Blues Bus is ready to come and play their special version of urban inspired blues. Harking back to the Brit scene of the 60s then leaping onto some classic Jump and Swing ,this band pulls it all together , powerful guitar ,incisive harmonica and a rhythm section that anchors it down with a unrelenting swagger...Blues Bus bring in cameo performances to the mix including Chris “Darky” Wilson on Vocals and Keys. Its all a great treat and an easy to enjoy band. BLUES BUS Biography

In 1992 the cream of Western Australia’s blues and rock talent gathered at the Beaconsfield Hotel, Fremantle, to honour the late Steve Hog, bass player for Ayres Rock and Bakery.

From this, the Blues Bus was formed. The band featured some of the very best of WA’s blues musicians, including Lindsay Wells (Guitar & Vocals), Bob Patient (Dave Hole Band, Keyboards), Steve Cole (Vocals and Harp), Robert Thorne (Guitar and Vocals), Clayton Black (drums) and Scott Lawrence (Bass).

Founder, Robert Thorne, reformed the band in Melbourne 1997 and then in Sydney from 2001.

Now in 2018, the Blues Bus has arrived back again in Melbourne.

Today the line up includes Bob Thorne on guitar /vocals, Roger Nelson on harp /vocals, John Manby on bass/vocals, Peter Hodges on drums, and Special Guest, Chris ”Darkie“ Wilson on keys /vocals. Bob Thorne Guitar and vocals Writer

Robert Thorne has been a professional musician for over 35 years and has played lead guitar for some of Australia’s premier blues artists: Matt Taylor (Chain); Harper (USA & Oz Tour 2000); Blues Bus (Perth)…to name a few.

As the foundation member of “Blues Bus” ,Bob brings together Musicians that share a common passion to express themselves not only on their chosen instruments put as a powerful ensemble being “Blues Bus”

Bob also writes and teaches in Melbourne and now has developed the group to make its contribution to the Australian music scene Roger Nelson Harmonica and vocals

Starting back in the early 70s in Perth, Roger developed his unique harp sound as part of the thriving blues scene. In his band ,”The Kingpins”, he performed regularly in this buoyant time often supporting Dutch Tilders in his visits to the west.

Having moved to Melbourne in his job as an architect in the early 90s, Roger soon got back into the blues groove meeting his colleagues from the Elwood Blues Club.Over the last period he has played regularly with Blues Mountain and recorded on their debut album, which reached no 3 on the Australian blues charts.

He has also recorded for Joe Galea and Brian Baker and been guest for Eddie Bo, Syl Johnson and Stranger Cole on some of their Australian performances More recently with“Oozin Blues”. Aria winning blues band from the 90s as well as guest spots with Matt Dwyer.

He is also an avid collector of microphones and makes bullet mics for harp players under the name ‘Kingtone Mics”.

“Blues Bus” is now enjoying Rogers contribution on Harp and Vocals John Manby Bass and vocals

A professional bass player of over 30 years, since arriving in Melbourne in the late 90’s, John has worked and recorded with many well-known bands and artists on the local and national blues scene including Texas Flood, Phil Para and Bag O’Nails.

Born and bred in Scotland, John relocated to London in the late 80’s where he recorded and toured with well-known UK bands Cado Bell, The Associates and Geno Washington’s Ram Jam Band to name a few.

As a session player, John has worked and played with many independent writers and performers, and his knowledge of and feel for the bass encompasses all musical styles. Peter Hodges Drummer

Peter Hodges is a leading Melbourne drummer known for his versatility having toured and held tenure in many of Melbournes best Blues acts as well as having performed in the Melbourne International Jazz Festival brings his enthusiasm and groove to the mix.

Acts and artists he has played for include Ann McCue, Justin Brady, Ash Grunwald, The Detonators, Louis King, Andrea Marr, Blues Mountain and jazz with Connie Lansberg Quartet.

He has also played with the name acts associated with the EBC...Shannon Bourne, Lloyd Spiegel etc, and recorded with Steve Hadley.

He has also played for the reformed “Oozin Blues”. ARIA winning blues band from the 90s Chris ‘Darkie” Wilson Keyboards and Special Guest

Chris has been a professional muso for over 30 years.

He started in the early 70s playing rock and roll with Angry Anderson. In the 80′s Chris played with “Broderick Smiths Big Combo” and then in the 90′s with Aussie blues band “The Giants” who toured Australia and the USA .

In late 90′s Chris started to do recording full time and concentrated on the studio, expanding with extra rooms and better gear and instruments as well as session work.

20 years of recording in his and many other studios has resulted in a wealth of production and engineering expertise.

Chris also plays regularly and records prolifically and through his association with Bob Thorne, graces the stage with Blues Bus as its special guest

BLUES BUS