One of Far North Queensland's most enduring bands, Cairns-based Snake Gully plays a combination of traditional Australian folk music, Celtic tunes and originals (including the odd blues) with plenty of pizzazz and splashes of colour from other acoustic styles.
Co-founded by Alan Jones back in 1987, Snake Gully's name has become synonymous with bush music in Far North Queensland. Apart from entertaining countless international visitors, they have performed at the Cairns City Council's Australia Day functions for more than a decade and supported visiting Irish super groups the Furey Brothers, Foster & Allen and Finbar Furey & Bohinta in concerts at the Cairns Civic Theatre.
In the past decade the Snakes have flown the Aussie flag overseas, playing to large crowds at major festivals in China, Finland, Denmark and Estonia.
They have recorded two CDs. Home Among the Gumtrees, comprising some well loved bush favourites, was commissioned by Gene Pierson and was distributed around the globe.
Snakes Alive, which was also recorded in Cairns at Pegasus Studios, saw the band edging away from their trademark Australiana sound, and moving more into Celtic realms.
Snake Gully, which actually started life as a theatrical ensemble, has had numerous personnel changes since its inception in the late 80s. The current line-up comprises multi-instrumentalist Peter Ella, who plays mandolin, fiddle and guitar; lead singer and rhythm guitarist Tony Hillier and double bass player Dave Hart. Harmonica whiz Steve Gilbert left the band at the end of 2007. Founder member Alan Jones usually re-joins the band on Australia Day, while local MP Steve Wettenhall sits in when available. Snake Gully gathered past and present members to celebrate its 25th anniversary at cabaret-type shows at the 2011 Cairns Festival and Tablelands Folk Festival.
PALMER RIVER SONG (C)
RYEBUCK SHEARER (G)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA + Drunken Sailor (D)
OVERLANDERS Am c4 (Dm)
QLD WHALERS G c2 (A)
LACHLAN TIGERS Am c7
MELBOURNE GALS (D into Dm section)
DENIS O'REILLY + Ellas Folly (G/D)
JOG ALONG TIL SHEARING (D)
LAZY HARRYs + tunes (D/G)
FLASH JACK FROM GUNDAGAI (D)
WHEN THE RAIN TUMBLES DOWN (C)
TOMAHAWKIN' FRED D c2 (E)
STREETS OF FORBES (Bm)
GUNDAGAI/YARRAWONGA (G)
WOLLOMOLOO LAIR (G) + DAD tunes
WALTZING MATILDA (Qld version) (C)
HOME AMONG THE GUMTREES (G)
CLICK GO THE SHEARS (C)
STRINGYBARK CREEK Am c2 (Bm)
POOR NED (G)
AUGATHELLA STATION + Drowsy (Em)
BOTANY BAY (C)
FANNIE BAY (Am)
BILLY OF TEA (D)
BALLAD OF 1891 (Am)
BLACK VELVET BAND C c2 (D)
BAND PLAYED WALTZING MATILDA G
WILLIE McBRIDE (G)
NOW I'M EASY (D)
WILD COLONIAL BOY (D)
KAYLENE (D)
FROM LITTLE THINGS C c4
DIRTY OLD TOWN (G-C)
LIGHTHOUSE (Am) c4
LOVE IS THE 7TH WAVE C c4
FRAGILE (Em)
READY FOR THE STORM c2 Em (F#m)
WALTZING FOR DREAMERS D c3 (F)
BRAD BEVEN SONG (G)
THIS AUSTRALIA (C)
LET YOUR SPIRIT SING (Em) c1
BONNIE BOAT (F)
DON'T CLOSE THE MILL DOWN (Dm)
NOT MANY FISH IN THE HARBOUR (Am)
ST JAMES INFIRMIARY c3 Am (Cm)
D.I.Y. BLUES (E)
BOURGEOISE BLUES c2 G (A)
BRAIN CLOUDY BLUES (G)
GOODNIGHT IRENE (G)
WOMAN DOWN IN MEMPHIS C c3
ROLY POLY/TOLGA (G)
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS (C)
DRINKERS OF NT (E)
AUSSIE BBQ SONG (G)
BUSHRANGERS MEDLEY (C)
THE ZIPPER SONG (E)
THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGEDOWN
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FARE
Influences
Bushwackers
Gig Highlights
1993 Promotional appearances in Tokyo
2001 Shouguang International Festival, China
2001 Skagen Festival, Denmark
2003 Skagen Festival, Denmark
2003 Kaustinen Festival, Finland
2003 Haapsaalu Festival, Estonia
2006 Port Fairy Folk Festival, Victoria
2011 Cairns Festival
2011 Tablelands Folk Festival
