By Kath Gannaway
It’s a long way from busking out the front of AJ’s Bakehouse in Healesville to a national tour, but it’s just part of an ongoing journey for Healesville musician Ash King.
King’s band Smoke Stack Rhino played at The Who Club in Warburton on Saturday night as part of their ‘Love and Other Monsters’ album tour.
The tour will see them play 17 shows in five states and territories and notch up 5000-plus kilometres.
Joining King (guitar, vocals, keys and blues harp) are Dave Sirianni (vocals/guitar), Shane Andison (bass) and Jeremy Berg (drums/vocals).
The band formed in 2013 around a concept of “bringing the blues back to the mosh pit” and has successfully reconciled the gap across the blues, roots and rock music genres.
King has proved his endurance for the journey going from busking to competing in the local battles of the bands and launching his first solo album to finally fulfilling his dream of being in a touring band.
Endurance paid off again with ‘Love and Other Monsters’ self-funded through two years of live performances.
Smoke Stack Rhino has one final performance near to home at the Sooki Lounge in Belgrave on Thursday, 16 February, before heading off of the national tour.
Joining Smoke Stack Rhino are six-piece soul band, Mayfield, and acoustic roots guitarist, David Knight.
Visit Smoke Stack Rhino on Facebook for more information on the band and full tour information.
