Helensburgh NSW 2508
Rai Thistle Trio - Bombie Bar, Coalcliff SLSC
Last updated 7 July 2026
The Rai Thistle Trio played the Bombie Bar at Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club on Sunday, 17 February 2013 — an intimate northern Illawarra set from Rai Thistlethwayte and two fellow musicians, filmed by club captain Robert Deacon.
Thistlethwayte was already well known as frontman of Thirsty Merc (In the Summertime, 20 Good Reasons, Someday, Someday). In 2013 he was also building his solo career as Sun Rai, releasing the Pocket Music EP later that year. This surf-club gig captures that crossover moment — pop songwriter, jazz-trained pianist, acoustic trio, escarpment views.
Quick facts
The trio
Rai Thistlethwayte (born 1980) is a Sydney-born singer-songwriter, pianist, and guitarist. After jazz training at the Sydney Conservatorium, he found national success with Thirsty Merc from 2003. He also performs solo as Sun Rai and has worked across rock, pop, and jazz — including session work for The Voice and tours with international acts.
Matt Smith (guitar) had previously toured with Thistlethwayte’s solo shows, including an east-coast run in 2009. Lisa Permodh (drums/percussion) is a Fijian-Australian drummer who has performed internationally and taught at music institutions — bringing rhythmic drive to the stripped-back trio format.
The Bombie Bar, Coalcliff SLSC
The Bombie Bar ran on the top deck of Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club at the end of Bombora Way, overlooking the coast between Sea Cliff Bridge and Stanwell Park. Run as the club’s main fundraising activity, it was devoted to live music — no Keno, no pokies, no big-screen sport — and gave emerging and established acts a stage with escarpment views.
Regular gigs at the surf club ended in 2016 after noise complaints and planning consent issues. The Bombie Bar has since continued as occasional pop-up events at venues across the northern Illawarra.
Another Bombie Bar recording on Helensburgh.com.au: Greedy Smith — June 2013.
Live performance — 17 February 2013
Rai Thistle Trio at the Bombie Bar, Coalcliff SLSC. Video: Robert Deacon
Related pages
Sources: Robert Deacon (YouTube), Wikipedia — Rai Thistlethwayte, Illawarra Mercury (Bombie Bar history), Coalcliff SLSC.