Hillbilly disco returns to the Shawsy

WHEN Marshall Okell formed Marshall and the Fro back in 2005, his two original bandmates sported some seriously memorable hairstyles.

“One looked like a strawberry-blonde Ronald McDonald, and the other had a tight-knit poodle fro,” Okell said.

Though the line-up has changed over the years, the distinctive name stuck — and so did the band’s unmistakable sound, a psychedelic-tinged blend of blues and country rock that’s become a staple on the Northern Rivers live music scene.

These days, the trio features Lennox Head local Nic Lemits on bass, Jon Howell from Suffolk Park on drums, and Okell himself, who makes the regular trek from Woombah near Yamba to play gigs across the region. You’ll find them lighting up venues like The Lennox Hotel, The Rails and The Northern in Byron Bay, where they’ve got a Tuesday night residency that’s become a crowd favourite.

The band has also graced the stages of some of Australia’s best-loved festivals, including Bluesfest, Woodford Folk Festival, and Blues at Bridgetown in Western Australia.

Okell, who grew up in Ballina, said the band has been playing the iconic Shaws Bay Hotel since “day dot” and he’s looking forward to returning after its recent renovations, with a show lined up for Sunday September 14.

“The Shawsy has such a great energy on a Sunday, with loads of punters dancing in their double pluggers,” he said. “I’m super keen to see what it looks like now, and curious to find out if they’ve improved the stage!”

Music is in Okell’s blood. His dad, Poppy Glenn Okell, played in bands his entire life, and there were always people jamming around the house when Marshall was growing up. He began performing at the age of 11 and has played in groups including Spirit, Tokyo Joe and Noosphere.

Now, with Marshall and the Fro, Okell is gearing up to release a new album titled Hill-Billy Disco, due out in January. One standout track, Meth Head, is a rowdy hillbilly-punk tale inspired by the time their hire van keys were stolen during a tour in Western Australia.

“It’s hilarious and in your face,” Okell said.

Catch Marshall and the Fro live at The Lennox Hotel on Friday, September 5, and at the newly revamped Shaws Bay Hotel on Sunday,September 14.

For more information, visit marshallandthefro.com