Drummer/percussionist Alastair Kerr is one of Australia's leading Brazilian and jazz drummers.  Based in Melbourne, he leads Panorama Brasil and the Alastair Kerr Quartet as well as being an active freelancer.

Alastair also plays in the Doug de Vries Trio, Dany Maia Band, and Trio Agogo.  As a freelance player he has worked with many of Australia's best jazz musicians, and he appears on a number of recordings with The New Sheiks and the Leigh Barker Quintet.

Al holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and a Masters degree from the Australian National University, both examining improvisation in Brazilian drumming. He has studied with John Riley, Ari Hoenig, Rogerio Boccata, Scott Kettner, Simon Barker, Hamish Stuart, Jorge Alabe, Marcio Bahia, Celso de Almeida and Roberta Valente.  

Al directs the Brazilian Music Ensemble at Monash University in Melbourne and is available for lessons and freelance performance/recording work.

Born in the early 80's The Powerhouse Blues Band was the incarnation of a love for rhythm and blues that was shared by three men; Peter 'Pedro' Gray, Ray Woolley and Ken Mactaggart.

With Ped on Guitar and Vocals, Ray on Bass and Ken pounding the drums the guys belted out renditions of classic blues that they themselves had been raised on.

In the later part of the 80's the guys brought on board a young harp player in Paul Wilson - who's amplified harp took the bands sound right to Chicago.

It wasn't too much longer before the band were recruiting again and fostering the talents of another young player; Chris Sykes on Saxophone. Fresh out of high school Chris could knock the audience dead with his terrific sax style and finesse.

The first half of the 90's the band worked their collective asses off collaborating to record the succesful "Three Ringed Circus" project which helped to raise funds for a local radio station. With the success of this project the band performed on several occasions in venues in Melbourne including the Corner Hotel, the Redhouse and Virgona's.

Shortly after, the band recorded their first album "Move the Pool Table". The album was a fine example of Australian Blues and was distributed by Shock Records and enjoyed moderate success around Australia and Europe.

In their tradition of fostering young talent and showcasing older players, over the last ten years Powerhouse have featured the likes of Sandy Clark - guitarist and singer, Shaun Gardner - keyboard player extraordinaire, Liam Wilkerson - Guitarist & Singer and Anne-Maree DeSiree - singer.

Currently Powerhouse are featuring Sandy Clark on Guitar and Vocals. Powerhouse are also working on some live recordings / new material. Catch them on the road at a blues show near you!

http://dearplasticmusic.com/

We're a 5-piece Melbourne band made up of visual artists, science geeks, and analogue synth wizards. This is our debut album, The Thieves are Babes: http://www.waterfrontrecords.com/product/84387

You might like our tunes if you love Bjork, dig Radiohead, or enjoy that weird feeling you get when you pop on some Scott Walker. 



Drop us a line!: dearplasticband@gmail.com

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