The Brothers Downunder is an Allman Brothers band experience that replicates a true authentic sound of the Allman Brothers songbook
t’s an absolute treat and joy to watch - The Brothers DownUnder perform live and bring out the epic live improvised jams and the musical journey that unfolds in the moment between the musicians on stage and their energy being carried on to the audience present to experience the classic sound that goes way back to the 70’s live Fillmore East concert recreating the unmistakable twin guitar sounds of Duane Allman and Dickie Bates and the roaring Hammond organ of Gregg Allman and the soulfull songbook of the ABB.
This experience features leading blues Rock royalties from the Australian music scene fronted by one of the country’s finest Geoff Achison on Vocals and Guitars , performing some of the bands classics like -
Whipping post, In memory of Elizabeth Reed, Jessica, Blue sky and Statesboro blues!!!
The band also features country’s renowned jazz-blues drummers Rosscoe Clark and Greg Ohlback on drums
Jamband guitar sensation Ben Chakravorty on slide and guitar, John Tweed Williams on keys and Hammond organ, Dario Moconja on bass and David Armstrong on Latin percussions, and Eric Betts on blues harp and harmonica.
In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed -The Brothers DownUnder
Geoff Achison began his apprenticeship playing lead guitar with legendary Australian bluesman 'Dutch' Tilders’. He departed to pursue his own double-barrelled path, performing either with his electrifying band, The Souldiggers or alone with his beloved acoustic guitar. Drawing upon classic blues & soul and acoustic folk influences, he began touring throughout the USA, UK & Europe winning numerous awards for his guitar playing, songwriting and live performances.
Geoff represented the Melbourne Blues Society at the 'International Blues Challenge' in Memphis TN in 1995. Playing his Solo Acoustic set, Geoff won the coveted 'Albert King Award' and made many new connections on the US scene, not least of which was an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars. Geoff has been a driving force on the Aussie Blues/Roots scene, inspiring and influencing many of his younger compatriots. He is also a respected teacher, presenting several workshops each year and was a regular guest instructor many times at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in Ohio USA. On March 17th 2012, Geoff was invited onstage to jam with the Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon Theatre in NYC, and features on the ‘Instant Live’ ABB album recorded on the night. In 2020 Geoff was honoured to be inducted into the Victorian Blues Hall of Fame.
Ben Chakravorty is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading jam-band guitar stylists — a pioneer in shaping Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead–inspired live experiences across Australia and the wider ANZ region. Known for his expressive slide work, melodic command and fearless improvisation, Ben has become a defining force in keeping the spirit of classic American songbooks and roots-rock alive on local stages.
Featured in Australian Guitar Magazine, Ben’s freestyle playing blends the unmistakable phrasings and licks to the likes of Jerry Garcia and Duane Allman's Southern rock swagger with modern finesse, creating performances that honour tradition while pushing the music forward in thrilling new directions.
As a driving creative force within The Brothers Down Under, Ben helps recreate the legendary Fillmore-era electricity with authenticity and authority — delivering soaring twin-lead passages, deep grooves and extended improvisations that ignite audiences night after night.
Greg is currently drumming and touring extensively with The Brothers DownUnder and also with his wife Liza Ohlback, renowned Blues Artist, and together they have produced 4 albums that have reached No.1 on many blues charts Worldwide - with their first album winning 3 Chain Awards.
He has also drummed and toured with many artists/shows, including Julian Lennon (The Midday Show 1997),"Pearl - The Janis Joplin Show", "The Life and Times of Stevie Wright", and "The King In Concert - David Cazalet as Elvis".
After starting out as a guitarist, in the 60’s John heard a new sound - it was the Hammond Organ. This inspired John to switch to keyboard. Then leaving his home state of Tasmania, John hit the Sydney scene in the 70’s, and was lucky enough to play with some of the legends of early Aussie rock, including Digby Richards, Judy Stone and Ray Brown.
John enjoyed a long stint with the legendary Sydney soul singer, Ron Barry. This was followed by tours of Australia and New Zealand with Renee Geyer, Max Merritt, Mark Hunter and Rick Price.
In the 80’s John took a step back from touring and returned to his home state, where he
played many a piano bar gig at the Hobart Casino and with local bands, occasionally working with Australian and International artists such as Shirley Bassey, Leo De Castro, Jeff St John, Ross Hannaford and Bob Barnard.
While living in Queensland in the 90’s John toured internationally to the US and
Hong Kong with a show band. He returned to Sydney in the mid 2000’s and began gigging on the Sydney scene again.
In recent years John has performed at festivals included Manly, Kiama, Broadbeach and Thredbo Blues. In 2019 John travelled to the Azores (Portugal) as a guest with the Austrian band entry in the European Blues Challenge.
As well as performing with The Brothers Downunder, he is currently a member of The Jewel Tones and also performs solo.
Dario Moconja been performing music professionally for over 25 years, primarily as a bass guitarist; however, his journey has led me through a wide range of genres, including blues, rock, world, and traditional Balkan music. Over the years, he has had the privilege of working with some of Sydney’s finest artists across styles as diverse as gypsy jazz, southern rock, and his first and greatest love — the blues.
His career has taken me to major festivals and venues across Australia, where he has performed alongside some of the most incredible Australian and international musicians and recorded blues albums, traditional Balkan music, and punk/rock projects, and have also contributed to original music for theatre productions.
Touring with a blend of Australian and European artists has given me a deep appreciation for musical diversity and collaboration, something that continues to shape his approach as both a performer and songwriter.
Percussionist Dave Armstrong is a multi talented principal percussionist.
With a strong professional performance history, Dave has a biography that is very broad making him one of Australia’s most prominent percussionists.
This is evident in his employment history.
His career has spanned 45 years thus far working an impressive repertoire of musical styles and in many fields within the entertainment industry.
Rosscoe Clark
Born 1958 (Collarenebri NSW)
Sydney Go to Drummer has played with a multitude of Australian and Internation artist throughout his career. A long time Member of The Foreday Riders (established 1967), The Cyril B Bunter Band and currently playing Dom Turner and the Rural Blues Project.
5 times winner of the Sydney Blues Awards (Drummer)
Blues Portrait: A Profile of the Australian Blues Scene (Volume 4) by Pauline Bailey
Eric Betts was captivated by the sounds of the blues on late-night AM radio shows he used to listen to as a teen on the frozen prairies of Canada, and got hooked on the harmonica after seeing Sonny Terry in concert.
Fast forward to the global financial crisis. With unexpected time on his hands, he decided to get serious. Winning a blues harp competition fuelled his enthusiasm. He spent many hours busking on the streets of Sydney, jamming, forming bands, sitting in with friends’ bands, and being mentored by harp guru Jim Conway.
When not on tour with The Brothers DownUnder He can often be found working on his chops at jams or gigging around town, playing genres spanning blues, folk, country, sea shanties, and good old rock ‘n’ roll. A mate dubbed Eric “Zero Degrees Kelvin,” because he thought that was a “pretty cool” name.