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It all began in 2016 when, after 50 years, on and off, as a professional musician, singer Tony Cini finally decided it was time to cut an album of original blues-based songs. Heading into the studio with the three-piece Chase The Sun, led by singer and guitarist Jan Rynsaardt, with some additional organ work courtesy Lachy Doley, the result was a powerful ten-song rock-blues album. Since it was as much a band as a solo record, rather than put it out under his own name, Cini decided to release it as The Arc Riders on his own Bad Penny Records. Alongside six songs Cini had cowritten, he included four classic blues-rock covers – two from the legendary Peter Green, who founded the original Fleetwood Mac back in 1967, Frankie Miller’s Jealousy and, his all-time hero, the late great Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher’s Moonchild. The Arc Riders CD topped the Australian Blues n Roots Charts and stayed in that charts for six weeks. Cini’s own musical journey took off in earnest in 1973 when he was invited to join a band of young Sydney rockers who eventually became Geeza. After a 20-year hiatus – like John Lennon said, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans” – he joined what turned to be the hardest-working band on the Sydney circuit for a good 25 years, The Ginhouse Blues Band.
In order to tour The Arc Riders album, Cini put together a top-notch combo featuring guitarist Ewen Lund, keyboards player Mikki Dunn, bass player Jed Wesley-Smith and drummer Mick O'Shea.
Influenced by blues greats Albert King and Roy Buchanan, guitarist Ewen Lund has only been playing for some five years but has already worked with, among others the Mitch Anderson and Harry Brus bands.
Bass player extraordinaire, Jed Wesley-Smith has been playing with the band for the past 10 months. Jed has toured with a number of bands including Bek Jenson and has proven he is a force to be reckoned with. He fits into band nicely.
Still only 23, The Arc Riders is keyboards player Mikki Dunne’s first professional outfit and cites ‘70s American keyboards wizard Edgar Winter as his main influence.
Mick O'Shea is one of the country's most sought after drummers. He has been a member of some of Australia's top bands including:
Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs
Rose Tattoo
Dragon
Choir Boys
The Arc Riders feel privileged and honoured to have this powerhouse drummer on board.
So, will you please welcome back The Arc Riders:
Tony Cini – vocals
Ewen Lund – guitars
Mikki Dunne – keyboards/piano
Jed Wesley-Smith – bass
Mick O'Shea– drums
The Arc Riders, The Arc Riders
Out now on Bad Penny Records
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dicey Riley's Hotel, 325-327 Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia,Wollongong, New South Wales
