STONEY BROKE and THE HI-SPENDERS book by Rocky Dabscheck and 42/68 ROCKY and THE TWO BOB MILLIONAIRES CD.

STONEY BROKE and THE HI-SPENDERS

 At some stage in the mid 80’s I became intrigued by a WW2 story I’d heard. Australian soldiers were sent north of Darwin, and forgotten about by their military superiors. Fortunately for one and all, they were not so arrogant that they deigned help from the local Aborigines beneath them. Their ultimate survival, a testament to the sublime local knowledge and wisdom of these long standing inhabitants of that land.

The story stayed with me. I knew nothing about Aboriginal culture. Why would I? Back then, life in suburban Melbourne was so removed from the Aborigine ways and means, I may as well have been brought up in Stockholm.

‘Stoney Broke and The Hi- Spenders’ is very much the tale of what ensued once I tried to rectify my lack of knowledge. I travelled north to Darwin to research the WW2 story, but in the book, it is only mentioned in passing,

My internal  journey was in getting to know the wonderful, crazy,  eccentric, loveable, enigmatic, frustrating, and ever inventive musicians who were ‘Stoney Broke and the Hi-Spenders.’ A  great Melbourne band, except for the music.

 Back then whitefellas in blackfella bands were a rare commodity. I was one, and I wouldn’t have missed it for quids.

 ROCKY and THE TWO BOB MILLIONAIRES  42/68

Song writing, if you are lucky, may present you with fleeting moments of crystal clear joy. And I mean lucky. If a good tune drops from the tips of your fingers onto your instrument, and you think to yourself, ‘Well fancy that.’ And if you do fancy that, you’ll want more and more of it, regardless of the financial or personal cost to you.

42/68 by ‘Rocky and The Two Bob Millionaires’ hopefully has a moment or two, free from intellect, thought or craft.

The 10 tunes vary in style from each other. Definitely not one mood fits all. The songs were composed on guitar, and all the sounds you’ll hear were created by the musicians and their instruments. No synths, loops, samples etc. Not that there is anything wrong with those tricks of the trade, but I am ‘Old School.’

Postage included in Australia