Photography c.o Vanessa Mills ABC Kimberley Broome Western Australia 2012 & 2015
Radio Larrakia Dawrin Northern Territory
Archived Studio Recording Reviews
The Beat Magazine - Bali, Indonesia Black Swan Eye album review November 2010 Fusing together all the elements that arrive together after a long journey across urban landscapes, Ill Starred Captain have a sound that is truly reminiscent of Australia in its mixed dustbowl of music and culture. This doesn't mean they sound like a two man team on an 'Advance Australia Fair' patriotic pub crawl, as there is no ego here, but a number of pub crawls have certainly been achieved none the less.
With a solid ten years of consistent touring behind them, you could say that Justin Francis (drums) and Scott Bassham (songwriter/ guitarist /singer) are dedicated to keeping it real and on the road. Such an amalgamation as a base for songwriting has resulted in a sound that speaks of country roads, travelling adventures and a myriad of woven stories. The word folk has always drawn needles to my brain, but these guys tell a story that is often defined within folk genres, while strengthening it with a strong rock and blues backbone that is always welcomed with raised beers to any stage.
Hunters and Collectors, The Australian Crawl and even the Black Keys come to mind, as does whiskey, pub smoke and cheap hotel rooms. Scott's vocals are not immediately smooth on the ears, nor is the overall production of the recording, yet there is an honesty there that quickly grows on you and in the end simply adds weight to the background of the duo.
This is the underbelly of the Australian music scene that does not rely on an industry of cash ins. This is the sound of two musicians moving from town to town with a stack of songs that could catch the attention of both the local barfly and the prettiest barmaid. From thick rock grooves to acoustic reflections, it's a sound worth driving to. Check out single 'Four Feet Away' from this second full-length album at www.myspace.com/illstarredcaptain.
"Cracker"
Athron McCann 18th November 2010 Featured on pg 64
DB Magazine - Adelaide - South Australia ‘Yeh Nah’ album review 2006
If you’re unfamiliar with the name, let me bring you up to speed: Ill Starred Captain are a guitar and drums two-piece hailing from Port Lincoln who play their own brand of back porch folk and ‘Yeh Nah’ is their first full – length offering after a couple of independently released E.P.'s. Before you get any ideas, they don’t hold too many similarities to the Black Keys or The White Stripes; instead they go about things in a decidedly more laid back fashion.
The album gets underway with the softly fuzzed guitar of Live Feed which boasts a great vocal melody supplied by singer /guitarist Scott Bassham whilst Justin Francis brings up the rear with his subtly capable drum work. It gives way to the wistful acoustic strums of Day In The Summer Time before the stomping instrumental The Devil Jumped Up ramps up the tempo again.
On tracks like Turn It On and Whistling Down The Wind they remind me a little of Led Zeppelin in acoustic mode, but this duo have a sound all their own. The band has produced the album themselves and have done a fine job, with everything sounding in place without losing any of the live, loose feel. Ill Starred Captain were in town recently and I missed them this time around, but let’s both agree to check them out next time they come our way.
God is in The T.V. Fanzine - Southampton - United Kingdom. 2005
"Ill Starred captain is what happens when the white Stripes, start sounding like White Album-era Beatles".
live show review from Southampton venue, 'The Joiners'. Also the track named 'Trouble' was included onto local agency 'Ejector Seat Music's' .cd. compilation in December 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southscene review - United Kingdom. 2005
Ill Starred Captain cranks things up with ‘Yeh Nah’ track ‘Trouble’. For fans of all things Sub Pop. Nicotine stained vocals (think Mark Lanegan) and bar room style off kilter country grunge rock. Or something like that!
live show review from Southampton venue,'The Joiners', https://joiners.vticket.co.uk/. Also the track named 'Trouble' was included onto local agency 'Ejector Seat Music's' .cd. compilation in December 2004
Port Lincoln times – Natasha Ewendt 2005 Yeh - Nah’ is rhythm - rich, but also has a pastoral sound with spacious moments, as well as funky morsels and cool lyrics.
SOUND ALOUD, live gig review @ The Casbah Sheffield U.K. 2004 First band tonight is an Australian two – piece called Ill Starred Captain currently doing an Ireland / England independent tour. An electro acoustic guitar and drums, the sound nods towards The Pogues and Bob Dylan. The music from this band is fantastic. I’m always dubious of these two pieces as I expect to hear some slow folky inspired metaphors. Not here.
A rather large sound considering there’s only two members. I wouldn't go as far as to say the guitarist is brilliant but rather exceptionally clever. He has the knack of beginning songs with a good foot – stomping rhythm around the first five frets and needs to know every chord possible past the twelfth fret to give that type of solo sound. He has a good voice too. Good stage presence and is one of those people who when he smiles you smile.
The drummer here really adds to the sound what with it being a two piece and the two men really complement each other well and are very tight and have crafted some wonderful songs. The set was very good and never bored me once. The songs varied in style and rhythm. From a hillbilly / rockabilly sound to a rather exceptional surfing song, Ill Starred Captain are a fantastic band to open the night up with.
They were good that they sold a lot of their cd’s and when they hopefully come back in the summer, I recommend any Sheffield band (no matter what genre with the exception of death metal) to put them on in the opening slot with them.