Walking through the doors of Kings Beach Tavern, and there's already a hefty crowd dispersed in the back room. Straight to the bar I go and order myself a schooner, while taking in what's happening around me.

Local strummer, Ryan Toohey is up on stage right now. Such a smooth voice with a lot of passion in the way he's putting the music out there. The guy plays with a lot of heart and soul, and given that the majority of us are there to get down and dirty with some blues, Ryan's music is pretty damn emotional... but in a good way.

This is my first experience of the force that is Transvaal Diamond Syndicate. I have seen the name splashed around a bit, but to be honest, I haven't really taken it in. It sinks in from the first song what I've been missing. For the uninitiated, TDS are a 2-piece stompin' blues band. Two guys - Christian on the staple of blues music, the resonator (guitar) and Tim on drums, both adding vocals, but Christian with the bulk of it. This is the heaviest sounding band I've heard in a while. It just goes to show that you don't need to be metal to be heavy. The Brisbane duo bring killer stomping breakdowns and grooves that, if they don't get you dancing, at the very VERY least you won't be able to control yourself from tapping your toes and nodding your head. I had to go get myself some of their merch on the way out.

The main act of the night, Cleveland Blues & The Red Eye Junction, were there to launch their album, Down by the Apple Tree (produced by Brian Goodworth). They've got the crowd in the palm of their hands tonight. Despite some minor technical difficulties, the guys and gal soldier through some heavin' and stompin' dirty blues. Bam Bam on the drums is pure sex, beating the skins and providing the solid beats that propel Cleveland and Dean on harmonica through the set. Throughout their performance, they invite various folks up to join them that have been a part of their journey. You have to love the humbleness of this band and how much they appreciate everyone. Their songs are a good mix of old and new skool blues and they are easily another great example of how you take blues/roots music and make it appeal to EVERYONE.

The CD is a damn good listen to, so I highly advise you get out and see these guys, then buy the album.

Rooster