G'day,

Another Australian here. I play in two bands (but never on the same night).

One band is similar to Alan of Australia's, in that we focus on collected Australian material along with the usual Aussie bush band repertoire begged, borrowed or stolen from mostly Anglo-Celtic sources. It's called Nodding Thistles (from the introduced noxious weed of the same name) and includes accordion, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass.

The other band I've just joined is an unapologetic mob of folk rock noise-makers who probably shouldn't be let out after dark, called Cocky's Joy. Traditional material with fiddle, mandolin and whistle, but with a rocking rhythm section of electric guitar, bass and drums. Lock up your daughters.

But it was Nodding Thistles who kept the crowd jumping last night for St Patrick's Day. Tradition wins again!

Bruce