The Bad Dad Orchestra will launch their debut release on Saturday.

Guitarist Liam Guthrie described the release as “longer than a single but shorter than an EP”.

Its three tracks are original songs, in a move that’s slightly distant from the band’s start in covers.

Guthrie said the band began its life playing “a few covers” in order to find some harmony and rhythm in a band of nine musicians.

“We’ve worked that out, and we’re down to being an original band, which is good,” he said.

The orchestra includes three sets of vocals, two guitars, drums, bass, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet, and comprises Jimi Steele, Carl Treasure, Luke Young, Elliot Courtnage, Carl Bulow, Chris Bonner, Vince Walker, and Shaun Dearing.

Guthrie said laying down the releases’ tracks was a learning process.

“It was a lot different to what we’ve done previously,” he said.

The band played its first gig in January this year, and was formed by Guthrie and drummer Young, who together form the duo Guthrie.

“It was an idea that we’ve toyed with for quite some time, to do something different,” Guthrie said. 

“We were after that big band sound, a bit more of a funk-soul kind of sound.

“It has been a slow sort of process. We started this band with no real ambition, it was a fun thing to do… Get some of our mates (together) with the premise that you have to be a dad to be in the band.

“Almost by accident we’ve ended up with some sh*t-hot players.”

While some of the members have worked together collaboratively before, and even been in bands together, many of them, musically, are worlds apart.

Guthrie said the cross-pollination of genres – big band meets rock meets blues – had expanded his mind and musical friendship circle.

“I’m now working with players that I wouldn’t have played with a year ago,” he said.

The Bad Dad Orchestra will launch its debut release on Saturday, December 3, at Saint John Craft Beer, with support from Jesse Higgs.

The show starts at 8pm, and entry is $10, or $15 for entry and a CD.