Billy Milroy
One String Tea Chest Bass

"Milroy has surprisingly accurate intonation and even thrummed a pretty solo on Misty."
Sydney Morning Herald

Billy Milroy was a sensitive child.  His musical career began as conductor of the kindergarten percussion band.  He was soon replaced by the teacher's pet and relegated to playing the triangle.  The disappointment was so profound Billy didn't play again for twenty-five years.  His comeback and rebirth saw him join the Byron Bay based Zanziband - playing electric bass.
 
Through the 1980s he played electric bass for bands in Sydney, Melbourne and Byron Bay including Blue Dog, Sticky Fingers Ophelia and her Flowers.
 
In 1990 Billy began playing the Single String Bass (also called Tea Chest, Skiffle, Gut-Bucket and Bush Bass) with a group called The Stars in De Skies.  In 1992 joined The Sundowners with Mick Slocum from the Bushwackers touring from Hong Kong to Kansas City via Mokpow.  1994-96 Billy played with pianist John Crowley in his jazz trio performing in Melbourne and at Jazz Festivals.
 
In 1997 fate led Bill back to Byron Bay and into the orbit of ukulele legend Azo Bell.  Tim Reeves turned up soon after and the Old Spice Boys enjoyed a year of folk festivals and pub gigs.   Billy then fled to Melbourne where he formed Granny Magnet with accordionist Robert Stephens.
 
Back with Old Spice Boys in 2000 - Billy has now secured his status as the best one-string bassist in the World.  Some refer to him as the 'Errol Flynn of the tea-chest' despite it being hard to determine what that might mean.
 
Billy Milroy is credited with changing the course of tea-chest bass technology with the invention of a device now known as the 'Milroy's Cleat' which secures his 3.5mm sash cord at a precise tension.

Contact Billy
Mob: 0418 332209