AN AUSTRALIAN 4 PIECE CIGAR BOX GUITAR BAND - WHERE THE MUSICIANS HAVE AS MUCH PERSONALITY AS THE INSTRUMENTS!

Born from the dirt roads and dive bars of regional NSW, Barrel Dawg they are a ragged collective of musicians who blend blues, country, and roots with unrelenting passion for Cigar Box Guitar. 

Known for their ferocious live performances & unapologetic sound, they continue to carve their own path in the world of underground, outlaw blues & roots music.  Fronted by Cigar Box Guitar player, Mama B-Dawg

ABOUT THE DAWGS

They are storytellers, from up in them thar hills in Regional NSW!

Barrel Dawg are a bit mountain music, bluesy, rootsie, swampy and tad dark country… whatever the case, together, these guys are deadset, fair dinkim, fun story tellers and it’s all about having a rip snorting good time!

Undoubtedly, they are an interesting bunch of misfits who will have you on your feet with our unique sound, stirring up a foot stomp'n frenzy. 

Whether it is our unique Swampy Cigar Box Guitar with slide, the fast paced hillbilly ditties, dark folky ballads, our  fun larrikin attitudes or our wild percussionist who wears his tambourine as a collar, Barrel Dawg are sure to be entertaining!

Expect some crowd engaging antics from this bunch, as they love a sing-along!

What makes Barrel Dawg different?

Rooted in the belief that music is a universal language, Barrel Dawg uses their platform to challenge stereotypes, promote accessibility, and empower others to embrace their differences.

Barrel Dawg is an inspiring, inclusive Australian musical collective that brings together a diverse group of talented musicians, all of whom proudly live with disabilities. With a shared passion for breaking down barriers, celebrating individuality, and creating foot-stomping anthems they channel the heart and soul of working-class grit, backed by the unmistakable growl of a cigar box guitar. The band blends a wide range of genres—including rock, folk, country, swamp and blues—creating a sound that is both powerful and uniquely their own.

Their performances showcase not only exceptional musicianship but also a deep sense of resilience, creativity, and unity.

Through their uplifting songs and energetic stage presence, Barrel Dawg is redefining what it means to be a part of the music world, proving that talent knows no limits. With every note, they continue to inspire fans worldwide, creating a space where everyone—regardless of ability—can feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

Their music explores a range of themes from personal introspection to social commentary, with their dirty, swamp sounds stemming from Mella’s love of cigar box guitar, group vocals and percussion. With gritty guitar riffs, infectious rhythms, and passionate vocals, the band has built a loyal following on the live music circuit. Barrel Dawg Band's authenticity and stage presence have made them a standout act, offering an unforgettable musical journey with every show.

PURCHASE OUR LATEST aLBUM!

Howlin' Good Times

Barrel Dawg Band Australia

Good ol' fashion CD Version of the Album. Gritty, swampy, and dripping with whiskey-soaked swagger, Barrel Dawg's highly anticipated new album, Howlin’ Good Times, is a thunderous blend of blues, roots, country, and Read more

Good ol' fashion CD Version of the Album. Gritty, swampy, and dripping with whiskey-soaked swagger, Barrel Dawg's highly anticipated new album, Howlin’ Good Times, is a thunderous blend of blues, roots, country, and backwoods mountain music. A powerhouse of growling vocals, foot-stomping rhythms, and haunting melodies. With songs that weave tales of trauma, mental health, redemption, and the dark corners of the human experience, Barrel Dawg delivers a sonic experience that grips the soul and doesn’t let go.

“This album is like the sun and the moon, it takes the listener on a journey of both dark and light!” says B-Dawg (songwriter). “We wanted to capture raw, unpredictable straight up storytelling like the old school bluesmen with our own signature style —something that feels alive, a little dark and wild, but at times also energetic and uplifting. Like wild dog that could break free from restraints at any moment and lick your face off!”

