Get ready to dig into a fresh serving of rock with a side of nostalgia as ReeToxA, the brainchild of Melbourne’s Jason McKee, dropped ‘Bobbie‘ as part of his debut album Pines Salad, on the 31st March, 2025. The music video for Bobbie, is a heartfelt tribute to the artist’s late mother, which captures a raw and introspective journey filmed on an overcast day at Albert Park’s Kerferd Rd Pier. Directed by Josh Rockman of Rockman Media, the video portrays the artist grappling with grief and regret, seeking a sign from his mum while reflecting on his time in prison, where he mourned her loss without a proper goodbye. Despite a tight budget, Rockman’s professionalism shone through, seamlessly weaving in nostalgic 1980s home video footage of the artist’s mother to deepen the emotional impact. A standout moment came when, after struggling to capture a bird in flight, a symbolic nod to freedom and connection, one unexpectedly soared from the water at the last second, adding a poignant touch. With over 10,000 likes on TikTok and Instagram, the video’s stark imagery and sincerity amplify the single’s themes, serving as a powerful cornerstone for the artist’s hopes of securing management, forming a live band, and building toward a larger project.
Hailing from Naarm/Melbourne, the music capital of Australia, McKee has been crafting songs since he was a 15-year-old kid in 1995, inspired by the raw energy of Kurt Cobain and the pop prowess of Taylor Swift. After years of honing his craft, including a surreal moment when he played a demo for Jeff Buckley in the ‘90s, McKee’s finally stepping into the spotlight. Bobbie is the result, a labor of love produced by renowned Australian heavyweight Simon Moro and featuring some of the country’s finest players: Kit Riley (Michael Bublé, Savage Garden) on bass, James Ryan (King Canyon) on guitar, and Peter Marin (Jet) on drums.
The album’s title, Pines Salad, is a cheeky nod to Frankston slang for a bag of weed, setting the tone for McKee’s clever, unfiltered lyricism. Lead single Bobbie cuts deep, born from the pain of losing his mother while he was locked up for six months. Across the record, most tracks wrestle with his self-described “confusion with women,” delivered with a raw honesty that’s both relatable and disarming. His favorite lyric is from the track Amber, “I feel like a donkey in a thoroughbred show,” a line that captures his outsider charm in a world of polished perfection.
The journey kicks off with a music video for Bobbie, offering a visual glimpse into the emotional core of Pines Salad. This is rock with roots, heart, and a little bit of mischief, ReeToxA’s ready to shake up the scene, one cleverly twisted lyric at a time. Mark your calendars for March 31st, 2025, and prepare to toss this Pines Salad into your playlist.
Influences
Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Pixies, White Stripes, Elliott Smith
