Chicago Dime is a Melbourne based Chicago-Texas fusion blues band.
The band’s love for the blues runs deep, their name taken from a Buddy Guy lyric: “‘I went to Chicago lookin’ for a dime and found a quarter.”
Led by Pete Hachel and JR Barling, the band’s raw energy and intensity is reminiscent of some of the best blues and improvisational music that Australia has ever offered.
Chicago Dime have the feeling that makes the blues real by involving the audience, dancing on tables, and impromptu band members.
One thing is clear about Chicago Dime; they’re never going to repeat themselves.
The band’s love for the blues runs deep, their name taken from a Buddy Guy lyric: “‘I went to Chicago lookin’ for a dime and found a quarter.”
Led by Pete Hachel and JR Barling, the band’s raw energy and intensity is reminiscent of some of the best blues and improvisational music that Australia has ever offered.
Chicago Dime have the feeling that makes the blues real by involving the audience, dancing on tables, and impromptu band members.
One thing is clear about Chicago Dime; they’re never going to repeat themselves.
"Chicago Dime take you to a free-spirited blues party deep down in a basement bar. It’s hot, sweaty and steamy, but will leave you feeling like a million bucks” -Lara Smetannikov (Happy Mag)
“Amazing how the sound has been achieved in Melbourne! Great brass section. Vocals with grunt from Peter are outstanding. Ripper electric guitar solo.” -Alyssa Borda (AMNplify)
"It reminds me of when I used to live in Chicago. I could listen to this all day long. Great job and so much talent!"
-ReverbNation Curator
“Chicago Dime are so much more than their recordings. As anyone who has seen them live will tell you, this is a band you have to meet in person.” -Happy Mag Editor
“Amazing how the sound has been achieved in Melbourne! Great brass section. Vocals with grunt from Peter are outstanding. Ripper electric guitar solo.” -Alyssa Borda (AMNplify)
"It reminds me of when I used to live in Chicago. I could listen to this all day long. Great job and so much talent!"
-ReverbNation Curator
“Chicago Dime are so much more than their recordings. As anyone who has seen them live will tell you, this is a band you have to meet in person.” -Happy Mag Editor
Our current lineup is:
Pete Hachel - Guitars & Vocals
JR Barling - Trumpet, Flugel & Superbone
Matt Davis - Bass Guitar
Rob Drinkwater - Drums
Pete Hachel - Guitars & Vocals
JR Barling - Trumpet, Flugel & Superbone
Matt Davis - Bass Guitar
Rob Drinkwater - Drums
PETE HACHEL:
Pete Hachel is the latest great Blues/Rock guitarist to come out of Melbourne Australia. Pete comes to every gig with two things - His Strat and his raw energy.
Heavily steeped in the Blues and Rock, Pete brings all of his influences to bare. From Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Larry Carlton and even Richie Blackmore, Pete brings it together with a new and fresh energy to his Guitar and Vocals in every show and every release.
With the Pete Hachel Trio, co-founding and fronting blues powerhouse Chicago Dime and playing in Melbourne’s cover band Groove 67, Pete has grounded himself as a mainstay in the Melbourne and Australian music scene When you hear Pete play you know it’s real. Every chord and every note is intense, hot and heavy. The crowd can feel the energy build every time and with every songs he plays.
Pete Hachel plays a Fender Stratocaster and Takamine acoustic electric guitar.
Pete Hachel is the latest great Blues/Rock guitarist to come out of Melbourne Australia. Pete comes to every gig with two things - His Strat and his raw energy.
Heavily steeped in the Blues and Rock, Pete brings all of his influences to bare. From Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Larry Carlton and even Richie Blackmore, Pete brings it together with a new and fresh energy to his Guitar and Vocals in every show and every release.
With the Pete Hachel Trio, co-founding and fronting blues powerhouse Chicago Dime and playing in Melbourne’s cover band Groove 67, Pete has grounded himself as a mainstay in the Melbourne and Australian music scene When you hear Pete play you know it’s real. Every chord and every note is intense, hot and heavy. The crowd can feel the energy build every time and with every songs he plays.
Pete Hachel plays a Fender Stratocaster and Takamine acoustic electric guitar.
JR BARLING:
A country boy at heart, JR has been playing Brass instruments for over 30 years and performed multiple styles with Australian bands and artists such as James Morrison, Geoff Payne and John St. Peeters. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Melba Conservatorium of Music, he taught piano and brass at many schools while moonlighting in corporate bands.
