Henry Wagons is a self-described gear nerd. A bonafide aficionado of all things ’70s and warm-sounding, he’s modelled his very respectable collection on Elvis Presley’s famous Las Vegas band. When he’s not manning his post over at the ABC, he’s searching for “Electro-Voice ’70s dynamic microphones”.
However, Henry admits that while he’s just as liable to geek out over an old valve amp or overdrive pedal as the next muso, when he’s looking to get creative, it’s important to get a well-aged whiskey and strum guitars and sing amid long, drunken conversations.
Fans will soon be able to see Henry and his eponymous band take on Between The Bays 2015, sharing stages with the likes of James Reyne, Mark Seymour, Custard, Sweet Jean, Combo La Revelcion, Indigenous Hip Hop Projects, and The Billabong Boys. See below for all details.
The Essentials
[If I could only tour with a few pieces of equipment, I would bring] my Kallquist ‘Henry Wagons’ hollow body electric guitar – it’s my baby, made by a true craftsmen in Brisbane! It’s got my name right on the neck of the guitar, so I don’t have to introduce myself. It’s also handy for making a spectacular racquet. My Telefunken M80 gold microphone is also a must – brings a sense of occasion when I blow some hot air through it.
Lifting The Doonas
My Vox AC15 TV-style blue and white valve amp has made a huge difference to my guitar tone. It’s like several doonas have been lifted from my sound. I’m not sure anyone else needs or wants any more detail from my fumbly fingers, but I, at the very least, like hearing the notes I’m playing out of the speaker.
I’m also nerding out on my Fulltone GT-500 overdrive and distortion pedal, hand assembled by very stoned Californians – immaculate!
Back In The Day
My first guitar was a black Onyx acoustic. It was a beaten up pice of junk I got for $40. Not really heard much from that brand since… probably for good reason. I do appreciate it for getting the ball rolling for me.
My first amp was a Marshall Valvestate. I think they were a bit of a joke at the time, but have since become mildly sought after. I drove mine into the ground learning how to play terrible solos.
The King
[I’ve spent years collecting gear based on Elvis’ Las Vegas band due to] my obsession with Electro-Voice ’70s dynamic microphones. Elvis used an RE-15 live. It’s an amazing little guy, thin and grey. The sound that comes straight out of it is like it’s been compressed and EQ’d through a vintage desk. It’s an amazing little short cut when recording music that you want to capture some of that mojo from those sonically warmer days.
Senior Citizens
A couple of those Electro-Voice mics look like they have been pulled from the belly of an alligator that has been stalking the bottom of a swamp since 1870. Still sound amazing though, [but that’s the oldest equipment I own].
Older equipment can be very temperamental. Lots of crackles and pops emerge where they shouldn’t. My old Wurlitzer Student Piano is currently sounding like Rice Bubbles and the EQ on my Sound Workshop desk sounds like sandy feet. A bit of WD40 can fix a multitude of aging sins. Maybe try some on the crow’s feet?
“The ’70s Sound”
As much as gear can have a huge impact, so does a well-aged whiskey and the kind of playing and singing that only comes from long and drunken conversations. Seriously, so much has to do with the playing, above all else. The right authentic gear just adds the final few percent.
Annoying The Neighbours
[The weirdest or most obscure piece of gear that I’ve ever bought is a] Jaw-Harp. I’ve received some gear for free from companies a few times, but nothing obscure – an amp and a guitar, a microphone, and plenty of strings and picks. I appreciate all of the tools I need to annoy the neighbours!
Wagons will appear at Between The Bays 2015 alongside James Reyne, Mark Seymour, Custard, and more – see details below.
Between The Bays 2015
Saturday, 28th February 2015
Moorooduc, Mornington Peninsula VIC
Tickets: Between The Bays