  1. “Brothers Glee” – A high energy jig about the bond of friends.
  2. “Transporter” – Driving bluesy riffs and a sinners’ confession.
  3. “A Bit of Country” – A tongue in cheek country tune about a resilient country girl.
  4. “Weird Things” - A powerful Anthem for Mental Health Awareness.
  5. “Middle Class Bogan” – A bold, foot-stomping tune.
  6. 4:20 Time: “A tribute to the Waldo’s, creators of the term.
  7. “Dragging You Down” – A high-octane blend of blues and outlaw rock.
  8. “Pain and Desire:” – Traditional blues riffs and haunting vocals.
  9. “My Kingdom” – Poetic swampy sinister storytelling.
  10. "That Man Wore Black" – A gritty, soul-stirring tribute to Johnny Cash.
  11. Old Railroad Trax: – "A blues-rock tribute in honour of a veteran.
  12. “Johnny and His Monster Truck” – Feverish bootstomping tune for late night drinking and sing-alongs soaked with a profanity filled chorus.
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Howlin' Good Times - Digital Album

Barrel Dawg

BARREL DAWG UNLEASHES ‘HOWLIN’ GOOD TIMES’ – A RAW, BLUES-INFUSED TALES FROM THEM THAR HILLS! Gritty, swampy, and dripping with whiskey-soaked swagger, Barrel Dawg is set to release their highly anticipated new album, Read more
BARREL DAWG UNLEASHES ‘HOWLIN’ GOOD TIMES’ – A RAW, BLUES-INFUSED TALES FROM THEM THAR HILLS!

Gritty, swampy, and dripping with whiskey-soaked swagger, Barrel Dawg is set to release their highly anticipated new album, Howlin’ Good Times. This unique 12 Track record is a thunderous blend of blues, roots, country, and backwoods mountain music, calling to mind the smoky storytelling of Tom Waits, the brooding intensity and darkness of Nick Cave, and the raw power of Chrissie Amphlett”. Barrel Dawg continue to push the boundaries of Australian blues and roots music, blending genres and storytelling with authenticity and heart.

Bringing together a powerhouse of growling vocals, foot-stomping rhythms, and haunting melodies, Howlin’ Good Times is an album that doesn’t just ask to be heard-it demands it. With songs that weave tales of family, mental health, redemption, and the dark corners of the human experience, Barrel Dawg delivers a sonic experience that grips the soul and doesn’t let go.

“This album is like the sun and the moon, it takes the listener on a journey of both dark and light!” says B-Dawg (songwriter). “We wanted to capture raw, unpredictable straight up storytelling like the old school bluesmen with our own signature style —something that feels alive, a little dark and wild, but at times also energetic and uplifting. Like wild dog that could break free from restraints at any moment and lick your face off!”

Barrel Dawg continue to push the boundaries of Australian blues and roots music, blending genres and storytelling with authenticity and heart.

SONGS ON THE ALBUM:

1. “Brothers Glee” – A high energy jig about the wonderous benefits of the support of family/friends.

2. “Transporter” – A driving ballad soaked in bluesy riffs and a sinners’ confession.

3. “A Bit of Country” – A tongue in cheek driving country tune about a resilient Australian country girl.

4. “Weird Things” - A Powerful Anthem for Mental Health Awareness (Top 10 Charts for Underground Music and Top 50 Charts for All Genres – Glacer FM. Glacer FM is the The #1 Global Internet Radio Station focusing on Unsigned and Independent Music in all genres.

5. “Middle Class Bogan” – This track is a bold, foot-stomping anthem that channels the heart and soul of working-class grit, backed by the unmistakable growl of a cigar box guitar.

6. 4:20 Time: “A tribute to the Waldo’s who claim to have created the term 4:20. The cigar box guitar licks curl like smoke through the verses, and the vocals slide in smooth and mellow, like a toke shared between friends.

7. “Dragging You Down” – A high-octane blend of blues and outlaw rock that sticks in your head.

8. “Pain and Desire:” – Traditional blues riffs, haunting vocals, and lyrics that cut straight to the core, this track delivers a timeless blues experience that resonates with anyone who’s ever loved a fierce independent woman, who is a little damaged.

9. “My Kingdom” – Dark, brooding, and poetic, channelling swampy sinister storytelling reminiscent of Robert Johnsons ‘Hellhound on my Trail’.

10. "That Man Wore Black" – A gritty, soul-stirring tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash, delivered with raw power on a 3-string cigar box guitar. Channeling the spirit of the man who wore black, this heavy blues-rock anthem growls with distortion, driving rhythm, and deep reverence. With every slide and stomp, "That Man Wore Black" honours Cash’s outlaw legacy with stripped-down storytelling.

