Spurs For Jesus
Spurs For Jesus are an Australian Alternative country/cowpunk band with elements of satire. They started out as a covers band but have progressed gradually to a healthy proportion of originals.
The genesis of Spurs, as they are known to fans, was when a group of old school friends played a private party at the Agincourt Hotel in Sydney in December 1994. The band started playing regular gigs about April 1995, primarily around the Sydney suburb of Newtown at such venues as the Sandringham Hotel and Warren View Hotel. Influenced by Jason & the Scorchers and The Johnnys, their original set-list consisted entirely of high energy cover-versions, sometimes of bland pop and country hits.
The band have for many years played annual shows at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney on ANZAC Day, National Rugby League Grand Final day, and on Christmas Eve.
Whilst primarily playing in Sydney, Spurs have also played gigs in Melbourne and Brisbane, and regional areas in between, including the Tamworth Country Music Festival. They have supported the likes of The Flying Burrito Brothers, Tony Joe White, The Supersuckers, Southern Culture on the Skids, Corb Lund, The Johnnys, and in 2003 they embarked on an East Coast tour as backing band for Jason Ringenberg of Nashville legends Jason & the Scorchers.
Recorded history
Prior to the band's first release under their own name, Spurs had covers of "On The Inside", the theme from Prisoner, and "Shivers", written by Rowland S. Howard, originally performed by The Boys Next Door, on a couple of low profile compilations.
In 2000 the band released an EP Repenthouse containing a mixture of originals like "This Aint No Place For a Lady,(But You Look Right at Home)", with covers such as "Drugstore Truck Drivin' Man", by Gram Parsons, and "The Gambler", by Kenny Rogers.
In 2006 they released their first full-length CD of all originals, Dark Side of the Saloon on Nonzero Records.
In 2015 they released a split 7" single with Deadwood 76 on Stanley Records.
Group members
- Reverend KD Twang (Kane Dyson ex The Bafres) - vocals
- Mr Spatsy Cline (Matt Allison ex Slaters, Lawnsmell, Finkers) - guitar
- El Moose Morricone (Martin Martini ex The Trilobites, The Upsets, Martin Martini & The Bloody Marys) - guitar
- Miss Dirt Track Daisy (Michelle Ker ex Rum Babas, Booby Traps, Root) - drums
- Gwen Campbell (Tara Doyle ex Fyreflyes, Bored of Education, Euphonic, The Waysmiths) - bass
Past members have included Con Voy (Con Shacallis - The Upsets), Sonny Courtyard (David Keys - The Barbarellas), Bruce Highway (Richard Anderson), Chuck Wagon (Robbie Cove), Ranger Tex Message (Steve Wood - The Whiteliners, The Johnson Creek Drifters), Slim Tablets (Michael Couvret - The Celibate Rifles, Lime Spiders) and Kris Pissedofferson (Matt Brown - Charlie Horse, Cryin' Skies)