Eighties rockers Bourbon Street have reformed for three gigs in the area before heading north to perform at the Airlie Beach Music Festival in November.
The four-piece rock group made a name for themselves in Australia between 1987 and 1993, during which time they played more live gigs than any other band in Australia.
Their debut album Stronger Than Dirt was released in 1988, followed by Live By Night in 1990. The band’s third album, Time Flies, spawned a hit single with the title track in 1992. Their fourth album Banned for Life which was co-produced by Powderfinger’s Ian Haug was released in 2007, but the band hasn’t been heard from since.
All four original members are geared up for the gigs, which were sparked by an invitation to play at the upcoming Airlie Beach Music Festival. The lineup for this Queensland event boasts a veritable smorgasbord of Australian rock legends including Hoodoo Gurus, Mental As Anything, Kevin Borich, Phil Emmanuel, Brian Cadd, Ross Wilson, Ian Moss, Dragon, Diesel, Kasey Chambers, James Reyne and Glenn Shorrock.
‘We heard about the lineup and felt honoured to be invited to perform among such great company,’ says guitarist Horace Bevan. ‘When rumours of a Bourbon Street comeback started circulating and the demand for gigs emerged on Facebook, the guys all thought why not? So these three gigs were arranged.’
Bourbon Street was renowned for delivering exceptionally powerful and energetic live shows throughout the late 80s and early 90s.
It seemed the band was everywhere – Gold Coast, northern rivers, Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Toowoomba, Coffs Harbour, Tamworth, Lismore, Grafton – there weren’t many places along the east coast that Bourbon Street didn’t visit on a regular basis.
In 1991, the group toured the US. Upon their return, they formed an alliance with Australian rock guitarist Kevin Borich. This enriched version of Bourbon Street toured madly up and down the east coast in the early 90s and recorded together in 1992.
The band is reportedly recording at present with the intention of releasing a single before the year’s end.
The first gig kicks off at this Saturday October 12 at the Southern Cross Tavern in Coolangatta, followed by shows at the Aussie Hotel in Ballina on October 20 and the Byron Bay Brewery on October 26.
For more details and updates you can find Bourbon Street on their website and on Facebook.
Find this and many other great gigs in Echonetdaily’s North Coast Gig Guide.
