The latest thrilling incarnation of master rock’n’roll storyteller Tex Perkins and the Fat Rubber Band began with a Link Wray record.

Perkins and his respected musician, songwriter, producer and bandmate Matt Walker share a mutual admiration of the American electric guitar innovator, whose iconic power chords in his signature 50s rock’n’roll instrumentals, had a profound influence on the evolution of rock guitar.

The pair have enjoyed countless musical conversations over the decade while hanging out backstage and on the road with Perkins’ award-winning The Man In Black – The Johnny Cash Story, with Walker playing guitar in the Tennessee Four band for the theatrical production.

When Perkins enthused about his partner finding him a rare vinyl copy of Link Wray’s Beans and Fatback album, recorded in 1971, Walker’s response initiated a flurry of creative endeavour which would ultimately result in the formation of the Fat Rubber Band.

“There’s a couple of albums he recorded in a chicken shack on his brother Vernon’s farm, known as the Three Track Shack recordings – one was a self-titled album and the follow-up called Beans and Fatback, which is a little more rare.

“My partner Kristyna knew I was a fan of that record and she’s an ebay ninja and she found a vinyl copy. After I immediately hugged and thanked her for it, I took a picture of it and sent it to Matt Walker. And the fateful words came back: ‘Awesome, let’s make an album like that.’ And that was it. We were on!”

Throughout his four-decade career as a captivating performer, compelling songwriter and dexterous vocalist, Perkins has sought collaborators who both shared his passion for music and challenged his creativity.