singer songwriter and guitarist jim mcclelland, his brother graham mcclelland (harmonica) and sandra mcclelland (bass guitarist and wife of jim) were born and bred in western australia's remote wheat belt, which has had a strong influence on their music, especially songs such as "don't wanna die here" and "people talk". having lived in the city of perth for some 14 years and meeting band members, malaysian born arun satgunasingam (drummer and percussionist) and percussionist sri lankan born kanchana karunaratna, the band has been exposed to new influences which leads to what blue shaddy are today.