Led by charismatic showman Henry Wagons and described as a ‘local treasure’, WAGONS offer an unlikely mix of stompin grand rock, border-crossing dark country, irresistible crooning and classic pop. They draw upon an uncommon range of influences given the current musical climate, including Vegas era Elvis, Roy Orbison, Adam Green, Johnny Cash, Clockwork Orange synthesisers, 70s trumpets and Cormac MacCarthy. Their live show is a performance like no other, treading a line between a Vegas 70s showroom extravaganza and a bunch of fresh-faced undertakers letting loose at a rained sodden rock festival.
Having spent the last few years supporting and touring with the likes of Justin Townes Earle, The Violent Femmes, Calexico, Bill Callahan, Will Oldham, Okkervil River, John Hiatt and Jolie Holland, it is safe to say that Wagons are road-hardened, formidable live band.
Their latest album, The Rise and Fall of Goodtown, the band’s fourth, has seen them win best group and best album in the 2009 Age EG Awards as well as in the Mess and Noise Readers Poll along with a string of feature album, best live act and record of the year accolades. Henry Wagons was also recently named as one of the ‘Top 100 Most Influential Melbournians’ by The Age Melbourne Magazine. Yet more proof that Wagons” Goodtown is the place to be.