Waiting for Guinness formed as a spontaneous collaboration between friends who had played music together in various bands over the years. A very early gig involving some of the current members was at an Irish Pub, hence the name of the band: we were christened “Waiting for Guinness” on a whim by a mate. Although the music is quite unrelated to Irish ditties, we decided to keep our birth name, and the literary pun on “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett is further fuel for the ambiguity of the name...
In the beginning (circa ’96,’97) WFG was a busking unit: David Stephenson on Trumpet and Vocals, and Guitarist Dirk Kruithof who taught himself rudimentary Banjo as they played on the streets of the Rocks/Circular Quay. The repertoire was Tom Waits, old Be-Bop Jazz tunes, and original compositions delivered with zeal by “Harry”, the Trumpeter’s menacing and maniacal alter ego.
Also joining in was Serge Stanley on Saxophone / Vocals who added a fuller sound, more Jazz numbers and harmony for the Trumpet. Serge had a razor sharp wit that spawned many original songs including his satire-noir, political masterpiece “Keeping out the Riff Raff”, about the current government’s refugee policies, recorded on their first album.
Still busking at this time, WFG were being approached to play parties and functions and the band started to grow. Alan Lew on Double bass and Alex Crouch on Guitar and spoons were added to the flexible ‘band of gypsies’ line up. As the momentum gathered, more gigs were organised and the band headed into pubs and venues with the arrival of Marko Simec, who brought the distinctive sounds of the Piano Accordion, Vocals and Percussion, and Nigel Hoffmann pounding the skins of his Drums. This eclectic home-brew had developed into a formidable 7 piece, which played solidly in and around Sydney for 18 months or so, before recording their first self-titled 10 track album, live in the studio with Bob Scott, and released it in 2003.
Soon after releasing the CD, Serge left for work in New York and the band continued as a six piece until the arrival of Trevor Brown, who brought the harmony of the blistering Trumpet / Sax combination back with his alto and soprano Saxophones and also Flute. Around this time, ‘Big Al’ Lew on Bass departed and Lino Romeo joined us with his ‘Guitaron’ a unique, Mexican Mariachi Bass. Dave and Lino had played together in a Mariachi band and brought some of these Latin flavours to the ever widening influences of the band and their unique sound. All band members have developed their skills as songwriters over the years and their latest album “The Show” is a testament to that drive to create passionate, heart felt, soulful music with 5 different writers, 5 approaches but achieving a coherent sound and style that is characteristically “Waiting for Guinness”.
Exactly one year after their first album release, WFG are soon to be launching their second independent album titled “The Show” through Vitamin Distribution. The flavours on this album can still be described as Gypsy-Punk, Garage Cabaret but with a Spaghetti Western, Mariachi spice added to the brew. With “The Show”, the evolution is impressive.
Recorded live over 3 days at Sony Studios and Dodgy Sound Studios, Sydney, Bob Scott has again captured their unique and engaging live energy for all to savour. The inclusion of Daniel Weltlinger on Violin brings a beautiful Gypsy flavour to round off the albums lushness. Although it may touch upon the Kitsch and Hip, “The Show” has a depth and integrity that transcends these terms and a spontaneity that comes from recording at break-neck speed.
And in concert, live and spontaneous is what you get. The theatrical element is as strong as ever, harking back to their origins of busking. Waiting for Guinness delivers a performance raw with passion and gusto.
"Not pretty but zealously romantic" - Miles Merrill, The Program
"A little madness is a must. For the emotions to truly have sway, a little madness must infest the air like pollen in the hay fever season" - CD review - John Shand, SMH
