Chris Masuak

Chris Masuak with Hitmen DTK: October 2009 - Cherry Bar, Melbourne Australia

Chris Masuak is a Canadian-born Australian rock musician, guitarist and songwriter. He joined the influential Sydney-based punk rock group Radio Birdman in late 1976,[1] and for his other outfits The Hitmen,[2] and The Screaming Tribesmen.[3] He has also been a member of The Raouls, New Christs, The Juke Savages, and Klondike's North 40.

His nickname of "Klondike" came from having spent part of his youth growing up in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Klondike's North 40 released their debut album "The Straight Path" on I-94 Bar Records in November 2007. It is a raw, high powered romp amidst a series of rock and roll genres. Paying homage in part to middle eastern ragas, the album is essentially propped up by the truly superb vocals of journeyman soul singer Matt Sulman. Masuak continues to impress with finger work reminiscent of his early glory days. Bass player Red Porter creates a buoyant, yet maleable bed of groovaliscious solidity upon which the various talents of the band are highlighted.

Masuak re-joined a new line-up of the Hitmen in December 2007. National tours followed, including an appearance at Cherry Rock in Melbourne and an Australian run with Detroit punk rock diva Niagara as special guest.

Masuak re-located to Spain in January 2010 with European tours lined up as guest guitarist with French band the Outside and Brazil-based Simon Chainsaw. Before leaving Australia he completed work on his album "Workhorse" which was released in 2011 on I-94 Bar Records.

In 2011, Masuak joined a reformed line-up of the Screaming Tribesmen for Australian shows, playing Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The "Bones and Flowers" line-up toured Europe in 2012, playing Spain's Azkena Festival and four dates in France.

In December 2013 and January 2014, Masuak played a string of solo band shows around Sydney.

With a box set released, Radio Birdman reformed in October-November 2014. Masuak was omitted from the line-up with long-standing bad relations between him and singer Rob Younger given as the reason for his sacking.

References

  1. ↑ Ian McFarlane (1999). The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. pp. 507–508. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  2. ↑ Ian McFarlane (1999). The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. pp. 287–288. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  3. ↑ Ian McFarlane (1999). The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. pp. 559–560. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Retrieved 8 June 2013.