Buzz-cut blues connects dots

SHERMANATOR: Sherman Page winds up his slide guitar.

Steam engines, a huge barn boasting boats and large trucks, paddocks full of Harleys and camper vans, an artisan's home-made cannon and a massive bonfire ... and just to complete the picture, the blues played by local band The Shermanators perched up on the back of one of those truck and trailer units.
Sad I missed that one, especially as we're talking blues ambience and an appreciation of a particular sound that seems to capture a good-timer's ear or a downhearted bloke or gal's inner passion.
I'm hoping to catch up with local passionate blues players over the next few weeks and was greatly interested in this gig listed by Sherman Page as number three on his all-time greatest gig list.
With the firing of that cannon, I reckon Sherman's destiny was confirmed not to be a member of another copycat blues band churning out that same old forced, unstudied, growling vocal / guitar style that never matches the cultural depth of the genre. The Shermanators take a lot of time to rearrange any cover song they attempt and to give it a particular sound. Unfussed by previous versions of anything, it's a particular treat to hear rearranged classics played in a blues style, such as Ghost Riders in the Sky, or reworkings of rockabilly music, Reverend Horton Heat influences and focusing on African-American musical and oral traditions and rock and roll originators. The cooking cry, "Don't tell me how it tastes, let me taste it myself", works well in The Shermanators' context. The taste is fresh blues with a strong electric slide guitar flavour; blues that has passion and heart, played with an honesty and integrity that doesn't rely on gimmicks and flash.
Sherman is a huge fan of live recording and is gathering original material for a record release that will feature the talents of experienced musicians Ned Hunt on bass guitar and vocals, Reo on the drum kit and vocals, and Geoff Follet on keyboards, guitar and vocals.
Growing up in the Muldoon era without television - only radio - in the family home, Sherman became a studious student of blues music after hearing Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Deep Purple and music of that genre at school. Realising that he had to understand where the inspiration for this music came from he quickly began scouring record shops for blues-based music. The past is so present in the blues musical landscape that you can easily connect the dots when looking backwards. Never having heard of artists like Robert Johnson or Muddy Waters, Sherman soon became familiar with a wealth of blues slide guitar favourites. The record collection grew from here in a time when there were no CDs or internet. Music to which we have easy and convenient access now did not exist then. From Buddy Guy being on fire from the first note, Sherman discovered that when you cross into this level of listening, woodshedding or practising Duane Allman and Dave Hole's unique slide playing techniques, dedication will help develop your own style and appreciation of the blues.
The Shermanators can be found playing bars and pubs around and out of town and everywhere in between with recent private parties and an especially well-received recent Cozzy Club gig. If you're wanting to chat "blues style" while getting a haircut, drop into Sherman Page's Barbershop next to The Gatshack for a trim. Be sure to check out his very cool posters, Guitar Heaven and Guitar Hell.