While the Tremain's Mill site has been rife with cultural development over the last 18 months, a key aspect of the precinct's character has persevered; 10th Man's Friday night residency in the site's 'Dungeon.'
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For a number of years, the Bathurst protest punk group has channeled their creative energy in 'the Dungeon' to produce a host of socially and environmentally charged anthems.
The group, featuring Ray Mjadwesch, Paul McIlwraith, Mat Hale, Phil Blatch, Tim Bergen and Owen White, is eager to build on new material they have in the works.
"There's a fair bit of material already written and we're trying to ponder which songs will work for our second album," Mjadwesch said.
"While Mat has been missing in action for much of the year [in Cambodia], we've kept him up to date on what we've been doing."
The group's debut album, Miscarriage of Justice, was released in 2014.
With much of their material inspired by current affairs, the group is rarely short on new song ideas.
"This band is a way for us to vent about the news of the week," Hale said.
"We have this song called 'Climate Change Blues,' and we come up with new lyrics for it every week," Mjadwesch added.
A unique aspect of 10th Man's jam sessions is the regular appearance of guest musicians, who help add a different dynamic to the band's new and existing material.
"There's a serene beauty in being able to come together each week and jam on whatever comes out," White said.
"It's fine to play music on your own, but I feel playing with a group is a more enriching experience."
In 2019, the group supported The Soul Movers [featuring ex-Wiggle Murray Cook] in their debut Bathurst show at The Victoria, and performed a well-received show at the River Arts Festival in Forbes.
As Bathurst's music scene continues to grow, the group hopes to help iron out a place for socially-driven acts.
"Most venues hire acts to entertain audiences rather than challenge them and while that's understandable, we'd love to see more of an outlet for less-accessible artists," White said.
"Our music is heavily influenced by pub rock and we've played gigs in the past where audiences have responded favourably to songs with uncompromising themes," McIlwraith added.
The group is looking forward to a fruitful 2020, which will commence with a gig at an Extinction Rebellion rally in Orange on February 1.
"While we only play rare gigs here and there, we're appreciative of the response we get," Mjadwesch said.
"We're hoping to get our music out there more in the new year," McIlwraith added.