In The Green Room: Honky Tonk

Interviews
Written By The Note
 

Post-pub-rock act Ricky Albeck spills on hosting a Honky Tonk at the Cranker every second Tuesday, featuring a five-piece country band (with pedal steals and violins no less), guest appearances and great country tracks…

Image Nash Blight

Featured
Heading - Nightmares on Wax (1).png

Tell us more about the backstory of Honky Tonk.

I’ve wanted to start a casual-ish country-esque jam night for quite a while. I was inspired after hearing about a jam night that Jonathan Wilson ran in Laurel Canyon a few years ago. It just sounded like the best way to spend a weeknight.

When I was living in Collingwood, I would go to James Ellis’ honky tonk night just at The Gem. It’s such a great thing they’ve got going there. Their gig is also definitely an inspiration. The Cranker had a [Tuesday] gap in their programming and it seemed perfect to me. I’m pretty sure there hasn’t been consistent music on a Tuesday in Adelaide for years.

What should people expect?

We’ve got a house band called Country F**kers, consisting of Tom Spall on violin, James Mannix on drums, Frank Boulden on pedal steel, Jackson Wright on double bass and myself on guitar. It’s not strictly “Honky Tonk” tunes, but it’s pretty much all old songs. There are lots of violin and pedal steel solos. I think it’s a bit like a jazz gig in that it’s mostly all of these standard tunes with a lot of improvisation and personal spins.

The house band is always on and then we invite some friends to play in the week leading up to the show. You never know who you’re going to get. We’ve had Ella Ion, Ned Baulderstone, Laura O’Callaghan and Michael Pearse. My 80-year-old Grandma even got up to sing an Emmylou Harris song! That was special.

What do you hope a regular gig series like this provides the Adelaide scene?

My true earnest hope is that it’ll promote heavier musical friendships and relationships within the community. Playing music together really grows friendships and mutual understanding. It’s been so nice playing with the guests we’ve had so far.

Catch Honky Tonk live in the Crown & Anchor front bar every second Tuesday from 7.30. For more information follow Honky Tonk here @honkytonk4eva.

Latest Interviews
Lacuna Coil: Surviving 30 Years Of Technological Disruption
Lacuna Coil: Surviving 30 Years Of Technological Disruption

Lacuna Coil’s Andrea Ferro discusses navigating new technological eras, their dream collaborations and why Lars Ulrich was right in his Napster battle. 

Thornhill: From Underground Favourites to Arena Tours
Thornhill: From Underground Favourites to Arena Tours

Thornhill vocalist Jacob Charlton explains to The Note, a difficult decision put the band ‘under the knife’ of pressure in 2025, but thankfully, they ultimately grew from it.

Better Lovers: Back To Square One After Two Decades
Better Lovers: Back To Square One After Two Decades

Better Lovers, the hardcore punk supergroup formed from the ashes of the legendary Every Time I Die, make their Australian tour debut this January. The Note spoke with members Jordan Buckley and Will Putney to discuss new music, their chaotic live show and what 2026 holds for them. 

In the Green Room: Molly Rocket
In the Green Room: Molly Rocket

SA’s fav grunge-rock four-piece is on the move. Headlining OC Sound Fest and gearing up to drop their sophomore EP The Dogs Are Barking, we chewed the fat with Georgie and Ben.

Viagra Boys: Nothing’s Off Limits
Viagra Boys: Nothing’s Off Limits

When Bryget Chrisfield Zooms one third of Viagra Boys ahead of their upcoming Australian tour, they are in Stockholm: bassist Henrik “Benke” Höckert is at home, while saxophonist Oskar Carls is in Shrimp Enterprises, the band’s studio.

Saosin’s Beau Burchell on Revival, Reflection and Album Number Four
Saosin’s Beau Burchell on Revival, Reflection and Album Number Four

Currently preparing the release of their much-anticipated fourth studio album, Saosin are touring Australia in April to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut. Guitarist Beau Burchell talks with The Note about the making of their new record, how their sound has evolved and his love for Parkway Drive.

