To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show, Tex Perkins is taking The Man In Black out on the road to Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT.

It’s no surprise the show is embraced so much by music-loving audiences – there are few artists within Australia who can translate the work of ‘The Man in Black’ and bring it to modern day like Tex Perkins. His reverence for Johnny Cash’s career is evident in the way he approaches every song.

“I love this show,” he says. “I’ve loved being in it for the last 10 years and having the opportunity of putting on the boots of a legend, exploring the world of Johnny Cash. Even though it’s all about Johnny Cash, I’ve put a lot of myself into this show, intentionally and unintentionally. Despite us winning a Helpmann in the first 12-months of life, the show I truly believe, 10 years on is even better!”

Tex Perkins needs no introduction to Australian audiences, he is a legend within the Aussie music industry and is revered as one of the country’s rock n’ roll outlaws. It is said his affinity with Johnny Cash started in his earliest band and is an enthusiasm he hasn’t relinquished. After fronting The Cruel Sea, Beasts of Bourbon and touring with Tex, Don and Charlie and The Dark Horses, Tex Perkins has had an incredible and varied music career.

Johnny Cash made an indelible impact on the international music scene. From his rise to fame in 1954, he had a string of Top 10 hits, including Ring of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues and Don’t Take Your Guns To Town, to name a few. His #1 Billboard smash hit I Walk The Line made him a household name – and sat on the charts for 43 weeks! He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, demonstrating the impact his music has had across multiple genres. He passed away in 2003 but is still considered one of the most influential musicians of all time, as his sales of over 50 million records will attest.

This could be the last chance for a while to see Tex Perkins reprise this award-winning role – and there will be no bigger spectacular than to experience The Man In Black than during the 10th Anniversary Tour.

The Man in Black – The Songs & Stories of Johnny Cash
Friday 23 August – Athenaum Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday 24 August – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday 31 August – The Playhouse, Canberra
Sunday 1 September – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
Friday 6 September – Theatre Royal, Hobart
Saturday 7 September – Country Club, Launceston
Saturday 14 September – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Sunday 15 September – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
Thursday 3 October – State Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 5 October – QPAC, Brisbane
www.facebook.com/TexPerkinsMusic

Who am I? Why am I here? When am I leaving?

Are these the big questions? Or are they the little ones?

Is this the big picture? Or are these the minute details?

These are some of the questions pondered, then thought best left unanswered, on the new Dark Horses album Tunnel at the End of the Light, in store July 17  through Dark Horse Records/ Inertia. Recorded and Mixed by Roger Bergodaz at Tender Trap Studios, Mastered by Steve Smart at Studios 301 and produced by Tex Perkins and The Dark Horses.

Languid, meditative, elemental, the album was conceived as a third part in a trilogy of albums that feature the landscape as an ever present character, following on from 2011’s Self titled and 2012’s critically lauded Everyone’s Alone.

Where am I? What have I done? Do I care?

Along with the resignation, lyrically there’s a mood of acceptance and peace.

If you are new to the landscape of The Dark Horses: gently bubbling sonics gurgle underneath spacious rhythms, sweetly simple repetitive guitars, lush backing harmonies and brooding bass lines. The dynamics and contrasts are vast, one moment you’re in an insomniacs bedroom the next you’re in the clouds.

If you are already a fan, Tunnel at the End of the Light has a more generous dose of all that shit you love about them than ever before. Tex’s vocal seems at once rougher and more delicate, weary not wary; Gus’s drumming is inspired; Steve’s Bass is the bedrock; Murray’s beautiful acoustic guitar weaves through it all; while Charlie and Joel’s electric guitar solos are voices without lungs. This album hits harder, and softer. Goes farther out and deeper within, is darker but… oh fuck, you get the idea.

“Tex Perkins is a man of many bands. Now he’s enjoying time with the resurrected Dark Horses …..the focus is all on the quality of their musicianship, with Perkins relaxed drawl nestling in among the rolling tunes” Sydney Morning Herald

“a convincingly real mix of who-gives-a-fuck bile and headachey regret” Rolling Stone

Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses – Tunnel At The End Of The Light Tour
Thursday 16th July – Milton Theatre, Milton
Friday 17th July –  University of Wollongong, Wollongong
Friday 18th July – Lizottes, Newcastle
Saturday 19th July – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Saturday 25th July – Darwin Ski Club, Darwin
Friday 31st July – Republic Bar, Hobart
Saturday 1st August – The MEMO Music Hall, Melbourne
Friday 7th August – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns

www.darkhorses.com.au
www.texperkins.com.au