The band covers hits from Beccy Cole, Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain to name a few, along with some real pub anthems.

“We’ve got some real rock favorites like Bad Mooning Rising, Proud Mary, Long Train Running and China Grove but we’re not your typical pub band,” lead singer Trish Hart said.

“We’re introducing people to some songs they might not know.”  

Mustang recently played its first gigs in Taree. Hart said it had been a long time coming.

“We’ve been trying to form this band for about 10 years,” she said.

“It was trying to find the right people to play Linda Ronstadt and Shania songs. It’s American and Australian country rock – songs with a beat but a message – songs that won’t put you to sleep.”

Grahame Griffin (bass) and Dick Ayre (fiddle) have previously worked with Hart. Joining the line up are Rob Godwin (lead guitar), Rick Rhodes (drums) and Terry Helliker (keys).

Hart has long played on the pub tour circuit. It began in the 80s with Tamworth rock group Token, through places like Nyngen and Parkes.

From 2000 to 2003 Hart lived in Melbourne where she even joined a dance trio. But the Hunter’s been home since the and she last year released the solo album, Hart Road.

“It’s in my blood, this kind of music,” she said.

“It’s the kind of music I like to play and write, so there will be a song or two of mine in the sets we play.”

She said like many country artists she wrote from a deeply personal space.

“I’ve been in bands since I was 16, so I’ve had many experiences and I’ve probably seen a few things I shouldn’t have, and I’ve been divorced, so it all influences my songs,” she said.

“I don’t want Mustang to be just another pub band. We want people to recognise a few songs but we want them to fall in love with some new songs.”

Mustang will play a free gig at Club Lemon Tree on Saturday, November 25, starting 7.30pm.