A LITTLE MORE INFO ABOUT MOONDOG

Began his music career in 1976 as bass player in Northland, N.Z. rock blues band ‘L.A.HOOKER’, was soon sharing lead vocal duties and writing material.

The partnership formed with ‘L.A.HOOKER’s drummer, Mark Wright, continued
until 1999. Most notable were the ‘MOONDOGS’, which formed in Auckland in 1986,
for which he wrote, sang and played guitar. Also formed ‘BLADIE MAE’ for which
he wrote, sang, played bass and harmonica.

By now known professionally as Moondog, he made a move to Nelson in N.Z’s
South Island late in 1999. He continued development of his singer/songwriter,
guitarist solo act, also playing harmonica with local blues bands and touring acts,
as well as playing bass with two tribute bands,’BLUES BROS’ and ‘TEXAS TORNADO’.
He formed his own blues band ‘THE MOONDOG BLUES BAND’

Moondog recorded a seven song CD in Nelson, which included original songs
in various styles, from folk rock to Texas style blues. “ MIKE STANDS”

Moondog has always acknowledged the long term support and influence of his father IAN DANN,also a musician, who had wee Moondog’s musical education going by the time he was three months old with Gene Vincent and Duane Eddy records.

Moving to Melbourne in 2001, he continued his solo act as well as playing bass in various collaborations with local songwriters,‘P D Hale & The Blue Room’, ‘The Living Room’, ‘Robust Ego & The Moondog’, duo ‘Moondog & Moonshine Blues’ / Vic Phillips and ‘The Dean Haitani Band’.

A CD, ‘BUSKING ON THE WIRELESS’ was recorded live-to-air on 3PBS FM in
December 2001 & March 2002, and was released in July 2002.

Made another move, this time to Brisbane, in November 2002, continued his
solo act and bass playing. Toured central Queensland, Northern Territory and northern Western Australia with ‘Greg Bakers Blues Party’ during May, June & July of 2003.

Yet another move, now to Darwin, in October 2003, performing solo, duos
with sax player LEE HARDISTY and percussionist LEON, trios with LEE & LEON and
LEE & MA BLACKMORE and four piece blues band with LEE, LEON & JK on bass.

“The Moondog Blues Band” a trio with JK on bass and Ray Cattermole on drums has been working around the Darwin area keeping the Moondog blues in the news and gathering a solid following of fans.

Compilation CD released as limited edition for gig with PAUL GREENE, which
included songs from previous CD’s plus some live tracks recorded at the Treasury
Casino in Brisbane. “BAYCUZDOZEN” / “HEY DUDE!WHERE’S MY GUITAR?”

Released solo CD “JUMP RIGHT IN” December 2004, recorded in Brisbane with Dean Haitani engineering and playing piano on a track and guitar on two others.

Moondog played as the support act for Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges at the Groove Cafe, Darwin in April '05 and for Jeff Lang at Humpty Doo just south of Darwin in May '05

Live band CD released Oct.30th. "TROPICAL BLUES". Moved home to New Zealand Dec.2005 after a month touring and recording on the East Coast as part of a Trans Tasman project.

Started Sunday arvo Blues sessions at The Poroti Tavern, Mangakahia Road (twin bridges road), Just west of Whangarei with the NZ launch of "JUMP RIGHT IN"... it's a happening thing and it happens "every Sunday untill I get a real job ... not "

A year of reacquainting Northland / Bay of Islands with the old Moondog sound... and the new Moondog sound... both Solo and "MoondogsBluesBand"... after one long cold winter it seemed to be time to head back to the Aussie heat this time based around NEWCASTLE N.S.W...leaving behind the trusty old Sporty and various bits of "stuff" to return to "travellin' light"...

Performing around Newcastle and the lower Hunter solo and with three piece band...surprisingly called MoondogsBluesBand...with a couple of respected local jazz musos...Dave on bass and Pete on drums. Also played two shows at the Newcastle Jazz Festival 2007...one solo and another accompanied by Di Denham on Clarinet and Tenor Sax...its been a bloody cold winter here so after thawing out for the summer Moondog will be hitting the road again and heading north for the next winter...

MOONDATE APRIL 2008 The MOONDOG and GIRLFIEND have just completed a couple of months trippin up the NSW and Queensland coasts, playin n singin n generally goofin off but don't misunderstand... it was a lot of hard work... Moondog took a successful little side tour back to NZ and now is settlin back into the tropical lifestyle in TOWNSVILLE, North Queensland. With two new CD's to pedal and more to record and gigs and the odd bit of interstate as well as across state travel there will be little rest though ... ahhh ain't that the Blues...

OCT2008 Still based in Townsville...NZ tour Dec08 and Jan 09 a break from the big sandy island to the small green islands....off to hug a few trees

April2009...based in Newcastle, NSW but covering the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns...with another trip to NZ in August...Cairns Blues Festival May 3rd and Fortitude Valley Blues Festival, Brisbane July 25th