Adelaide born drummer John Yacka joins me this week to discuss his career. John's first major original band was 'Ironhorse' who began performing in 1980, and within four years had won a reputation as one of Adelaide's most devoutly supported acts. The bands first major gig was on November 30th 1984 when they supported 'Deep Purple' at Memorial Drive during DP's "Perfect Strangers" Tour. Despite their popularity around the country, they were unable to get signed by a major label. John discusses getting knocked back by Michael Gudinski's promotions manager for Mushroom Records Michelle Higgins, due to the fact that she didn't like the look of the band, and didn't think that they would be a good fit for the label. When the band released it's first self financed album in 1986 it became an enduring chart hit. 

The band set attendance records at their live performances and also surprised the critics when their debut album “Lost Weekend” soared up the commercial airplay charts with a Number 5 album locally and number 54 on the National Charts (Kent Report). Through constant touring throughout Australia, this band earned a reputation nationally and shared the stage as support to a variety of International musicians – BB King, Deep Purple, Joe Walsh, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Winter & Canned Heat. After a ten year span key member David Stone left for a spell and Ironhorse took a break.

The rest of the members continued to tour under the name of “The Hurricanes” and eventually released an Album under the guise of 'Cosmic Desert' with James Burchell on main vocals. More recently the band has reverted back to the Ironhorse flag for a couple of reunion shows. The most watched video on my Band It About YouTube channel is Ironhorse performing the "Train Song" at the first reunion show, which was held at the Para Hills Community Club. Here is the link to that video: IronHorse "Train Song" YouTube

‘Cosmic Storm’ launched its debut album “Nobody’s Fool” at the Adelaide Festival Centre, and to an extent also launched the band. They have open for international acts such as Deep Purple in 2006, Status Quo, and Paul Stanley at the iconic ‘Thebarton Theatre’, as well as supporting other great Aussie music legends. Cosmic Storm created interest on the US music market with their “Nobody’s Fool" album. The band had concerns that the variety of material on the album may have worked against them in the US, but it became an asset, as it was the diversity of the music on the album that stood out above other choices. 

Lily and the Drum is a bluesy, roots, rock & soul duo featuring vocalist, guitarist Lily Higgins, and John on percussion, harmonica & backing vocals. Their shows have been described as “Honest, raw and energetic” and “A guitar and drum duo with an exciting rich melodic sound." Following the success of their debut album “Nobody Just Like Me”, along with their subsequent albums "Welcome Change", "Buried in Blue" and "This Is Right Now", the duo has constantly toured throughout Australia, until having to cancel last year due to C-19. They have performed at numerous Music Festivals throughout Australia, opening for high profile artists such as ‘The Black Sorrows’, ‘Mental as Anything’ and ‘Tex Perkins. They captured the attention of the music community with four of their releases making the Top 25 on the Australian Blues and Roots National Airplay Charts.

John has kindly allowed me to use 2 of his songs for this interview, "Midnite Confusion" by Ironhorse and "No More" by Lily And The Drum. All of John's bands info, albums and social links can be located here: https://www.lilyandthedrum.com.au/

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