Energetic Merc rev up for return gig

Speaking from Brisbane where he is playing with trumpet legend James Morrison, Thirsty Merc bassist Phil Stack said while he loved touring and playing with the Sydney four-piece, he has a great connection with Morrison and loves to share the stage with him when he isn’t in the Merc.

"When the Merc is on, it takes up the most of my time," he said.

"But when I do this, I love doing it. I’ve been playing with James for a long time."

Playing with the jazz musician also gives Stack a chance to break out his beloved double bass, something not featured very much on Thirsty Merc’s third release, Mousetrap Heart.

Stack, when asked if he was like a number of other musicians who name their favourite instruments, said his double bass was without a name.

"No, I don’t have a name for it.

"I should, shouldn’t I?

"I’ll work on it," he laughed.

"But it can’t be any old name, they need to see the double bass and feel what it should be called."

Sadly, the unnamed double bass won’t be making any special appearances when the foursome play the Prince of Wales Hotel on October 30.

"I didn’t use it so much on the last record because it’s more of a funky, groovy record," Stack said.

But he did promise the show at the Prince would be "pretty raucous", and encouraged the audience to "go nuts" and enjoy themselves, safely of course.

Bunbury is lucky to welcome back the Merc only months after their last show and if audience reaction from the July show is anything to go by, the up coming gig will be a hot ticket.

"That show was really raucous," Stack said.

"We had people clambering on the stage and spilling beer over pedal boards, and I’m sure it will be another raucous pub gig."

And the key to a good gig, according to Stack?

"We try not to rehearse too much, not because we’re lazy, but because we like to keep it pretty fresh and open for the first gig."

Thirsty Merc will be playing at the Prince of Wales Hotel on Saturday, October 30.