Two piece blues rock band Swamp Thing will be appearing at the Whanganui Musicians Club on December 13. Michael Barker, percussion and vocals, was a long-time member of The John Butler Trio and touring drummer for Kiwi legends Split Enz and Tim Finn.
In 2010 he joined with Tauranga singer-songwriter Grant Haua to form the blues duo to play their "swampsongs". Their unique sound of craft-blues music can be heard on their second album, Primordium.
Among the 10 titles on the album are Voodoo Doll, Swamp Thing, The Reckoning, Strung Out, and Hot Potato. Swamp Thing's first album Balladeer was recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios in Auckland in May 2011. In addition to appearances at Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, the Peatsridge Festival New South Wales and Blues at Bridgetown 2011, Swamp Thing supported Tim Finn on his View Is Worth The Climb Australian tour. Last month Swamp Thing was back in Australia as one of the headliners at the Mullum Festival as well as a number of supporting gigs.
To go in the draw for a double pass to the December 13 gig, and two signed CDs to be picked up from the band on the night, email your name to: