“Debut LP by Brisbane’s brilliant Greg Hilleard, who we first heard when he was part of the incredible Lost Domain. The Sheik is a solo album that makes us think of a summit between the Gibson Bros and Parachute-era Eugene Chadbourne (or something equally far-fetched). Pretty amazing by any yardstick. Anyway, Greg had a few words he wanted to share.” —Byron Coley, 2018
Here they are: Celebrating 200 years of rock n roll. Former “leader” of Brisbane’s premier room-clearers Strontium Dog (apologies to PORK), whose one and only record is terrible beyond belief (all surviving members agree). Shortly after the timely demise of SD, Gregory was asked to sit in with the Invisible Empire — Brisbane (possibly Australia)’s, number one improv juke jumpers. John Henry decided being named after a dodgy pope was not very RnR and promptly renamed him Papa Lord God (apologies to the deceased). Evidence of the first meeting of minds is on the sadly unavailable Jeezly Fishcakes cassette. The Grubbage album was also recorded around this time. At some point one of the other more urbane members suggested that being named after the KKK (smash the invisible empire) wasn’t maybe the best idea for impressing foreign investors and the name was changed to the Lost Domain. For 20 glorious years we free rocked the bars and verandahs of Brisbane to little or no response. Then Dave died. The guru, teacher, leader and philosopher (pre-war RnR division) was no more. This didn’t sit well with Papa. Working in a gang made for light lifting and, being naturally work-shy, a solo thing wasn’t really on the cards. Depression, madness and homelessness ensued. A period of semi-Calvinist sobriety followed (not recommended). Slowly muscles were stretched and strings were bent. A strong urge to avoid “tuneage” meant there would be no “writing”. Freedom was the score and sound the means. Here is the first evidence for the prosecution/defense: Acoustic tracks recorded mostly first thing in the morning, in bed (Hello Furry Lewis!). Electric guitars recorded at the SweatLodge. Freedom yelps from the creek. Wordless protest. Dig in…
The Sheik of Downfall Creek by PapaLordGod