It all started by busking on the bustling streets of Sydney, Australia.

With Down-Under roots and a post-war New Orleans jazz sound, the Milk Crate Bandits have worked their way up north, eventually settling in to the Vancouver jazz scene. And it鈥檚 a history the Bandits are bringing to Vernon鈥檚 Gallery Vertigo Thursday, Nov. 9.

鈥淧eople asked what our name was, and we used to steal milk crates to sit on and play, so we took on the name Milk Crate Bandits,鈥� said founding-member and Australian product Jack Ray of his and saxophonist Chris O鈥橠ea鈥檚 formative years.

Now nestled in Vancouver鈥檚 vibrant eastern quarters, the Bandits are gearing up for their first ever Canadian tour, falling on the heels of the band鈥檚 debut EP, The Neighbourhood.

鈥淚t all kind of worked out with the timing,鈥� Ray said. 鈥淲e recorded two EPs down in New Orleans 鈥� first The Neighbourhood and the other is just about to come out.鈥�

The View From Out Here, slated to drop Nov. 7, features New Orleans jazz legend Kevin Louis on trumpet and embodies the region鈥檚 iconic 鈥�20s jazz vibe.

鈥淚t鈥檚 period-based,鈥� Ray said, adding that the Bandits play hits from era-legends in their live sets. 鈥淲e also wrote a lot of original music in that style.鈥�

Drawing inspiration from jazz standards such as Basin Street Blues 鈥� Spencer William鈥檚 1928 hit recorded by Louis Armstrong that tells of the main street of turn-of-the-century New Orleans鈥� red light district 鈥� Ray and O鈥檇ea took it upon themselves to compose a jazz track about their Sydney stomping grounds.

鈥淥耻谤 King of King Street song is in the vein of a lot of the old jazz guys who wrote about the streets they lived on,鈥� Ray said, adding that their repertoire has grown to include ditties about their new home in East Vancouver.

It鈥檚 a classic sound the Bandits are thrilled to share with Vernon audiences.

鈥淭his is our first time in Vernon,鈥� Ray said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited 鈥� we鈥檝e heard good things. The Gallery Vertigo has been very supportive as well.鈥�

The Bandit鈥檚 touring lineup features Australian circus and jazz show Scotch and Soda member O鈥橠ea, Canadian trombonist Brad Shigeta of The Ellington Band and The Illinois Jacquet Band fame, Island-born bassist Jen Hodge and Ray 鈥� lauded as the future of jazz banjo by Woody Allen鈥檚 banjoist Eddy Davis.

鈥淭he band is really something I鈥檓 proud of,鈥� Ray said, adding that the group has been together for about two years. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really an honour to be playing with Brad and Jen.鈥�

With their critically-acclaimed lineup, the Bandits boast a deep-rooted sound that still shakes the stage today.

鈥淚t鈥檚 fun. It鈥檚 joyous. It鈥檚 high-energy,鈥� Ray said of the Milk Crate Bandit鈥檚 live performance. 鈥淚t鈥檚 mostly acoustic and it resonates a lot with those young and old.鈥�

And for the Aussie who began jamming on the guitar at four-years-old, that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 all about.

鈥淲hat I鈥檝e always loved about music is giving back what music has given to me,鈥� Ray said. 鈥淚t really feels like I鈥檓 reciprocating that love that music gave me.鈥�

The Milk Crate Bandits are reigniting 鈥�20s New Orleans jazz at Gallery Vertigo Nov. 9. Doors open at 7 p.m. Music is at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $15 pre-sale at The Bean Scene Coffee House and A&E Consignments, or for $20 at the door. The Bandits play The Forum in 琉璃神社 Nov. 11. For more information and tickets to the 琉璃神社 show, visit .