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Three-piece all original blues bands have their work cut out for them – and 63 Deluxe works harder than most. The essential power-trio builds its sound around big, supple grooves laid down by bass player Bret Hann and drummer Jack Thomson, a rhythm section that has some serious chops. Atop this dense layer of bedrock flies guitarist Anthony Scott – a hot, sophisticated and tasty soloist whose lyrical lines ring with purity and purpose. The sum of the parts is an exciting, punchy and just a bit funky sound that takes blues into an exciting modern context. They never overcook things; the seasoning is just right. 63 Deluxe defy strict definition. “Does Stevie Ray Vaughan just play blues? Does Jon Bonamassa or Matt Schofield or Robben Ford just play blues? We don’t see any need to limit ourselves, so we are purposely eclectic,” says Anthony Scott. “We want the music to be fresh – to be our original expression. These songs have been built around a spark that ignites when we come together and start creating in the rehearsal room.” That spark comes from a 12-year friendship between guitarist/vocalist Anthony Scott, bass player Bret Hann and drummer/vocalist Jack Thomson, all being veterans of Adelaide’s professional music scene. Anthony has won South Australian Music Industry awards as best guitarist and best bass player, having recorded and toured internationally with FRUIT, Sun Theory and Massey Fergusson. Bret was a founding member of Adelaide rockers IronHorse, Deep Purple tribute band Machine Head and played in the UK with members from Hawkwind and the Stranglers, and along with Jack has recorded and toured with The Lime Spiders. Jacks further commitments have been to JAPAM, The Tony Font Show, The Rocketeers and an appearance with international metal band Steel Panther. Between commitments, the trio initially enjoyed infrequent jam sessions, but became more serious and focused in 2020 once Anthony began introducing his own blues compositions. Sparks began to fly. A new sound emerged, which 63 Deluxe took to local venues and wowed live audiences – then into the recording studio, with Anthony performing myriad duties as engineer and producer, before mixing and mastering the final versions. Now the debut album from 63 Deluxe, with 12 tracks recorded through 2022 and 2023, is being released world-wide on November 1. It comes on the eve of 63 Deluxe travelling to the United States, as South Australia’s Grand Final Winners to perform at the International Memphis Blues Challenge in January 2025. This is an opportunity the band will use to springboard the next chapter of its career, with plans to record a new batch of original songs while in Tennessee. “Musicians want to feel validated and relevant. That’s what our original songs do for us,” says Bret Hann. “It connects our ideas, our collective talents and experience with an audience – and from the response we’re getting, it seems we’re hitting the right notes.”