Metropolis Touring and Tombowler Presents: STAN RIDGWAY Live in Australia

 

Stan Ridgway is a true original. One of the most unique and gifted singer/songwriters in American music, from his early days with L.A.’s Wall Of Voodoo, to his even more intriguing solo career, Ridgway continues to create an impressive body of work.

“Stan Ridgway’s post-Wall of Voodoo output has cemented his neo-noir rep as one of American music’s greatest storytellers, the wild and wily Steinbeck of sad whiskey railroads and rusted, ramshackle American dreams.” Austin Chronicle

Raised in L.A., Ridgway began his love affair with South-western gothic 30 years ago as front man and co-founder of vanguard art-punks Wall of Voodoo, a band originally formed with the intention of scoring low-budget horror flicks. Wall of Voodoo’s first album Dark Continent sounded unlike anything else – merging film soundtrack music, electronics, western mythology and Ridgway’s highly stylized, cinematic narratives influenced by science fiction, film noir, and the ironies inside the American Dream.

The follow up, Ridgway’s last with the band, Call of the West produced a bona fide Australian Top 40 bona fide hit in “Mexican Radio“. Post breakup, Ridgway embarked on a popular solo career and continued melding his dark and twisted musical song writing style with his interest in cinematic music styles resulting in comparisons to such iconic artists as Johnny Cash and Tom Waits.

“Some know him just as the long lost singer with the great Wall Of Voodoo, others as one of the great unsung maverick geniuses of our time.” Melody Maker

A mad scientist of sound and vision, Ridgway has kept himself busy, releasing a staggering 12 albums including, most recently, Mr. Trouble, which has been described as “Probably the most compelling portrait of American social life to appear on a rock ‘n’ roll record since Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.” Art Forum

 

“Haunted by America’s pulp serial past, Stan Ridgway has become his own wireless theater.” The Face

Ridgway will be joined on his first Australian tour in over 15 years with long time cohorts Pietra Wexstun on keyboards, melodica and vocals, and Rick King on guitar, bass and vocals and Bruce Zelesnik on drums and percussion.

Expect a thoroughly entertaining evening with one of America’s greatest songwriters and storytellers as Ridgway draws on his impressive deep catalogue from his classic solo albums with songs such as Camouflage, The Big Heat,  Don’t Box Me In and Drive She Said as well as seminal Wall of Voodoo favourites such as Lost Weekend, Mexican Radio, Ring of Fire and Call of the West. Expect a celebration in song, story and spoken word.

“World domination is not in my plans. I’m content to build my own little empire of the ants.” Stan Ridgway

Proudly supported by Triple R, SPA and Noise11

Australian Tour Dates. May 2013

Thu 16^th – Sydney – Basement

Fri 17^th – Sydney – Factory Theatre

Sat 18^th – Melbourne – Corner Hotel

Sun 19^th – Melbourne – Caravan Club

Tickets are only $49 + bf and are available from metropolistouring.com or the venues.

There are a limited number of VIP Meet and Greet Packages available for Factory Theatre and Corner Hotel.

Tickets on sale Friday 7^th December

 

Category: News