Interview – Dereck – akaroyfilms.
I don’t think that there would be a person on the planet that could possibly walk away from a Mason Rack band show disappointed. If there is, I’d suggest they used fewer drugs. This band made up of Mason Rack on Vocals, guitar & lap slide, Jamie Roberts – on bass, and Joel”thunder foot ” Purkess- on drums, has toured the world, and treated thousands and thousands of blues music fans with their almost sexual experience.
The first time I ever experienced Mason Rack, was a number of years ago at the Caxton Seafood festival in Brisbane. I heard the sound of metal rolling on the road, and to the amazement of everyone around, mason rack was rolling a beer keg down the street through the crowds towards the stage. The voice on this man is reminiscent of cutting donuts on a gravel patch, with the most powerful amount of soul you could ever put into a voice box. He is a charismatic performer, someone who completely draws you in, and when he’s done, makes you want for more.
The performance at Bluesfest was nothing short of spectacular. There crowd on this perfect Easter Sunday Morning were completely ready for something amazing…and then it happened. Mason Rack band in full swing, the crowd in the tent some 3000 strong, very quickly turned into an overflowing 8000-10000 easy. The band covered many of the signature moves that make Mason Rack Band one of the best to see. The multi-talented musicians interchange half way through the set. There isn’t many bands that can do this and pull it off so well. Mason heads to the drums, and smashes out like a pro. Joel Purkess moves from drum kit to the bass guitar and doesn’t miss a note. Jamie jumps on guitar and vocals, like it was always that way.
Solos were everywhere, Jamie Roberts pumping out a bass solo that could wake Cliff Burton …behind his head… ”thunder” played a drum solo that lifted the roof, and Mason treated his cream coloured Vintage to the thrashing it lives for. The set was finished with the “family” ending. All three band members drumming in unison on beer kegs, tossing the drumsticks with precision timing between themselves like jugglers with chainsaws. The crowd goes nuts for this, and Mason Rack goes down as one of my highlights of Bluesfest 2012. Right up there with Jonny Lang, John Fogerty, and John Butler Trio…Mason Rack Band…If you ever see they are performing near you, and don’t go…punch yourself in the face for me.
MASON RACK- SLIDE GUITAR – LEAD VOCALS .
JOEL PURKESS- PERCUSSION – VOCALS .
JAMIE ROBERTS – BASSIST – VOCALS .
