The origins of this enigmatic five piece begin by visiting a Mornington Peninsula seaside town in Melbourne called Mt Eliza. Anyone who happened to be walking down the beach near Oliver's Hill in the month of January 1999, might have even witnessed its protracted birth. In a remote corner surrounded by rocks, Michael Kratochvil sat showing James McMaster Hay a new song he had written. Already, it bared the signature sound of Michael's erratic and frenzied folk guitar playing, combined with an idiosyncratic and dramatic song structure. Within days of practising on that same patch of sand, James’ poetic lyrics and soulful voice could be heard echoing along the cliffs. The formation of an unusual new entity was brought kicking and screaming into this world. It soon became clear that these like-minded musicians were on to something when Chris James and Thomas Hay entered the mix. Now practising in a more conventional spot (ie. Chris’ bungalow), Thomas toughened up the duos formerly acoustic sound with his unique, primal rock drumming. Chris would send the mix into alien territory with his angular electric guitar playing and psychedelic sound FX manipulation. Sean Kelly soon completed the line up with his melodic and galloping bass style, finalizing the epic core of the Best Wishes sound.
Kitlist details
James McMaster Hay - Vocals
Michael Kratochvil - Dobro Guitar
Chris James - Electric Guitar
Sean Kelly - Bass
Thomas Hay - Drums