The Bad Dad Orchestra Rock Out With “Makin’ Me Wild”

The Bad Dad Orchestra have just dropped “Makin’ Me Wild,” the title track from their forthcoming debut studio album, and it’s an absolute banger. Its driving guitars and drums give it a classic rock feel, but then there are those horns and lush backing vocals adding a sprinkling of soul.

Talking about the track, which is a tribute to their late founding member Liam Guthrie Pennicott, frontman Jimi Steele says “A lone wolf’s judgement can be shifted by the pack, sometimes in a good way, but likewise contribute to poor decisions. A sudden whim of wildness and you’ve turned into one of the bunch. We need to sometimes call on our primal instincts, or be tamed. The Wolfpack will undoubtedly decide if it’s let off the leash to run wild.”

You won’t have to wait too long for more new material from these guys, as the Making’ Me Wild album is slated for release later this month. Expect to hear a few more new tracks and old favourite when the Bad Dad Orchestra plays the following shows.

24 February 2024 – Love It Music Festival, Kanamuluka Country/Sassafras
2 March 2024 – Spoke Music Festival, Paredarerme Country/Swansea
3 March 2024 – Shearwater Resort, Tommeginne/Shearwater (supporting Rose Tattoo)
16 March 2024 – Forth Valley Blues Festival, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth
22 March 2024 – Valentino Safe Company, Woiwurrung Country/Lilydale
20 April 2024 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney
4 May 2024 – Paragon Theatre, Timkarik/Queenstown
19 May 2024 – Blues On Broadbeach, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
1 June 2024 – The Pier/Island State Brewing, Punnilerpanner and Pirinilapl Country/Ulverstone
12 July 2024 – Willlie Smith’s Mid-Winter Fest, Melukerdee and Lyluequonny Country/Grove
22-25 August 2024 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

The Bad Dad Orchestra Wow Me With “Birds of Prey”

The Bad Dad Orchestra are a bit of a local secret, beloved in their native Lutruwita/Tasmania but largely unknown on the mainland. Listening to their latest single “Birds of Prey,” which features Julian Moss, the song of living legend Ian Moss, I’m convinced they should be every bit as big as the Teskey Brothers. They’ve got a similar classic soulful sound, but for some reason they just haven’t broken through.

They’re hardly newcomers either. They’ve released three EPs since 2016 and received extensive support from community radio and ABC’s regional channels. They’ve even played top national festivals like Blues on Broadbeach, Caloundra Music Festival, and Queenscliff Music Festival.

The Bad Dad Orchestra deserve all the accolades. We’ve all been sleeping on them. That’s on us. I’m not sure when we’ll see them on the mainland next, but they’ve got a stack of gigs booked in their home state. Catch them anywhere you can:

9 December 2023 – Forth #151, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth
16 December 2023 – Royal Oak, Kanamuluka/Launceston
31 December 2023 – Beerfest NYE, Royal Park, Kanamuluka Country/Launceston
21 January 2024 – Tamar Valley Festival, Kinimathatakinta/George Town
28 January 2024 – Mona Lawns @ Mona, Nipaluna/Hobart
2 February 2024 – Festival of King Island, Erobin/Currie
8-11 February 2024 – Party in the Paddock @ Quercus Park, Kanamuluka Country/Carrick
24 February 2024 – Love It Music Festival, Kanamuluka Country/Sassafras
2 March 2024 – Spoke Music Festival, Paredarerme Country/Swansea
3 March 2024 – Shearwater Resort, Tommeginne/Shearwater (supporting Rose Tattoo)
16 March 2024 – Forth Valley Blues Festival, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth