The Teskey Brothers – Tuning Fork March 1, 2018

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There’s nothing like a healthy shot of rhythm and blues on a hot summer’s night, and that’s just what The Teskey Brothers served up at Auckland’s Tuning Fork last night, with an emphasis on the blues.

The Melbourne-based quartet has been slogging it out in local pubs for over a decade now and their hard work finally seems to be paying off. When they opened for Angus & Julia Stone last year at The Civic, they generated a good buzz from the folks smart enough to show up early and catch their set.

Now, the band, featuring brothers Josh and Sam Teskey along with Liam Gough (drums) and Brendon Love (bass) have kicked off their first headlining tour of New Zealand. If the show at The Tuning Fork is any indication, this will be a rousing success as the place was packed.

It didn’t hurt that local faves The Miltones were on hand to warm up the crowd…although they didn’t need much encouragement.

The Teskey’s got their show started with Crying Shame, the leadoff track from their album, Half Mile Harvest.  The tune incorporates elements of 50s doo-wop, 60s soul and a healthy dose of the blues…pretty much a primer of what this band is all about.

Lead singer, rhythm guitarist and older brother Josh Teskey is blessed with a classic soul baring voice…think Otis Redding mixed with Gregg Allman, while his little brother Sam is equally talented on the six-string.

Throughout the evening they proved that they could rock, roll and funk the place up, covering the likes of Tampa Red and The Meters, while their own songs stood up well along side of the oldies.

Highlights included Louisa, written by drummer Liam (the entire band writes) and set closer Honeymoon, that allowed the band to stretch out and really show their stuff.

Years ago, blues bands like this could be found in bars and pubs everywhere, but these days with originals such as B.B. King and John Lee Hooker no longer around, and most live music venues catering to the young and hip, blues bands like this are few and far between.

The crowd at The Tuning Fork was a refreshing mix of young and old, everyone receptive to what the band had to offer…especially Sam’s stinging guitar solos and Josh’s soulful vocals.

Yes, thirty years ago, a band like The Teskey Brothers might not have been a big deal, but now, they feel like something special.

Marty Duda

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