Last year saw big changes for country rockers The Wolverines. Keyboard player, Chris Doyle, retired with Darren Lane stepping into the roll and Shane Nichamin was given the hat for vocals & bass. If you have’t caught the new lineup, March’s Campfire Festival at Hope Estate is the perfect excuse.
We chatted to drummer, John Clinton, about the band and what they expect when they take to the stage on March 13 and 14 for the very first Campfire Festival.
Why should people get in early to see you guys?
“Well the festival is serving up the best first” he laughs.
“We’re excited to be doing the show; it’s the first Campfire Festival. It’s great to see them having a go. We’ll be having a good time. It doesn’t get much better than this venue. We’re on the Shiraz Stage, so I’m expecting some good wines in the green room”
We ask John what he thinks is different about a country music festival in comparison to a pop or alternative music festival.
“I think the country artists, in general, rely more on the words and the message” he explains.
“We’re also very close to the people who come to see us. At a festival like this ,it’s not uncommon to see artists mixing with the crowd, getting photos. It just creates a great atmosphere, especially in the Hunter Valley”
John is such a nice bloke. Our chat is friendly, and he easily moves from one topic to the next, so we had to ask him why his band are known as “The Bad Boys of Country”?
“I don’t know, actually. It’s probably the looks. We’ve done lots of work for charity, we’re constantly helping those less fortunate, not that me make it an issue. It’s just something we do because of our notoriety”
Growing a beard has become quite fashionable in recent times, but looking at John, we get the feeling he’s been growing his for some time.
“Yeah, it’s a bit more than a 5 o’clock shadow, isn’t it? I’ve had it for years, but once you reach 10 years, it stops growing,” he says.
Out of all the other acts that will take to the stage over the weekend, John is really keen to see John Butler strut this stuff.
“I’d love to see John Butler if we get the chance. He’s a fantastic artist, his band is something else. I’ve been to one of his drummers’ clinics in Sydney. He’s a freak on the drums that’s for sure”
Also on the festival bill are Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan and Aussie rocker Shannon Noll. They’ll join many other including locals Bob Corbett and Lauren Wheatley.
