that will hopefully see them continuing around the Brisbane circuit. As the whole room is now pressing to the front, a stage draped with tartan awaits local rockers The Driving Conditions. As soon as they step onto the stage the entire room dynamic shifts and is set alight by the sounds of ‘Straight To Hell’. With frontman ‘Woody’ strolling the stage with piercing Bon Scott vocals it’s no surprise that the sweat is already starting to fly from crowd and band alike. Straight up rock is probably the only way to describe these guys as they follow with ‘Black Hawk Down’. Dripping with bourbon and perspiration they kick it up another notch with ‘Eat You Alive’ and ‘Rock N Roll’. But it’s not just the great pub tunes that are getting the crowd working, it’s the fact that these guys are actually good musicians, which is a rare thing to see in guitar-driven rock. With guitarist Nathan Ward constantly shredding every lick he gets it shows that these guys are the real deal. They throw in a tribute to AC/DC with ‘If You Want Blood’ before charging in with all guns blazing for ‘Old School’. Which begs the question, why the fuck do Airbourne have a deal and these guys don’t? MARK BERESFORD - Time Off Magazine

Bands You Should Know:
The Driving Conditions

Remember the name of this band! Buzz is building around the Brisbane quartet and with an EP down and album imminent. The Driving Conditions have the potential to blow up just like Airbourne before them.

They've been earning a reputation as one of Australia's most exciting and promising rock n roll bands in recent times and one listen to their authentic Aussie Rock, Bon-era AC/DC meets Rose Tattoo in a pub brawl sound, you'll instantly see why.

"We've been hoping for a more of a Milli Vanilli sound!," says guitarist Nathan Ward laughing hysterically. "We've all grown up listening heavily to all the Alberts Aussie rock bands, I guess if you hang out with bricklayers long enough you become one yourself."

And to complete the comparisons, two of the members have strong Scottish roots.

"Yes I and Woody (frontman) are from the Fraser Clan," continues Nathan. "Don't ask whats under our kilts!"

Brought up on AC/DC, The Angels, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Guns N Roses and Jimmi Hendrix to name a few, brothers in law Nathan Ward and Sol Freeman originally set about recording as a blues-rock trio titled Nathan Ward's Driving Conditions in 2005.

But after turning to more of a hard rock direction, The Driving Conditions formed in late 2006 with good mates Woody on vocals and Dave Stapleton on drums. The Rock N Roll EP followed in 2007 alongside appearances with Aussie rock royalty; Rose tattoo, The Angels, Dallas Crane, The Radiators and Jimmy Barnes plus an appearance on national TV during Big Brother Friday Night Live.

But now focus turns toward the the release of the debut album Full Throttle with an accompanying live DVD featuring behind the scenes footage from the studio, film clips, interviews with all band members and Geordie Leach, Mike Goldman and much more.

And in true Aussie style The Driving Conditions are going the DIY route for now, but it won't be long before they get snapped up, perhaps by Alberts, the same label as their heroes?

"we're still an independent band," adds Nathan. "But on all our albums we've had Geordie Leach from Rose Tattoo & Buster Brown produce us. On the new one we've also had the help of Jeff Lovejoy (Engineer) with Greg Clarke and Steve Smart mastering."

And once the album is out, then what?
"Sex, drugs and rock n roll and you all invited."

Written By, Tim Baker.
Editor and chief
Dirty Rock Magazine
January 2009 - Tim Baker, Editor and Chief Dirty Rock Magazine, January 2009