Cooking up a stew of dirty electric Blues, Roots and R&B from the early sixties, but with splashes of Country balladry, Gospel, Americana and Rock n Roll.
A popular mainstay of the local scene plus a crowd-pleasing headliner at festivals and events from their home base of Melbourne, Victoria, Rod Paine & The Fulltime Lovers are an act not to be missed.
Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society
Band of the Year - 2023
COMING UP
Don't miss the launch of our new live CD "Live Dirt" at George Lane >>>
You can see us at the Echuca Winter Blues Festival for three shows over the last weekend of July.
We are also joining The Detonators and Collard, Greens & Gravy for another two "Voodoo Boogie" shows in August.
VIDEOS
ABOUT
Fronting the band with his commanding vocals and harmonica, the charismatic Rod Paine is a true showman, boasting one of the most soulful and captivating voices in Australia. For over 30 years, Rod has mesmerized audiences across the country, delivering a sound that blends the gritty energy of Muscle Shoals with the raw intensity of mid-60s electric Blues. With the unique, broken-up harp tones emanating from his 40-year-old amp, he's a hard act to pin down or compare to anyone else.
Backing Rod is the dynamic rhythm section of Ray "TT Slim" Tully (drums) and Tony Harwood (bass), a powerhouse duo that has been locking in grooves together for over 35 years. Having played with iconic bands like The Sensational Rocket 88s, The Redliners, The Detonators, and The Straight 8s, their tight, unshakable foundation is the heartbeat of the band.
In 2014, the Fulltime Lovers welcomed the exceptional Co Tipping to take on guitar duties, where his masterful touch with a Fender Stratocaster instantly elevated the band's sound, expanding their musical reach. This key addition marked a new chapter in the band’s evolution. The addition in 2020 of Michael J Shannon on Hammond organ added another layer of depth and colour to their sound. With his vast musical knowledge and expressive playing, Michael has brought a richness to the band's repertoire that shines through in every performance.
In 2013, Rod Paine & The Fulltime Lovers won the prestigious MBAS (Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society) Blues Performer of the Year Award. They subsequently represented the MBAS in 2014 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis USA, where they competed with the world’s best to impress an international audience.
Most recently, the band was awarded the MBAS Band of the Year for 2023.
