Bill Dettmer

Music:

Member Since: 8/3/2006
Band Website: billdettmer.com.au
Band Members:
Influences: I was fired up in the first place by the great rock and rollers of the past like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Bill Haley... My first bands attempted to capture their sounds. Then through the 70's, 80's, 90's I rolled with the changes and wove in newer material as it came along. I had a folk period, a thrash period, a glam period and even played with a punk band for a while in the late 70's.. So many forgettable groups, so many wonderful players. Most of my gigs over the years though have been me, a guitar and a stomp box, just doin' the blues thang. When I started doing solo gigs I worked as Billy Clarke for a while.. not sure why...My guitars include 2 fabulous hand-made Cargill instruments from Seaford, Victoria here in Oz. The acoustic was made by Jim in about 2001, the unbelievable black one you see in a couple of pic's is based on the 700 series Gibson and was made by his father Merv in 1964. I'm stoked to own these fabulous treasures.My favourite writers are Leon Russell, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Paul Simon (what an awesome new album) David Wilcox, Randy Newman, Ross (the boss) Wilson, Shane Howard, Paul Kelly, Tim and Neil Finn etc. all the great songwriters with their unique voices, an individual style and something strong to say. I like words more than music.Inspirations... I always wanted to play like Mike McLellan ( I'm nearly there)and love the work of Phil Manning, Tommy Emmanuel, Geoff Achison, Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Bob Spencer, Jimi Hocking ... and a host of other great players. Best Australian band ever Skyhooks... though Daddy Cool sometimes sneak over the top. Truly unique voices in the Oz rock field. Mike Rudd. Russell Morris. Clare Bowditch. Ben Lee. Bernard Fanning. Favourite album: Joni Mitchell - Blue.
Sounds Like: Little Willy and the Hopeless Romantics are a mixed bag of itinerant winos and junkies I picked up in St Kilda. They don't really sound like anybody particular, but cruise beautifully through my original music and groove into a bunch of Blues Classics. Regulars in the band include Keith Rea on guitar. Keith plays with Men In Black and Mama's Mountain Jug Band. John Walton on Bass and Glenn Wilkinson on Drums. Then there's a list of extras as long as your arm who drift in and out depending on the size of the venue, the size of the payola and the size of the drinks rider.
Record Label: Bears Choice Music
Type of Label: Indie