JR also performs with My Flight, Groove 67, Northside Jazz Orchestra and other bands across Melbourne.
JR Barling plays an Andalucia trumpet, King flugel and Schiller superbone.
A country boy at heart, JR has been playing Brass instruments for over 30 years and performed multiple styles with Australian bands and artists such as James Morrison, Geoff Payne and John St. Peeters. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Melba Conservatorium of Music, he taught piano and brass at many schools while moonlighting in corporate bands.
JR also performs with My Flight, Groove 67, Northside Jazz Orchestra and other bands across Melbourne.
JR Barling plays an Andalucia trumpet, King flugel and Schiller superbone.
MATT DAVIS:
Matt has been playing continually for 34 years, cutting his teeth on the Melbourne music scene from the late 80's.
He has played and composed songs in many bands across a variety of genres such as original acts Sequoia, Saratoga, Windscreen Vipers, Joysticks, Headrush Honey, Dreamland and Pornsta, as well as cover acts Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Party Animals, Joyride and Chicago-based blues band, No Excuses.
Matt Davis plays a Fender Bass Guitar.
Matt has been playing continually for 34 years, cutting his teeth on the Melbourne music scene from the late 80's.
He has played and composed songs in many bands across a variety of genres such as original acts Sequoia, Saratoga, Windscreen Vipers, Joysticks, Headrush Honey, Dreamland and Pornsta, as well as cover acts Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Party Animals, Joyride and Chicago-based blues band, No Excuses.
Matt Davis plays a Fender Bass Guitar.
ROB DRINKWATER:
Rob started playing drums at the age of 14 and cut his teeth in the vibrant Australian pub scene in the early 80's as a member of Melbourne ska band, No Nonsense. Classified as ska by some and nutty by others, No Nonsense is one of the most high-profile Australian ska bands of the era gaining Australian chart success.
He has been a professional musician and played in a number of cover bands across Melbourne.
Rob Drinkwater plays a Vintage Gretsch Drum Kit.
Rob started playing drums at the age of 14 and cut his teeth in the vibrant Australian pub scene in the early 80's as a member of Melbourne ska band, No Nonsense. Classified as ska by some and nutty by others, No Nonsense is one of the most high-profile Australian ska bands of the era gaining Australian chart success.
He has been a professional musician and played in a number of cover bands across Melbourne.
Rob Drinkwater plays a Vintage Gretsch Drum Kit.
Scary's Reviews - http://www.facebook.com/scarysreviews
Chicago Dime is a 4 piece Chicago-Texas Blues fusion band from Melbourne who told us the thrill is gone and home sweet home is Chicago. The musicianship is perfect, seeing the 2nd guitarist play a trumpet and trombone at the same time was crazy. (Nothing I’ve seen before, it was great). There were a few slick solos by the lead guitarist/vocalist, whose voice is smokey and very suiting for the Blues. When he and the other guitarist left the stage to join the patrons for a bit of a jive, this was an awesome and joyful time. The bassist, progressive and stylish, really gave the fretboard a work out. The drummer was in the zone, numerous beats, fills that were soulful and he just wanted cowbell. Chicago dime is worth every dollar spent at the bar, made at the door as you hit the dance floor.
MarkyBoy - Triple J Unearthed
I really dig the Miles type trumpet with stylish blues guitar and good fell vocal. Nice work gents! 4/5 everybody be free love the vibe!
Chicago Dime is a 4 piece Chicago-Texas Blues fusion band from Melbourne who told us the thrill is gone and home sweet home is Chicago. The musicianship is perfect, seeing the 2nd guitarist play a trumpet and trombone at the same time was crazy. (Nothing I’ve seen before, it was great). There were a few slick solos by the lead guitarist/vocalist, whose voice is smokey and very suiting for the Blues. When he and the other guitarist left the stage to join the patrons for a bit of a jive, this was an awesome and joyful time. The bassist, progressive and stylish, really gave the fretboard a work out. The drummer was in the zone, numerous beats, fills that were soulful and he just wanted cowbell. Chicago dime is worth every dollar spent at the bar, made at the door as you hit the dance floor.
MarkyBoy - Triple J Unearthed
I really dig the Miles type trumpet with stylish blues guitar and good fell vocal. Nice work gents! 4/5 everybody be free love the vibe!