Contact: AGB Consultative Services - Tony PO Box 527 BUNDOORA VIC 3083 M: 0410 600 197 E: info@theprairieoysters.com.au W: www.theprairieoysters.com.au

Introducing one of Australia's best Country Rock bands...

The Prairie Oysters have been raising heck and eyebrows all over the country since 2005 with their brand of country music that's been accurately described by Amazon music as an explosive mix of country, southern rock, blues and rockabilly. The Prairie Oysters have been making friends around the world and they continue to wow audiences with a sound, sense of humor, showmanship and their sense of fun making every gig a party.

Muso’s often get together and say things like “love your work man we should get together and do something”. The Prairie Oysters were no different except for the fact they finally did it. The year was 2005. The guys had their own music commitments but wanted to have a bit of fun and do the occasional gig together. From the very beginning, people immediately began to take notice of their vocal harmonies, slick guitar work, rock solid rhythm section and a set list that crosses into Country, Southern Rock, Rockabilly, Blues and Rock’n’Roll.

Since 2006, their shows have attracted large and diverse crowds including many who don’t normally call themselves country music fans. Needless to say they have become more than just a side project.

Melbourne has always been a tough market for Country Music. The Prairie Oysters are part of a growing scene that is rapidly changing the culture as their shows attract diverse crowds including many who don’t normally listen to Country Music. Their first show in May 2006 at the Ferntree Gully Hotel blew the punters away leaving the hardened Rock'n'Roll crowd wanting more.

Since that first gig in 2006, The Prairie Oysters have achieved a lot and have travelled the country playing everywhere from small farming communities to regional and capital cities. They continue to make new friends around Australia and internationally thanks to album sales and radio airplay.

The Prairie Oysters’ popularity was recognised when the Country Music Guild of Australasia awarded them the Award for Most Popular Country Music Band in 2007, 2009 and 2010.  In 2008, their debut single When The Dust Settles was voted as a top ten finalist for the National Country Music Award and was nominated in the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia in the same year. They are currently finalists for the 2011 Victorian and National Country Music Awards in the National Best Group and Victorian Album of the Year categories.
 
The secret to their success is all down to one very important factor. FUN! Whilst the band is made up of five very competent musicians, more importantly it’s made up of a bunch of blokes who don’t take life too seriously and love doing what they do. been accurately described by Amazon music as an explosive mix of country, southern rock, blues and rockabilly.

Tony Bonnici has been playing in bands since the mid 70s gaining a reputation as a versatile singer and musician. In the 80’s he formed the hard rocking pub outfit, Proprietary Limited and then went on to become the front-man for the Melbourne club band The Most. Tony is also a sound engineer and producer who has worked in many parts of the recording and broadcast industry. Tony grew up listening to Country and Rock’n’Roll and is into “honest music that can kick my butt, make me cry or both”. His bass playing and powerful vocals are crucial to the band’s sound, writing and producing and providing 'grunt' to the overall sound of The Prairie Oysters.
 
As the seasoned subject of drummer jokes, Rob Street has earned the right to shrug them off as he has earned himself a reputation as a versatile and sought after musician. He has played professionally since the early 70s and was a founding member of The Vincents. He was also a member of Rough Cut, and The Most. Rob’s talents also include live sound production working with a number of shows around Melbourne and Victoria. As a drummer, Rob is as solid as a rock and combined with Tony’s bass, creates a tight, chest-pounding foundation. Rob voice adds to the band’s vocal mix offering lead and backing vocals. Rob is also a major songwriter in the band and plays guitar but that will never stop the drummer jokes.
 
Dave Miles joined the Oysters in June 2010. He’s no stranger to the band though, and goes back a number of years with Rob as the bass-player in The Vincents during the 80s and 90s. Dave is originally from Western Australia and began his music career at the age of 12, playing the organ and guitar. Throughout the 70s and early 80s, Dave fronted a number of Perth outfits including the hard rock outfit The Jackals. He's since worked and played all over Australia with different bands playing everything from country to punk. Dave has since rediscovered his country music roots listening to the likes of Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakim, Paul Kelly and John Mellencamp. Dave brings his unique 'mongrel country' style guitar to give the band a hot front line.
 
Jamie Argent-Jones is also West Australian and has been in Melbourne since 2009. Whilst in Fremantle, Jamie was playing everything from Irish drinking songs to underground psych-rock. Since moving to Melbourne, he has been performing with some of Melbourne’s top musicians as the guitarist with Sol Haus And The Spokesmen, a ‘50s and ‘60s R&B/soul revue. Jamie’s interest in country music was sparked in his teens after purchasing a few couple of country records with a like-minded friend. He became increasingly interested in honky-tonk country, blues, western swing and Zydeco, and these varied influences show in his versatile guitar playing. He joined The Prairie Oysters in late 2010.