Gus Leighton Music
Uncle Gus
and
The Rimshots
Jump, Jive and Swing Party Band
About us
Uncle Gus and The Rimshots are a Hobart based jump jive/swing band that keeps its audience dancing, singing and laughing along to the swing hits of yesterday and today. Playing both original music and the repertoire of swing/jive greats like Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and Bull Moose Jackson; these swingers create a fun-loving atmosphere filled with energy and ban(d)ter that is sure to get everyone buzzing. Gus Leighton fronts the band on lead vocals and roaring saxophone, while Dave Cavallo squawks away on trumpet and Adam Davenport-Hortle slides around on the trombone. Piano player Mathew Olivier, guitarist Thomas Hann, double bassist Sasha Gavlek and drummer Damien Oliver-Black work together to provide a cookin’ rhythm section that your feet won’t be able to stop dancing too! So dust off those dancing shoes, and put on your suspenders – with Uncle Gus and the Rimshots you will swing the night away.
About us
Uncle Gus and The Rimshots are a Hobart based jump jive/swing band that keeps its audience dancing, singing and laughing along to the swing hits of yesterday and today. Playing both original music and the repertoire of swing/jive greats like Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and Bull Moose Jackson; these swingers create a fun-loving atmosphere filled with energy and ban(d)ter that is sure to get everyone buzzing. Gus Leighton fronts the band on lead vocals and roaring saxophone, while Dave Cavallo squawks away on trumpet and Adam Davenport-Hortle slides around on the trombone. Piano player Mathew Olivier, guitarist Aleks Folvig, double bassist Sasha Gavlek and drummer Damien Oliver-Black work together to provide a cookin’ rhythm section that your feet won’t be able to stop dancing too! So dust off those dancing shoes, and put on your suspenders – with Uncle Gus and the Rimshots you will swing the night away.
Meet the Band
Gus "Uncle Gus" Leighton
Saxophone and Vocals
How did you get your nickname?
I am very lucky to be the Uncle of three beautiful girls named Adelaide, Matilda and Lucy however, people have been calling me Uncle since before they were born. I'm not entirely sure why, but hey, I love being an uncle!
Star Sign? Scorpio
Favourite TV Theme Song? It’s a pretty close tie between Fairly Odd Parents and The OG Pokemans theme song
Favourite Drink? My heart says Passion Pop but 9 times out of 10 my stomach regrets that decision and usually, it is Water, Tea and Pepsi Max (or an odd combination of the three) that saves me.
Favourite song we play in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots? It’s pretty close between Barnyard Boogie and Caldonia…. But I’m also a sucker for the good ol’ Tennessee Waltz.
Favourite word? Spelunking
If you had a superpower what would it be? I would want to rep some Avatar powers, control over the elements would be awesome.
Favourite thing about being in the band? My favourite thing about being in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots is working so closely with such a great group of people - Music isn't worth playing unless you are performing alongside your best friends.
David "G'Dale" Cavallo
Trumpet
I attended the UTAS Conservatorium from 2012 to 2015 in which time I completed a Bachelor of Music in contemporary trumpet. As well as playing in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots, I also play with local gypsy punk band The Lawless Quartet and a couple of jazz groups.
How did you get your nickname? G’dale always existed in the ether but he chose to take over my body, and is largely regretting that decision.
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Star Sign? Libra
Favourite TV Theme Song? Gator Boys
Favourite Drink? Prune Juice, go hard or go home.
Favourite song we play in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots? Hoodoo Voodoo Doll
Favourite word? Nincompoop
If you had a superpower what would it be? Knock out gas
Favourite thing about being in the band? I have been in the band for 3 years and no one has complained about the smell…. except Mat.. and Adam… and Tom….. hold on let me rethink this one.
Adam "Trombone Snorty" Davenport-Hortle
Trombone
Born in Hobart, Tasmania, Adam has been surrounded by music since an early age. Picking up his first instrument the piano at age eleven and then transitioning to trombone a few years later and has been playing since.
How did you get your nickname? The nickname 'Trombone Snorty' came from a play on the well known jazz/hip-hop artist 'Trombone Shorty' except being 6'5" I am hardly short...
Star Sign? Leo (just)
Favourite TV Theme Song? Overlord opening theme.
Favourite Drink? Iced tea
Favourite song we play in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots? Either Nosey Joe or Passion Poppin!
Favourite word? Splendid
If you had a superpower what would it be? Time-travel
Favourite thing about being in the band? Combination of the people and music.
