Biography

The Prairie Oysters have been raising heck and eyebrows all over the country since 2005 with their brand of country music that's been accurately described by Amazon music as an explosive mix of country, southern rock, blues and rockabilly. The Prairie Oysters have been making friends around the world with their mix of originals and covers, their showmanship and their sense of fun, which turns every gig into a party.

The Prairie Oysters have made country music accessible to a wide audience by mixing country, southern rock, rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll and blues. Their shows have attracted large and diverse crowds including many who don’t normally call themselves country music fans.

The Prairie Oysters have achieved a lot since their formation in 2006. They have travelled the country playing everywhere from small farming communities to major festivals in regional and capital cities. Their following continues to grow around Australia and internationally thanks to the success of their album sales and radio airplay.

The Prairie Oysters’ popularity has been recognised over the years with several awards and nominations. In October 2011, the boys won the inaugural AIADA People’s Choice Awards receivng a cash prize of $10,000. Earlier in the year, they were Top Two finalists in the 2011 Victorian and National Country Music Awards for Victorian Album of the Year and Best Group.

Prior to that they received the Country Music Guild of Australasia Award for Most Popular Band in 2007, 2009 and 2010. In 2008, they were a top ten finalist for Best New Talent in the National Country Music Awards and received a Golden Guitar Nomination in the same year for their single When The Dust Settles.

The band released their debut album Livin’ For The Weekend in 2010 which has received rave reviews in Australia and internationally.

In addition to their original compositions, The Prairie Oysters churn ourt a great mix of songs from artists including CCR, The Eagles, Steve Earle, Paul Kelly, Johnny Cash and more. The secret to their success is all down to one very important factor. FUN! The band is made up of four very competent musicians who don’t take life too seriously and love doing what they do.

Tony Bonnici has been playing in bands since the mid 70s gaining a reputation as a versatile singer and musician. In the 80’s he formed the hard rocking pub outfit, Proprietary Limited and then went on to become the front-man for the Melbourne club band The Most. Tony is also a sound engineer and producer who has worked in many parts of the recording and broadcast industry. Tony grew up listening to Country and Rock’n’Roll and is into “honest music that can kick my butt, make me cry or both”. His bass playing and powerful vocals are crucial to the band’s sound, writing and producing and providing “grunt” to the overall sound of The Prairie Oysters.

As the seasoned subject of drummer jokes, Rob Street has earned the right to shrug them off as he has earned himself a reputation as a versatile and sought after musician. He has played professionally since the early 70s and was a founding member of The Vincents. He was also a member of Rough Cut, and The Most. Rob’s talents also include live sound production working with a number of shows around Melbourne and Victoria. As a drummer, Rob is as solid as a rock and combined with Tony’s bass, creates a tight, chest- pounding foundation. Rob voice adds to the band’s vocal mix offering lead and backing vocals. Rob is also a major songwriter in the band and plays guitar but that will never stop the drummer jokes.

Dave Miles joined the Oysters in June 2010. He’s no stranger to the band though, and goes back a number of years with Rob as the bass-player in The Vincents during the 80s and 90s. Dave is originally from Western Australia and began his music career at the age of 12, playing the organ and guitar. Throughout the 70s and early 80s, Dave fronted a number of Perth outfits including the hard rock outfit The Jackals. He's since worked and played all over Australia with different bands playing everything from country to punk. Dave has since rediscovered his country music roots listening to the likes of Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakim, Paul Kelly and John Mellencamp. Dave brings his unique “mongrel country” style guitar to give the band a hot front line.

Jamie Argent-Jones is also West Australian and has been in Melbourne since 2009. Whilst in Fremantle, Jamie was playing everything from Irish drinking songs to underground psych-rock. Since moving to Melbourne, he has been performing with some of Melbourne’s top musicians as the guitarist with Sol Haus And The Spokesmen, a ‘50s and ‘60s R&B/soul revue. Jamie’s interest in country music was sparked in his teens after purchasing a few couple of country records with a like-minded friend. He became increasingly interested in honky-tonk country, blues, western swing and Zydeco, and these varied influences show in his versatile guitar playing. He joined The Prairie Oysters in late 2010.