History . Band Member ProfilesThe band formed in 1997 around a nucleus of roots musicians and fertility dancers who shared a desire to sing a principally UK traditional reportoir. Over the years this focus widened to embrace Cajun, Appalachian, Australian and French music, as well as a growing repertoire of irresistible original songs, including 'Rag and Bone', runner up in the 2004 MusicOz songwriting Awards, 'Johnny in the Morning', runner up in the 2005 MusicOz songwriting Awards, and 'Tyburn Fayre', winner of the 2005 Australian Association of Songwriters Award.
They are regulars at folk clubs from Newcastle down to the Illawarra. A Wheeze and Suck performance is an experience. Colourful costumes, heaps of audience participation, sporadic outbreaks of dancing, and the occasional foray into the audience mid-song marks a band who lives by its belief that their music is built around a shared experience with their growing legion of supporters. This attitude stretches as far as requests for the audience to join in on instruments Band Members
Ian 'The Pump' MacIntoshIan began life as a fine artist, and drifted into Creative Direction for live events as a means to meeting life's growing financial demands. His performing career began sharing stages with such luminaries as Ewan McColl and Peggy Seegar, June Tabor, and other folk acts in the early 1970's. In the mid to late 1970's Ian was the synthesiser player in the terminally obscure 'CETI' Band, and bass player in the 'Weird Druid Cult'. In 1996, Ian was a founder member of the Wheezers. It seemed like a good idea at the time! An artist and traditional dancer, he performs traditional material, as well as original songs about current events and people in the traditional and 'roots' idiom; on guitar and melodeon, all with touch of electronics. The ever-present dress collection is an affectation from Ian's traditional dancing days. Ian (with support from the band) was runner up in the Australian MusicOz songwriting awards in 2004 and 2005. The song 'Tyburn Fayre' (album = 'Vincent Street') won the AAS Songwriters award in 2005. 'My musical influences range from Doc Boggs, Dylan, Donovan, Tom Waits, the Watersons, A L Lloyd, Sacred Harp Singing and the English countryside, to Syd Barrett, Daevid Allen, Captain Beefhart, James Brown and Terry Riley.' 'My literary influences are Kiryl Bonfiglioli, The good Dr. HST, Mandy Scott ('Boudicca' read all four, brilliant!), Tolkein, Allen Ginsberg, Carlos Casteneda, Lewis Carroll, Lord Dunsany, Stan Lee.' 'Artists - anyone who has ever stood before a blank wall, rock, canvas or sheet, and made a mark'.
Tony 'Pyro' PyrzakowskiTony 'PYRO' Pyrzakowski played at Welsh Eisteddfods at the age of six. He studied under Polish virtuoso Waclaw Niemczyk , receiving a Licentiate from the Royal College of Music in the early 70's. While living in London, he was heavily influenced by traditional Irish and English music at the many session bars and clubs. This fuelled his passion for the the music. Since arriving in Australia 30 years ago Tony has played with many bands with differing sounds but finally found his real musical passion with the Wheezers, who he joined 4 years ago. Tony is an exuberant and irrepresible player who has sold his soul to the devil, Pagannini and plays lightning fast jigs, reels and original tunes as well as adding lush melodic accompaniament to the songs. His tenor voice adds rich texture and complements the voices of Ian, Geoff and Nigel in a distinctly Wheezer sound.
Geoff 'One shot Woody' WoodheadGeoff really began to get involved in music via the vibrant folk scene in & around Manchester through the late 1960's & 1970's. For around 8 years, he played guitar & bass in The Union Folk, running folk clubs in Cheshire & supporting artists such as Archie Fisher, Christie Moore, John Kirkpatrick & The Dransfields. He moved to London in 1980 & played in a duo performing traditional, contemporary & humourous material. A move to Australia in 1986 was followed by a number of years of musical inaction but Geoff began to get involved again after moving from Sydney to the NSW Central Coast in 1992. A chance viewing of The Wheezers' performance at the 2001 Patonga Folk Festival whetted Geoff's appetite for the band & he became a Wheezer 'tragic' for several years before being asked to join the band in January 2005. Geoff plays guitar & sings songs inspired by the mist-shrouded moors & dark satanic mills of his native North-West of England. He counts Nic Jones, Fairport Convention, Jake Thackray & The Dransfields among his influences. 'One-Shot' brings some typically Mancunian elegance to the band with his dress shirts, fancy waistcoats & loud ties & when not playing inside-left for The Wheezers, Geoff enjoys family stuff, most sports & has been known to take a pint or two of strong ale at his leisure.
Nigel 'Muddy' WaltersNigel 'Muddy' Walters has been singing and playing folk music since his schooldays in Bath in England's 'West Country'. There with "Lucifer's Hat Band" he performed in local pubs and clubs whilst sampling the local 'scrumpie' and 'Natch' (Natural Dry Cider). Emigrating to Australia in 1988 Nigel has performed with several Sydney based folk bands as well as being a solo performer. A chance to play with the Wheeze and Suck Band appeared in late 1999 when they were short a man or two for some gigs - and Nigel jumped at the chance to play the sort of driving traditional and contemporary songs and tunes of his heritage. Nigel's musical influences include English guitar finger style players and singers Dave Evans, Nic Jones & Martin Simpson. More recently Show of Hands with their haunting lyrics, harmonies and fine playing lead Nigel to journey to Exeter in England to buy a Cello Mandolin made by 'David Oddy'. This instrument helps provide the driving rhythms in the Wheezer's line up. Nigel also plays a Mandolin and Appalachian Dulcimer made by 'Peter Coombe' of Canberra.
John 'Red Tips' MilceAlong with Ian, John is a member of the Sydney Morris Men. After 2 knee operations and recurring back problems he morphed from a dancer into the sides resident drummer in the 1980's. He is (almost) a founding member of the band, having performed at the first paying gig at Hornsby Folk Club in 1996. His attempts to channel Ringo Starr by wearing the former Beatles' jacket, bought on a trip back to Liverpool, have met with limited success. When not hidden at the back of the stage behind Pump and Pyro he wanders the world watching football games. In his spare time he runs Sherborne Consulting, an I.T. Recruitment company" |
