BRINGING BACK ‘THE BOSS’ By Melissa Walsh If you love Bruce Springsteen then you don’t want to miss Thunder Road ‘The songs of Bruce Springsteen’ at The Grand Hotel on November 20. Without a doubt Australia’s number one Bruce Springsteen tribute band, Thunder Road capture the magic of a true live Bruce Springsteen show in all its rocking glory. Thunder Road take their audiences on a musical journey through Bruce’s entire career. Playing all of Bruce’s classic hits from ‘Born to Run’ and ‘Born in the USA’ through to his current day releases. Talented Mornington musician, Gavin Leadbetter from Nepean Music heads up a full seven piece ‘E-street’ style backing band and they don’t cut any corners on their way to giving Springsteen fans, a show as good as it gets. “It all came about after we had a successful country rock band which is still going, and decided to have a break from that,” says Leadbetter. “We realized we played Springsteen music together really well and we added a couple of different members to the band to make up like the E-string band with an organ and saxophone and female vocal to give it that big authentic sound. It was about 2012 when we started putting this band together.” Along with Leadbetter on lead vocals and
guitar, the Thunder Road band includes Mitch Dean, backing vocals, guitar and harmonica, Darren Shiels, drums, Dean Harris, bass, Simon Leveret, piano and organ, Dave Hedges, saxophone, brass instruments, organ, and Natalie Mincher, backing vocals. “Our very first gig was in 2012 and we simply spread the word we were doing Bruce Springsteen songs and the work started pouring in. I am not Bruce Springsteen but we do put the
energy across the songs across and that’s how we do it,” says Leadbetter. “We do all his hits, everything from Born to Run to Born in the USA and everything in between, all the big album tracks and all the crazy hits in between.” With an audience following of the old faithful Springsteen fans that have been loving his music since the 70s and young kids who have just started getting into the classic Springsteen vibe, the show at the Grand is sure to be epic.
“We sill be doing two big one hour sets on the night, starting around 8.30pm, and we can’t wait,” says Leadbetter. But tickets online or at the door. This is an 18+ event. Thunder Road ‘Songs of Bruce Springsteen’ is at The Grand Hotel, 124 Main Street, Mornington, Friday November 20 from 8pm till midnight. Phone 5975 2001. www.grand.net.au
CASUAL AND CREATIVE AT COUNTING HOUSE By Melissa Walsh A sunny modern deck, a fresh coat of paint and new menu and the Counting House is back with a relaunch; with owner Max Griffin breathing new life into the circa 1912 bank building.
and a more upmarket vibe. In moving with the times, we decided to stay true to our quality produce and dishes, but create a more casual menu that offers full meals as well as grazing plates and nibbles.”
Relax on the front terrace looking over the park and bay, with a wine, a beer or just a coffee and cake, or enjoy some tasty delights from the new Counting House menu.
Enjoy the best of both worlds with the Counting House offering delicious specials every day like the Counting House pie, or the Bank Sandwich. There is gnocchi with broad beans and peas, pork sausages with chargrilled apple and mash, and scotch fillet with fries. For those who like to graze, you can’t go past the pork sliders, duck liver pate, or pumpkin and goats cheese croquettes.
Inside the bleached wood décor and timber floors provide the perfect backdrop for the stunning new artworks that light up the rooms, so there’s still plenty of French charm to enjoy, from the restaurant that sits on the promenade.
For a special dinner or catching up with friends, the evening menu is mouth watering, including oysters with shallot and red wine vinegar, pork, chicken, pistachio and prune terrine for starters, or clam linguine with white wine sauce, and smoked duck salad with beets and feta to name a few.
With an extensive background in hospitality, Max has developed his skills whilst working in restaurants overseas and currently owning inner city bars. After moving to the Mornington Peninsula with his family, and teaming up with head chef Gavin Ong, he was finally able to fulfill his dream of owning a restaurant by the ocean when he purchased the 100 year old building. “The historic building was previously the state savings bank, which is why it has the name Counting House,” says Max. “It has heaps of original features and even the repainting had to be done in heritage colors. We have the original building’s
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fireplace, pressed metal ceilings, and bank vault, which has been converted into a wine cellar. The blackbird silhouette is the emblem of the counting house and is historically significant.” With dishes sourced from mainly local
suppliers and a seasonal menu, Counting House always offers gastronomic surprises. “Part of the refurbishment has been to change the menu to a more casual fare,” explains Max. “We had previously been more a la carte with classic French dishes
Counting House is fully licensed and offers a comprehensive wine list that showcases local wineries, and breweries in Red Hill and Mornington. Counting House is at 787 Esplanade, Mornington. Phone 5975 2055. www.countinghouse.com.au