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Vic Polyik and The Hammerheads
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Based in:
Sydney NSW
Line up(s) available: 4 piece (quartet) Victor Polyik and The Hammerheads are quickly emerging to be one of Sydney’s finest practitioners of American west-coast blues today. Longtime Canadian blues exponent, Victor Polyik (now a “Sydneysider” once again) fronts “The Hammerheads”. Dubbed by many as a “harmonica ace”, Victor is firmly entrenched in vintage Jump Blues and he’s definitely got the sound and spirit down. Victor moved to Vancouver in 1994 where he honed his skills as a harmonica player and vocalist. Over the years, he’s built-up his own trademark tone that can be heard on numerous elite Canadian blues recordings. Jeff Simmons (Formerly of Frank Zappa’s Mothers), frequently asked Vic to perform and record with him on various off the cuff sessions. Other, revered blues performers who have also used the harmonica services of the eager Aussie include: Shuggie Otis, Jack Lavin (Powder Blues), Guitar Shorty, Amos Garrett to name a few… Back on home ground Victor has been performing with Australian music icon Don Walker on occasion, supplementary to The Lemon Squeezin Daddies as a guest and featured regularly with The Shuffle Kings. Recently he teamed up with Newcastle’s own stunning guitar champ Dino DeVitis, AKA (Jimmy Dean). Dino has also backed many legendary artists both here in Australia and overseas. Together, they are keen to capture the authentic and electrifying sound of the fifties and more. These boys know how to lay it down - pure and simple!
As a Sideman (North America)
As a Sideman (Australia)
Band Bios: Victor Polyik (harmonica, vocals) Australia’s Victor Polyik has been a bright light in the West Coast Blues scene since he took his harps to Vancouver, Canada back in 1994. A long time student of the great Jim Conway, Victor learned great musicality and attitude from his mentor. “Jim Conway got me started,” Victor says, “Jim put me on the path.” The path led to Vancouver and a regular slot in Jack Lavin’s Sunday night house band. Amazingly, the once-a-week gig lasted five years. As a co-founder of Powder Blues, songwriter, producer, Jack is widely respected and generous. It was also in Vancouver where Victor formed his friendship with L.A. Harmonica Ace Mitch Kashmar, receiving valuable harmonica pointers. Mark Dufresne now with Roomful Of Blues also befriended the young Aussie and inspired him to new heights. In 1998 Victor toured the Pacific Northwest with Shuggie Otis, with gig highlights including The Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon. Many other musicians have brought Victor on board in the expanding West Coast Blues/Roots scene, as a guest artist in clubs and concerts including; Mothers Of Invention bassist Jeff Simmons, Amos Garrett, Long John Baldry, Guitar Shorty, Pete Turland (Ray Condo) and more… Victor Polyik’s album “Hypnotized” came in at #2 in Real Blues Magazine’s annual 2004 Top Canadian Blues CD’s (Canadian-Based Artists) Blues Awards. "That Tone!" - Amos Garrett
Dino Devitis aka ‘Jimmie Dean’ has emerged to be a significant trendsetter Australia’s jump blues scene. Dino has spent vast amounts of time on the west coast of North America where he befriended, worked and shared the stage with many celebrated west coast musicians such as Junior Watson, Kid Ramos, Lynwood Slim, Rick Holmstrom, Kirk Fletcher, Freddy Brooks to name a few..In his own words, “those guys took me in as one of their own”. Whilst In Austin, Dino performed at the illustrious and world-renowned blues club, Antone’s. It was at Antone’s where he shared the stage with Jimmy Vaughan and his band. When Lynwood Slim toured Australia in 2002 it was a natural choice for Slim to call on Dino and his band to provide outstanding backing support throughout the Australian tour.
A fresh face to the band line-up is Dave Plenty. Dave is one of those musicians whose sounds are regularly heard yet his face is rarely seen. He's a session musician and one of the most in demand drummers in Australia. His credits include Human Nature, Grace Knight, Jenny Morris, Frank Gambale and for a time was beating skins as a member of the chart topping band 1927. After a two year stint in America where he soaked up some of the finest percussion sagacity on offer, he returned to take up a position at the Australian Institute of Music as Head of Percussion as well as working as a product specialist for Roland.
Rory Brown is a young and energetic upright bassist who represents some of the talent coming out of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the moment. Rory is a sort after bass player in various unique projects, from rhythms of bossa-nova, latin-jazz, reggae, urban funk to old school blues.
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