Michael Ward is a drummer from Sydney's Marrickville Delta.
Wardy, as he's known, will often challenge himself to create something new from the traditional sound of the drum kit through various bells, whistles, chains and other attachments to the standard kit. One adaptation is a 10" circular saw blade used underneath a conventional cymbal creating a unique sound.
Its this approach to the instrument that has seen Wardy become the first call drummer for many bands and artists, and kept him busy touring Australia extensively for two years with THE RE-MAINS recently, (check out the Live Album "LOVES LAST STAND" which earned a four star review in Rolling Stone, April 2007).
One major highlight was a tour of Canada with CAROLYNA LOVELESS in 2000, culminating in a recording session at Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton, Ontario (built and owned by acclaimed producer and artist Daniel Lanios). There he recorded with musicians that play with many of North Americas top artists such as Bob Dylan, Sarah McLaughlan, Robbie Robertson, Blue Rodeo and The Cowboy Junkies.
Returning to Australia he formed his own band THE BOLDERS, which featured Johnny Gauci (Leonardo's Bride, Johnny G and The E-Types) on Hammond Organ, Dylan Hartas (Joel Turner, Rahtze, Glasgow and The Fourth Wall) on Guitar duties, and poet Filfrea on vox. The group had a two year residency at the Town Hall Hotel Newtown before imploding, as you do...
Currently Wardy's working with LOUIS TILLETT most Sundays at The Sandringham Hotel armed with only a snare drum and the truth, DIRTY DEEDS (AC/DC tribute show), THE HOO HAAS, THE WETSUITS, TUG DUMBLY AND THE HELLSONG GOSPEL CHOIR, in production with NIGHT RADIO for album number three, recording some busted up blues once again with Dave Turner in the DELIRIUM TREMORS project, singing five part harmonies and wholloping a snare drum in THE SLOWDOWNS, discovering the joys of abstract painting on his own canvases with acrylics, as well as squeezing in the odd freelance gig and sessions at call...
Over the years you may have also seen Wardy play with the likes of IAN RILEN, RED HOT POKER DOTS, EVE, KIERAN GLASGOW, JODI MARTIN, TANIA BOWRA, JEFF LANG, SIMON COX, PATSY'S WAKE, DAVID LANE, TONI SWAIN, EXPLODING HAPPINESS, MICHAEL-JOHN AZZOPARDI, THE BLACK TURTLES, TOE SUCKING COWGIRLS, THE FIELD, TONCHI McINTOSH, KITTY ADAMS, THE GENTLE BLOODING, THE RUBBER HUZBANDS, ANGUS JAMES, DEN HANRAHAN, THE PAPER SCISSORS, CHRIS MAWER BAND, TOM CURTAIN, TIJUANA BIBLES, NEON GOATIE, HEADBOY, TOXIC VOMIT blah blah blah ...and the rest!
Check it out!
One punter was overheard calling Wardy "a cross between Dr Suess and Satan", but as you can see below, he's really just a bastard breed of celebrities!