Bass Strait (band)

Bass Strait are an Australian folk rock band from, , best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Australian folk songs and bush ballads, referred to by the band as "heavy brass". The band began on the Australian indie scene, and later gained popularity in Germany after moving there in 1993. Bass Strait were nominated for Best International Rock/Pop Group in the in Germany in 1995, as well as receiving several  nominations in Australia throughout the years. The band has sold millions of albums in Australia and abroad. Bass Strait has had numerous members during its existence, with vocalist Samuel O'Mara being the only consistent member throughout.

Beginnings and move to Germany
The band played it's first official gig on February 4, 1991, opening for at a  free concert. The founding members included Samuel O'Mara (vocals, guitar), Séan Krestenitis (vocals, guitar, didgeridoo, accordion, fiddle, melodica), Mason O'Davoren (vocals, double bass, bodhrán), and Clark Skelly (vocals, drums).

When the group heard from a friend of a folk music scene in Germany led by artists such as, the band moved there. Soon after, their agent thought of recording a full studio album showcasing their folk rock sound. Bass Strait was hesitant, as they were still planning on returning to Australia if they got disinterested in touring in Germany, but BMG Ariola Hamburg was open. Working with producers Helge Rehder and Lothar Eike Rösch at a studio in, they recorded a rendition of the bush ballad "The Wild Colonial Boy" as their first single. It charted highly in Europe and Australia and remains their biggest-selling and most-well known song. The band began a promotional tour of Europe and Australasia. Referring to a performance in, Samuel stated "The crowd was screaming their heads off, we couldn't start the song."