Mathew "Schmolivier" Olivier
Keys and Vocals
Hello, this is Schmo. I like most things. I’m currently 22 years old and Hobart, Tasmania has been my home for most of it. Humour and music are very important elements of my existence, I’m a very lucky boy to be exposed to so much of both.
How did you get your nickname? Ask Gus.
Star Sign? Pisces.
Favourite TV Theme Song? Impossible question. Goof Troop’s is amazing, Fairly Odd Parents’ is amazing, the original Pokémon theme is powerful as, and The Simpsons theme is an eternal classic.
Favourite Drink? Look, mate, I love a bloody cuppa.
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Favourite song we play in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots? If You’re So Smart, How Come You Ain’t Rich.
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Favourite word? Buttress.
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If you had a superpower what would it be? The power to never be asked this question.
Favourite thing about being in the band? The band is my family and I love them.
Aleks "All Star" Folvig
Guitar
How did you get your nickname? I'm sure there’s a joke somewhere in there about the Smash Mouth song, but I suppose much like the dictionary definition, I’m a member of an all-star team.
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Star Sign? Cancer.
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Favourite TV Theme Song? Cowboy Bebop!
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Favourite Drink? ​Water’s pretty useful, not to mention versatile, but my favourite drink would probably be purple Powerade.
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Favourite song we play in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots​? It’s A Jungle Out There/Monk Theme.
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Favourite word? ​Squoikle
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If you had a superpower what would it be? Ability to remember both names and faces.
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Favourite thing about being in the band? All of it! Wearing purple as band uniform, playing with everyone, and being able to play such wholesome music.
Sasha "Grand Master Sash" Gavlek ​
Double Bass
Hello! My name is Sasha, and I play the double bass (aka the big boy violin). I like to have bevvies with good friends, try art now and then, and play music. I love to play with as many different people as I can. There’s always something new to discover and learn; the possibilities are endless. I love jamming out new material with mates and performing to live audiences which is one of the most rewarding experiences I can think of.
How did you get your nickname? Gus blessed with me with this nickname (derived from Grand Master Flash). Certainly one of the best ones I’ve ever had.
Star Sign? Gemini.
Favourite TV Theme Song? The Brooklyn Nine-Nine theme is an undeniable banger.
Favourite Drink? A good dark cup of tea with a splosh of milk and one sugar.
Favourite song we play in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots? I Wanna Be Like You
Favourite word? Wild.
As a substitute for insane/awesome/fully sick etc. because I’m hip with the kids.
If you had a superpower what would it be? If I had just a little bit of super strength, I could finally win an arm-wrestling match. That’s all I could ever ask for.
Favourite thing about being in the band? It’s absolutely the best when audience members react to our music with hollering and dancing. Nothing beats the thrill of that. The energy and the cheeky ban(d)ter between the lads during onstage performances is also priceless.
Damien "Dougie D" Oliver-Black
Drums
Damien ‘Dougie D’ Oliver-Black has played Drums and Percussion for over 15 years. He completed a Bachelor of Music in 2014, majoring in contemporary jazz and Latin performance. He currently plays in a large number of ensembles in Tasmania, with well over 400 professional gigs under his belt. As well as having an active performance career, he is currently the Head of Music for Claremont College, where he teaches Music, Music Technologies and Media Production.
How did you get your nickname? One day when I was about 12 years old, my Dad started calling me ‘Doug’. What can I say……. The name stuck!!!
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Star Sign? Taurus……. Raging Bull of the Band. Swing hard or go home.
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Favourite TV Theme Song? I’m an early 90’s kid, so no surprises I can’t choose between ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and ‘Pokémon’. Thanks for those beautiful years ‘Cheese TV’.
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Favourite Drink? Depends on time of day. I’m a coffee man in the morning, but love a good old ‘cold one’ on a summer afternoon for the weekend. For G rated options, can’t go past Vanilla Coke or Brown Creaming Soda.
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Favourite song we play in Uncle Gus and The Rimshots? I wanna be like you. But I’d be lying if I said dark eyes doesn’t get the adrenalin rush on ;)
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Favourite word? Grouse – Early 90’s all the way.
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If you had a superpower what would it be? I just want to be a Super Saiyan. I also frequently have dreams about saving everyone and being an absolute hero. I obviously have some weird ego-complex.
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Favourite thing about being in the band? Music is a language, and language is made through conversing. For me, this band is all about mateship and communicating together through our musical interactions. I still believe that when listening back to ‘the greats’, that the ‘vibe’ is actually their relationship, you can hear them having fun and interacting through musical conversation. That’s what this band is for me.