The Herd: 20 Years on From ‘The Sun Never Sets’
The Herd: 20 Years on From ‘The Sun Never Sets’

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal third album, The Sun Never Sets, The Herd are taking the record on the road this year. Ahead of their performance at iconic Adelaide venue The Gov, The Herd’s Toe-Fu spoke with The Note about the making of the album, covering John Schumann’s ‘Only 19’ and the prospect of new music.

Jakob Nowell on Carrying Sublime Forward
Jakob Nowell on Carrying Sublime Forward

Having reformed in 2023 with Jakob Nowell, the son of original vocalist Bradley Nowell, Sublime have been touring the globe and are currently working on a new album. Ahead of their Australian visit, The Note spoke with Jakob about Sublime’s legacy, his father and the band’s upcoming tour down under.

ixaras: DIY Dreams and New Realities
ixaras: DIY Dreams and New Realities

Coming-of-age indie pop-rock, infused with a DIY punk ethos, is ixaras’ brand to a T. Following the release of her gripping sophomore EP What Is And What Isn’t, the 18-year-old Brisbane-based artist talks growing up, indie labels and Adelaide’s buzzing youth music scene.

In the Green Room: Sounds Sick Sickest 100
In the Green Room: Sounds Sick Sickest 100

SA’s own homegrown version of triple j’s ‘Hottest 100’ takes over the airwaves and Adelaide Unibar on January 17. Here, we chat to Ripley from the Sounds Sick crew for the rundown.

Keli Holiday: Creation, Connection and Capital Fiction
Keli Holiday: Creation, Connection and Capital Fiction

Aussie music champion Keli Holiday digs deep about crafting connection, ahead of his upcoming album Capital Fiction and biggest headline Australian tour to date.

Ben Van Boekel on The Story Behind Caltowie COFU
Ben Van Boekel on The Story Behind Caltowie COFU

In the lead-up to Caltowie Chilled Out ‘n’ Fired Up Music Festival 2026, founder Ben Van Boekel talks to us about Caltowie’s origins, raising awareness of men’s mental health struggles and his enthusiasm for live music.

James Reyne On Moving Forward and Not Looking Back
James Reyne On Moving Forward and Not Looking Back

James Reyne has been there, seen it and got the t-shirt. Ahead of his national tour next year, the famed singer-songwriter spoke with The Note about his disdain for reality singing competitions, his love for Australian Crawl songs and why emerging musicians should move overseas.

Victor & Roy Wooten: Survival, Soul and the Sound of Unity
Victor & Roy Wooten: Survival, Soul and the Sound of Unity

American bassist, songwriter and record producer Victor Wooten and his brother Roy chat with The Note about their musical history, Victor’s rare neurological condition and the impact of AI on modern music.

Drums, Power and Feminist Fire: Inside the World of La Perla
Drums, Power and Feminist Fire: Inside the World of La Perla

Winners of the acclaimed Festival de Ovejas, Bogotá trio La Perla merge traditional Colombian Caribbean rhythms with innovative contemporary sounds. Ahead of their first appearance in Australia as part of WOMADelaide 2026, the band discuss why they believe their music resonates with audiences across the globe, how their collaborative album with Pulcinella came about and what a La Perla live show encompasses.

Rock Rebels on a Mission: Sarah McLeod & Dallas Frasca Bring Sustainability Centre Stage
Rock Rebels on a Mission: Sarah McLeod & Dallas Frasca Bring Sustainability Centre Stage

Powerhouse vocalists Sarah McLeod and Dallas Frasca have locked in 15 dates across February and March 2026. Ahead of their tour, the two spoke with The Note about touring sustainability and raising funds for the charity organisation Seed Mob.

Granite Island Discs: Dakota Griffiths
Granite Island Discs: Dakota Griffiths

South Aussie music content creator and champion of the local scene Dakota Griffiths, aka Band Banta, fills us in on her top five songs, favourite album and most memorable music moment.

Inside the Comedy and Community of These New South Whales
Inside the Comedy and Community of These New South Whales

Aussie punk icons are back with new thrilling new album, GODSPEED. Vocalist Jamie Timony and guitarist Todd Andrews got on Zoom and spoke with The Note about their artistic process, their relationship with GODSPEED and mixing politics with music.

