Gavin Doniger’s Mescalito Blues

Mescalito Blues combines the gritty vocals, swampy blues guitar and rhythmic stomp box of Gavin Doniger with the boot stomping guitar, and hypnotic harmonica of Mattie Barker.Fast building a reputation for blazing live shows that resonate with audiences from all walks of life, Mescalito Blues are as comfortable playing intimate shows to blues aficionados in Brisbane as a room full of rambunctious backpackers in Byron – their uncanny ability to seduce crowds with their potent blend dirty blues knows no boundaries.The rich Mescalito Blues sound also belies the fact the band is only two members strong. After playing multiple roles in other band formations, and having honed their multi-instrumentalists skills as solo performers, both Mattie and Gavin are adept at weaving walls of dynamic sound on their own. So it stands to reason when this duo come together, they produce a sound much fuller and grander than the sum of their parts.This modern incarnation of Mescalito Blues took shape when Mattie and Gavin met while touring in W.A. with band The Indigo Frequency. Mattie was playing bass, while Gav was playing drums. Realising their musical styles had synergy, Gav invited Mattie to resurrect his long-running side project, Mescalito Blues.Before Mescalito, Gavin had mucked around in various bands before finding his feet as a front man of Viva Gold from 2002-2005, a rock band heavily influenced by the swagger of outfits like Guns n Roses. Bored with straight rock and keen to indulge his dirty blues tendencies further, Gavin formed the first version of Mescalito Blues in 2005.Taking an overseas sabbatical in 2007 to play solo through the U.S. for a just under a year, Gavin bounced around famous locales like Hollywood and Seattle before soaking up the sights and sounds of Nashville for 3 months. The experience left him invigorated and chomping at the bit to unleash some fresh blues goodness back home.Returning to Australia to take part in the Indigo Frequency experience, Gavin slammed headlong into Mattie and Mescalito Blues, version 2, was born. Mattie plays bass, guitar and harmonica. Gavin sings and plays guitar and stomp box.Their sound is something Gavin jokingly describes as" swamp, stomp, bluesy hillbilly-ism." Others may like to classify it as blues with southern rock overtones, with the odd folk tune homage thrown in for good measure. But whatever you call their brand of music, Mescalito Blues sure know how to show audiences a good time.Despite several independent releases under the Mescalito Blues name, Gavin agrees the best way to experience the band is by seeing them live. He attributes this to Mattie, and his ability to act as a conduit of positive and upbeat vibes: "The great thing about playing with Mattie is neither of us is trying to be musical virtuosos – we just really enjoy playing music, and he is as passionate as I am. He is a vibrant, happy person, and he gives off a good energy that people cant help but pick up on. "The duo regularly play gigs along the Eastern seaboard, especially the coastal fringe surrounding their current base on the Gold Coast. The Mescalito Blues stomping grounds include venues from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to the North, down to Byron Bay, Yamba, and Lennox in the South, with regular stints closer to home at happening Gold Coast venues like The Ivory, The Loft, and The Cavern.Yet with the travelling bug firmly planted in their DNA, Mescalito Blues are constantly on the lookout for potential tours further a field, and are lining up tours to distant shores as we speak.