THE band Dog Trumpet featuring Reg Mombassa and his brother Peter O’Doherty went straight from playing a sold out studio theatre at the Sydney Opera House to an intimate gig at The Quarterdeck on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Reg and Peter of Mental as Anything fame and the two other band members had the sold-out crowd at the waterfront restaurant in stitches with their amusing banter that interspersed great musical talent.
After the usual encore, Dog Trumpet came out for not one more song but five more with Reg going topless for the last song in his best possum impersonation.
Suddenly for those lucky enough to be there, three and half hours had passed.
Reg said it was a great venue with a great crowd, a great host and food in a beautiful setting.
Dog Trumpet is a family affair spearheaded by brothers Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa, former members of iconic Aria award winning Australian band Mental As Anything.
In 2013, they continue their sonic alchemy of psychedelic folk, country and semi-abstract blues with their sixth and best release, a double album, Medicated Spirits.
Reg is well known for his idiosyncratic work for Mambo Graphics and as a fine artist. Peter is also a successful and much sought after painter.
Dog Trumpet members are no strangers to the region as Reg reminisced about regular Mentals gigs at the Tathra Hotel and associated crazy cricket matches.
Bass player Bernie Hayes has been visiting for 30 years and six years bought a place at Beauty Point, hence the song “Camel Rock” on the new album Medicated Spirits.
Bernie suggested they play the Quarterdeck after the Opera House and then the Milton Theatre on the way down.
And Quarterdeck owner Chris Scroggy has more quality music booked for the next few months including the Backsliders, featuring Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst.
“The Backsliders asked to be booked for another gig right after finishing their last gig,” Chris said.
Other acts booked included Hatfitz and Kara, The April Mayes, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, 4Play and The Alaska New String Band.