Locals Only: Looch
Locals Only: Looch

Equal parts grit, rock and heart, Looch are proof that mates make the best bands. With new single ‘SHOO’ on the horizon, guitarist Matty Ranger opens up about growth, gratitude, and the beautiful chaos of community.

Dayseeker’s Rory Rodriguez: “Songwriting Is My Process To Get Through What I Am Feeling”
Dayseeker’s Rory Rodriguez: “Songwriting Is My Process To Get Through What I Am Feeling”

Armed with one of the strongest heavy releases of 2025, the frontman of the Californian group takes us through Creature In The Black Night.

Locals Only: Kurralta Park
Locals Only: Kurralta Park

Packed with an Australiana grunge rock punch, Kurralta Park’s debut album Powell Place seeps authenticity. Here, frontman Bindi McCallum talks tequila-fuelled recording sessions, Daybed Records’ Live in Lincoln Festival, and the village it takes to make it all happen.

Trent Worley on Independence, Inspiration and the Making of ‘Now, When?’
Trent Worley on Independence, Inspiration and the Making of ‘Now, When?’

Adelaide singer-songwriter Trent Worley is gearing up for the release of his latest album, Now, When?. Ahead of the record dropping and Worley’s album launch show at The Austral next week, the local lad opened up about the challenges he’s faced as an indie artist, what his new release is all about and the importance of physical media.

Divebar Youth: Vinnie Barbaro Is Exceeding All Expectations
Divebar Youth: Vinnie Barbaro Is Exceeding All Expectations

Divebar Youth, one of South Australia’s most exciting emerging alternative indie acts stops by, ahead of the release of his sophomore EP Modern Expectations to chat breaking the mold, European escapades and his upcoming EP tour.

Locals Only: Bousta
Locals Only: Bousta

BOUSTA has made his mark, dropping deadly records and turning heads all across Adelaide. This year, the Arrernte rapper has turned momentum into meaning, fusing language, truth and culture to create something that lasts.

Locals Only: Oscar the Wild
Locals Only: Oscar the Wild

From Cranker beginnings to AC/DC support slots, Oscar the Wild are turning up the heat this November. Here, the trio chat sharing stages with idols, their latest EP Blue, and building spaces where everyone belongs.

Locals Only: Ella Ion
Locals Only: Ella Ion

Craving nothing more than connection, Ella Ion has spent 2025 throwing stones of vulnerability, sending ripples of bare-all honesty across the globe. Here, the singer-songwriter reflects on touring, truth-telling, and celebrating SA’s music community with Hyde & Seek.

King Parrot’s Matt Young on Touring with Pantera, the Band’s New Album and Singing With Jason Momoa
King Parrot’s Matt Young on Touring with Pantera, the Band’s New Album and Singing With Jason Momoa

Parrot frontman Matt Young revealed all to The Note about the making of their new album, A Young Person's Guide to King Parrot, singing with Jason Momoa and the impact of new drummer Max Dangerfield.

Five Favourites with dust
Five Favourites with dust

Ahead of dust’s Adelaide show at Jive in December, dust’s vocalist and guitarist Justin Teale opened up about Australia’s alt-rock scene, touring with Interpol across Europe and their five favourite Aussie bands everyone needs to hear.

Locals Only: The Shadow Ministers
Locals Only: The Shadow Ministers

On the cusp of releasing their killer sophomore album VOL II, Paris Clark-Proud, guitarist and vocalist from The Shadow Ministers, dives into the DIY process and translation of studio to stage.

Punk Rock Factory Talk ‘Mortal Wombat’, Shoeys, and Going Full Aussie on Tour
Punk Rock Factory Talk ‘Mortal Wombat’, Shoeys, and Going Full Aussie on Tour

Known worldwide for the punk renditions of classic songs, American act Punk Rock Factory are heading our way this month. Ahead of touching down in Oz, the band gave us the lowdown on their new album All Hands on Deck, their wildest fan interaction and what to expect on their upcoming tour.

 
The Note https://www.thenote.com.au
Previous

The Presets: In the House
Next

Emily Wurramara, Reborn