11. Old Railroad Trax: – "A heartfelt blues-rock tribute written in honour of a veteran who defied the odds after surviving a devastating accident. With gritty riffs echoing the rumble of distant trains and lyrics steeped in memory and strength, the song follows the journey of a man who’s seen war, pain, and recovery, who found comfort in his guitar.

12. “Johnny and His Monster Truck” – A feverish, boot-stomping anthem made for late night drinking, sing-alongs and a bit of shenanigans.

Recorded in a rustic cabin studio deep in the heart of Beechwood (Port Macquarie) and at dawg kennel at Doctors Gap (Lithgow) Howlin’ Good Times pulses with the grit and authenticity of its surroundings. Barrel Dawg leans into their love for vintage tones, raw production, and a sound that feels as though it’s been passed down through generations of rebel souls and ramblers.

The album drops this May with a launch tour set to follow, hitting honky-tonks, juke joints, and blues bars across NSW.
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I had a listen to Howlin’ Good Times and you’re not wrong — it’s gritty, groovy, and downright infectious. Perfect fit for The Blues Hotel. Let’s make some noise and get those Dawgs howlin’ across the airwaves!” - Kelvin Huggins

Producer/Presenter for The Blues Hotel

UPCOMING SHOWS

There are no upcoming events right now.

Previous events

Barrel Dawg Album Launch

The Coronation Hotel , 41 Williwa St, Portland NSW

Feel the Grit: Barrel Dawg Band Unleash Howlin' Good Times at our Album Launch this June Long weekend and we have a line up other great acts celebrating with us! If raw, foot-stomping blues with a backwoods bite is your kind of sound, then Barrel Dawg's new album Howlin' Good Times is about to become your latest addiction. This isn’t your polished, radio-safe blues. This is the kind of music that crawls out of the swamp at midnight with a cigar box guitar in one hand and a bottle of something strong in the other. Drawing from the primal pulse of Delta blues, the dirt-road stomp of roots rock, and the growling soul of artists like Tom Waits and The White Stripes, Howlin’ Good Times delivers a sound that’s as real as rust and as hot as a Queensland summer night! Hot Hot Hot! Barrel Dawg will be performing some their album favourites live for you! From the first track, the album kicks off with catchy upbeat harmonies and acoustic guitar rhythms moving into electric riffs, slide-soaked solos, and vocals that sound like they were carved out of oak and smoke. The cigar box guitar takes centre stage, reminding you that true music isn’t about perfection-it’s about passion, sweat, and soul. Whether you’re a blues purist, a roots rocker, or someone just looking to feel something real, this album is your jam. But wait, there's more! Not only are us Dawgs going to entertain you, but we've also roped in some of our musician friends to join us for a rip snorting Howlin' Good Time!!! Charlie MaMahon will delight you with his unique Australiana didgeridoo performance, Mattman & Rob'n are going to get ya stomping with their fiery duo and locals Egg Malt are ready to bring the rock!!!! This is a free event proudly supported by The Coronation Hotel! Barrel Dawg is sponsored by Birdwood Guitars and Killer Strings!

6-6:45 Charlie McMahon 7pm – 8pm Mattman and Robyn 8:15 – 9:15 Barrel Dawg 9:30 – 10:30 pm Egg Malt 10:30 – Onwards DJ

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Three Tails Brewery & Smoke House

Mudgee, 13 Lewis Street, Mudgee, Mudgee

Join three dawgs April 12th at the Three Tails Brewery and Smokehouse! Dive into a night filled with the soulful sounds of swamp blues, complemented perfectly by our selection of craft beers and mouthwatering smoked meats. Get ready to tap your feet and sway to the rhythm as the Barrel Dawg trio bring the essence of the country and bluesy vibes to life. This live music show promises to be an immersive experience where the rich flavors of our handcrafted brews meet the smoky allure of our signature dishes. Whether you're a fan of hearty craft beers or simply looking to enjoy an evening of great entertainment, Barrel Dawg's live music Show is the perfect event for you. Gather your friends, bring your appetite, and come celebrate an evening of rhythm, flavor, and community.

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