Finn:- The Last of the travelling Minstrels Minstrel - A minstrel is the term given to an entertainer who travels the countryside delivering their craft to new audiences Finn is a musical outfit from a near extinct walk of life, Heralded as the last of the travelling minstrels, They are a rhythm and blues band, who plays the music of their generation and are still writing it, Finn are some of the last of their kind Three individuals plucked from a generation where being a musician had nothing to do with auto tune, reality TV shows or even choreographed dance moves. 30 years ago, when the band had a Commer van for the gear, with a crank handle to start it, Finn were touring. 20 years ago when MTV grabbed the music industry by the scruff of the neck and shook it, Finn were touring. 10 years ago dragging a trailer and a Ford round the country Finn were touring. And this year, (still in a van this time a Tarago), Finn are still on tour. With their 6th studio Album completed, Finn continues to deliver their trade to pubs and clubs in every town throughout Australia, large or small. They have performed at almost every major blues festival in Australia and are constantly touring the country. "When you re on the road for as long as we are you start to notice things as they change" Drummer/Singer/Founding member Jim Finn has been known to quote. "You notice the things that are going wrong and find yourself in a position nearly every night where you are given the chance to express your views on it all to a room of different faces". As winners of the SBS performers of the year, Finn went to Memphis to compete in the IBC in Feb. 05, did a mini tour of Europe last year and 15 dates in 21 days in Ireland August of this year With a live show that is so extremely well road tested, a dedicated following of cult like supporters across Australia and an undeniable love for the art of music, Finn are one of Australia's best kept secrets. The Last of the travelling Minstrels Finn are. Jim Finn vocals and drums. Bill Crossland bass and vocals. Paul Surany guitar and vocals. Details September 99. Band began rehearsal. line up Jim Finn vocal, drums. Shayne Barry - Guitar / vocal. Simon Murray guitars. Michael Lynch Bass /mandolin. May to June 00. First cd no relation recorded. band line up as above additional musicians being, backing vocals, Cora James, Cathi LeHermia and Toni Swain, keys Carolyn Packer. Al Britton Bass. Rapper Roams Warm Sydney Nites. October 00 Launch of the 14 track CD no relation at the Bridge Hotel in Sydney. August 02 Interim cd in "live at Helensburgh" Line up Jim Finn vox/ drums Shane Barry guitar/vox Gerry Holmgren guitar, Bill Crossland bass b/vox, Janet Levy - sax. June 03
Released "that ain't the blues" and the single live in fear, which featured on Rage. This album was recorded by Jim and Shane in Smiths Lake NSW and mixed at A# Sharp with Jeff Cripps assisting. November 03 The Band made the short list for the IBC awards NSW. January 04 3rd studio album 'bush bashin' started, with Ross Ward. (Ross helped band out with tour in Jan. after Death of founding member Shayne Barry). September 04 bush bashin released. February. 05 Winners of the SBS performers of the year went to Memphis to compete in the IBC. January 06 Begin recording Stop Ya Bitchin, it s all too late October 06 and beyond release of SYB Finn have had successful tours in SE Qld. Thredbo, the Bridgetown Blues festival in W.A, the Perth Blues, Bimbadgen Blues Festival, The Australian Blues Festival in Goulburn 3 times, Broadbeach blues Festival, Woodstock Festival plus South West Sydney Blues festival. July 10 Release of 10 years old August 12 Trip to Europe playing some gigs, publicity and fact finding tour. December 12 Video shoot and Release of Bomb the world (with kindness) 2013 Breaking ground in South Aust. Irish tour August. 2014 Return to Ireland, Break into Germany and UK. Celebrating 15 years of Finn Testimonials Hi Jim, (About the new CD) like it lots...i featured it on Mojos the week before Xmas and still playing a track or 2 weekly (see www.tonyjaggers.com/mojos.html). Jims writing some interesting tunes and his voice seems to be getting more delta bluesy every album...great guitar work as usual from Paul...I actually popped the disc into my CD player for a drive to a gig up in Kiama ( 2 hours there and 2 back) and just kept it playing probably 4 or 5 times. Kept me happy...look forward to maybe, if I m not working, catching Finn at the Dromedary in Tilba soon Cheers Tony Thanks Jim for a wonderful musical performance last night, the music was great I hope we can do something in 2014 best regards Therese Scott Central & Branch Team Leader Ashfield Library
Hey guys, Our stepdad Tony was our handyman, and last May... our handyman left! Sadly, he took his own life. My mum Elisabeth was at the gig you did in Uralla, and I wanted to let you guys know how much your song touched and moved her. It has opened her heart to feel again. Keep making great music guys...the blues rule! Anita Dear Jim, Just wanted to let you know I think you've recorded a masterpiece there! Just excellent! I always knew you had it in you. I'm gonna spread the word. Peter Head (Piano Player) Hi Jim, Just wanted to let you know that your cd arrived safely & to say thank you for sending it to me. What a cd!! - In my opinion, I think it's your best & I just love it. It's pumpy, it's got grunt & each track tells a really good story. Congratulations, I think you're wonderful. Regards, Wendy Rudin Spirit FM 92.3 Finn Stop ya bitchin it s all too late - CD -
Independent release. www.jfinn.net This NSW trio features Jim Finn on drums and vocals, Paul Surany on guitar and Michael Lynch on bass. I was not too sure what to expect when the CD cover warned, this cd contains language and opinions that will offend some listeners, not may offend, will offend! Match this with a pic of three crusty old rockers and I didn t know what I was in for. What a great surprise to have an album that keeps you hooked in from the first track and doesn t let go. The original songs are reminiscent of Matt Taylor s most laconic work, full of humour and politics. Dumbing down being a stand out track about all the things going on in this country that no one seems to know, or care about. John Howard, who s your master, War, and Reefer Madness, all in a similar vein and also a song about feeding the poor FYPYF which gets the full Ian Dury treatment, language included! This trio is not afraid to play good music and do not try to fit into any genre, with a great reggae version of House of the Rising Sun being a wonderful example. I m sure this band would be a real hoot live, but you might have to visit Sydney to find out. ROBINA TAVERN ROBINA Qld 4226 07 5593 2600 12.09.2012 Finn Attn: Jim Finn Dear Jim Just a short note of thanks, to you and the rest of the band for another great show last weekend at the Tavern. It has certainly been interesting to watch the numbers grow at the shows in the past 16 months from about 50 at the first show to just on 270 last weekend, and as someone who has been booking bands at my venues for over 20 years I can only wish that all of the bands were as professional and easy to deal with as yours. I realise that you are very busy so please lock in the dates for December and March that we discussed and we will also look to setting the next two lots of shows when you are next up here. Thanks again for a great weekend and please travel safe until we meet again.
Stay well Talk soon