Tinsley Robert Waterhouse,[1] started as a drummer in the 1960s in Melbourne, first with blues groups, the Gravy Train and then the Horse before briefly joining a New Zealand-formed band, Chants R&B in mid-1967.[2] He formed Tinsley Waterhouse's Old Tracks in 1979, which became the Tinsley-Townsend Band in April of the following year and then the Tinsley Waterhouse Band in July 1980.[2]
In February 1981 the group issued a four-track extended play, Full of Ink an' Talkin' Shorthand, via Project 9 Records.[2] For the EP Waterhouse, on lead vocals, was joined by John Ballard on tenor saxophone and guitar (ex-Phil Manning Band, Broderick Smith's Big Combo), Steve Ewart on trombone, Noel Herridge on drums (ex-Sid Rumpo, Wild Beaver Band, One Armed Bandit), Neil Hodgson on bass guitar (ex-Fox), Gerry Joyce on guitar (ex-Gulliver's Travels), and Sean O'Sullivan on trumpet.[2] Roadrunner's Donald Robertson observed, in April 1981, that it provided, "Enjoyable, undemanding soul/R&B [...] the best track is the one original, 'I've Been Dreaming', which features triffic horns and Mr. Waterhouse's strong gravelly vocals, with feeling."[3]
Tinsley Waterhouse Band's debut album, After the Mudd You've Got ... The Tinsley Waterhouse Band, appeared in October 1982 via EMI Custom.[2] Alongside Waterhouse and Ballard the group's line-up were the latter's ex-Broderick Smith's Big Combo band-mates, Peter Lee on drums, Mick "The Reverend" O'Connor on Hammond organ and Ron Robertson on bass guitar.[2][4] In March of the following year his backing band were Joyce and Roberston joined by Paul Hitchins on drums (ex-the Sports, Nighthawks), Chris Stockley on guitar (ex-Cam-Pact, Axiom, Dingoes, Stockley See Mason Band, Rock Doctors), and Neil Wyatt on saxophone (ex-Dutch Tilders, Keith Lamb's Airport).[2] By August 1984 Stockley and Robertson were joined by Barry Cram on drums (ex-Michael Turner in Session, Avalanche, Russell Morris Band, Contraband, Ideals) and Leigh Horton on saxophone (ex-Saxons, Pete Watson's Rockhouse).[2]
Tinsley Waterhouse Band's second album, Hangin' Around (1985), was recorded in three separate sessions using three different line-ups. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, "As well as covers of a number of R&B; staples like Robert Johnson's 'Sweet Home Chicago' and Jimmy Witherspoon's 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?', the album included the single 'Don't Get Mad'."[2] For his third album, I've Been Dreaming (1988), Waterhouse was joined by Cram, Ron Anderson on saxophone, Tim Ayres on bass guitar (ex-Kevin Borich Express), Paul Gatcham on saxophone and Ron "Groper" Trinder on guitar.[2]
In 2010 Waterhouse combined with Driftwood Lounge to issue an album, Blues 'n' Western, via Ray Vonn Records.[5] As of early 2020, Waterhouse, in his seventies, was still performing.[6]