THE HEKAWIS

The Hekawis formed in 1993 out of Brisbane to play some parties and to cut a few records. After playing a couple of club gigs, they soon developed a huge following and landed support spots with Kim Salmon, The Dirty Three, The Fireballs and Dick Dale. In late 1993, The Hekawis debut single was released on Giant Claw Records out of Melbourne. The song ''Indian Giver'' received instant airplay on 3RRR and PBS in Melbourne and is now a sought-after collector’s item both overseas and here in Australia. While touring Victoria to promote this release, The Hekawis were approached by Corduroy Record’s head Nick Phillips. 'The Spook' (EP) was recorded for Corduroy and promptly sold out within a few weeks. This EP still holds the record for fastest selling single on Corduroy.

The band’s next release was for the huge independent label Telstar Records in Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.A. The 'Scalp Surfin' EP became an instant classic, receiving airplay on college radio stations all over the U.S.A. It peaked at #35 on KTRU out of Houston, Texas. Although an amazing feat for a Brisbane (or even Australian) band, this chart success went mostly unnoticed and ignored here in Australia. Also ignored were other chart successes in France, Italy, and New Zealand.

With the onset of the short-lived Pulp Fiction Surf Revival, The Hekawis decided to drop the instrumental part of their sound and to concentrate more on a pop/vocal sound. This paid off with the release of ''Flowers in the Night'' and ''On This Day'' - recorded at Wild Eagle Records (a small Brisbane label) in 1996. To this day, they are still receiving airplay around Australia (and the world) on 3RRR, 4ZZZ, and PBS and others. In 96/97, the boys supported Hoodoo Guru’s on the Queensland leg of their Blue Cave tour. This earned The Hekawis the respect of Queensland’s Guru fans and The Hekawis opening slot for the Guru’s at the Mansfield Tavern is still talked about.

The Hekawis later received rave reviews for their role as support band for You Am I on the Pop and Soul Review tour, and then hooked up again with the Hoodoo Guru’s in summer 97/98 on their Spit the Dummy tour. This led The Hekawis through QLD and NSW, and on into Victoria, finishing in Melbourne for the Guru’s last three shows at the Palace and Transformers. Needless to say, The Hekawis thrived on the experience, warming up and then rocking the huge crowds at the Guru’s final shows, and whipping them into a frenzy before leaving the stage - leaving the crowds begging for more.

The Hekawis are no strangers to touring, having played over 50 times in Melbourne at the Esplanade, Greyhound, Public Bar, etc. on at least a dozen different occasions, and have a large following there. nly a young group (no members over 30) The Hekawis have over 40 years of combined experience. They are professionals, wily veterans, and young upstarts all at the same time. Their live shows are legendary - whether playing for crowds of 300 or 3000, The Hekawis remain unfazed. They have never failed to win over an audience of any type. Giant smiles appear on the faces of punters everywhere whenever The Hekawis play. 

Members

Brett Barton (guitar, vocals), James Peirce (bass), Steve Zillman (keyboards, vocals, harmonica), Mark McIntyre (drums), Robert Zillman (sax), Gavin Ross (bass), Geoff Dunbar (drums)

References

http://trustarvibrations.blogspot.com.au/2007/09/where-hekawi.html