The Most Dangerous Band in Town.

The Counterfeit are Australia’s premier Spaghetti Western band, reviving and reimagining the cinematic soundscapes of the genre’s golden era. Hailing from Melbourne, this 12-piece ensemble has carved out a unique place in the music scene, channelling the dusty, dramatic, and electrifying energy of 1960s Italian Western film scores.

Formed in September 2022, The Counterfeit burst onto the scene with their debut album, 14 Killer Bullets from the Spaghetti West (Vol. 1). Independently produced and released through their label, Fight Night Records, the album was a love letter to the classics—featuring chromatic harmonica, twangy electric guitars, trumpet, violin, and the classic sound of the Fender Bass VI —all meticulously arranged to evoke the era’s iconic sound. Their sold-out launch show at Brunswick Ballroom signalled the arrival of something truly special.

Their sophomore effort, 14 Killer Bullets from the Spaghetti West (Vol. 2), released in November 2023, expanded their sonic frontier by incorporating vocals, with acclaimed singer-songwriter Freya Josephine Hollick lending her voice to five tracks. The album was named 'Feature Album of the Week' by PBS FM and earned a Music Victoria nomination for 'Best Country Work' cementing The Counterfeit’s status as more than just revivalists—they were shaping the future of Spaghetti Western music.

Beyond the studio, The Counterfeit have become a must-see live act, selling out 12 headline shows across Melbourne, Sydney, regional Victoria, and New South Wales, drawing crowds of nearly 5,000. Their performances at renowned venues such as Thornbury Theatre, Theatre Royal Castlemaine, and Brunswick Ballroom, as well as festival appearances at White Night Ballarat, Boogie Festival, and Dashville Skyline, have earned them critical acclaim.

Now, The Counterfeit stand on the precipice of their most ambitious project yet. With their upcoming fourth album, ‘Violent Night on the Prairie’, they step boldly into original composition, crafting 14 brand-new tracks that pay homage to the grandeur of classic Spaghetti Western scores while infusing contemporary influences. This marks a defining moment for the band—a transition from interpreters to modern pioneers of the genre, solidifying their place in the global landscape of Spaghetti Western music.

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