I’ll get by with a little help from my friends

May, where did you go? How is the year almost half over? It seems like just yesterday I was standing in a mosh put with some of my closest friends dancing with Bruce (yes, that happened. Thanks Perth) or watching the look on my mum’s face as he kissed her in the cheek (thanks Melbourne). Now it’s nearly June. I’ve barely touched anything musical since I got back and I have to say Jan and Feb are still looking like my two favourite months of the year.

I spent the weekend catching up with my Bruce buds, some of whom flew in from Perth for the occasion. It was great. I don know any other musician who brings people together to the same extent. We sat at a table, ate some very impressive Thai food and talked about what we’d all been up to. I can’t wait for the next one (even if just for the Thai food)

It reminded me that I need to pull my finger out, musically speaking. It also reminded me that I miss my friends. I should visit them some time. For now though, it’s work, gym, sleep, repeat.

Enjoy

Fifteen minutes more.

I finally found spare time this morning- fifteen glorious minutes in fact. Do you know what I did? I played bass. It feels so good to just have 15 minutes for stuff like that. I’ve missed it. I don’t think I’ve touched an instrument in far too long. It felt so good. It’s inspired me to try and re-arrange my time so that I have more time for music. I’ve been listening a lot, but it feels good to play, too.

For now I’m outta here, gotta try and organize my time better. Byeeeee.

My first hero

This may come as a surprise, but my heroes weren’t musicians growing up. Paul Hester was the exception to the rule (isn’t he always?) but most of my heroes when I was in primary school were sports people, the first of which was Ange Christou. This is where it gets a bit confusing.

I’m a St Kilda supporter (for those of you that follow AFL will know exactly what that means, for those that don’t, the words “always the bridesmaid” seem to come to mind. The last time St Kilda won the premiership, my mum was 6. We once lost three grand finals in a year – two in 8 days. That hurt) Ange played for Carlton. They don’t hate each other but they’re kind of opposites in every way. Carlton have a long, proud history is success and St Kilda? Well, see above. So, how come my very first sporting hero belonged to another team? A few reasons.

Firstly, as a footballer, he was just that good. He played a game on Sunday and kicked the ball half way across the field. Every time he got the ball you knew it would go exactly where it needed to. Ange didn’t make mistakes. I’m pretty sure he still doesn’t.

Also, he was always a gentleman. Still is. On Sunday he was taking photos with people and signing autographs between play. We were all standing in the rain together. You’d never hear about Ange being an idiot in the press. There was no news of him saying impolite things to women in bars (Wayne Carey I’m looking at you) and although he’d get involved in things like The Footy Show. He never seemed to forget what his first job was.

I first came across Ange at a football clinic when I was 8. This was before the days of mobile phones and slutty 16 year old girl scandals. From then on, I was in. The next year my slight interest in football had turned to something bordering on obsession. Carlton had won the Grand Final, Ange was a champion. Life was good.

I went to the football nearly every week, knew all the players names, played as often as I could and put every bit of my childhood energy to good use, chasing a bit of leather around a football field. Sport taught me determination and discipline and have me more than a few injuries.

After a few years of playing I have a back no one can touch without me wanting to rip their arms off and knees that are two different shapes. Was it worth it? Yep.

These days I apply that same discipline to my playing, to the time I spend in the gym and to other aspects of life. Of course, the great game has changed since I was running around. Now I’d prefer to see something like the Legends match I watched on Sunday. Ange was also the first person I knew who was a fan of U2. Is it any wonder I thought he was great?

Top five albums that have influenced my tiny brain most.

After trashing some songs, I thought it might be good to do something positive. Here it is. Five albums that have changed me as a person.

 

Bob Marley – Legend. From the first time I heard Three Little Birds I was hooked. It’s one of the most beautifully optimistic songs I’ve ever heard. I sang Bob to my nephews when they were crying. I in fact have three birds tattooed on my body because I love the song so much. I’ve had bob as my message tone ever since I can remember. Bob was my introduction to Reggae and man, what an introduction. One of my friends bought me the Legend LP for Christmas one year. I laid down with a cup of tea, put on the headphones and fell asleep listening to bob. It was a good Christmas. Everyone should have that.

 

Bruce Springsteen -Born To Run, Born In The USA, Darkness On The Edge Of Town

I got my drumming chops listening to these albums and trying to play along with those albums. Any co ordination I have comes from those three albums and if ever I have any doubts that being a musician is what I want to do, those three albums remind me that I should just lock myself in my music room and keep going.

 

The Beatles – Abbey Road.

By no means can I pick a favourite Beatles song or album, but Abbey Road is perhaps the most nostalgic. My dad couldn’t teach me much when it came to helping me with my school work, but he definitely taught me a lot when it comes to my music collection and one of the most important lessons was an introduction to The Beatles. They don’t really need introducing. I’m discovering whilst doing this list that I’m a little bit of a music snob (not much, but I have some standards) and I’m sorry, but if you can’t name all the Beatles it’s a bit of a deal breaker. My oldest nephew can and he’s three. He also owns a copy of Abbey Road and with songs like Here Comes The Sun, Something and Come Together I’m pretty sure this album speaks for itself. If you are reading this and don’t like Abbey Road, I’m judging you right now.

 

U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

It may surprise you that I picked this U2 album, but for me, this is the one that changed everything. This is when I stood up and took notice. For a long time, I didn’t like U2. They annoyed me but by this album, I just couldn’t resist them (yes, at this stage it was still all about the music.) I remember when I first bought this album, I got it a day early, I came home and just listened. It was great. It was the start of a love affair with music and of bass. It was the album that U2 rediscovered their rock roots – and we all went along for the ride with them.

 

Richard Berry- Baby Please Come Home.

 

I don’t remember much of my 21^st, . I remember dancing all night, I remember making a speech that could have ended very interestingly and I remember getting this album. To be honest, I only remember about ten people being there. I know there was around 100, but I probably only remember 10 of you – sorry guys. Now some people are saying “Richard Berry? Who’s that?“ and so far I’ve discovered three people in Melbourne who actually know who he is. Me being one of them. This album was it for me and it was actually, the best 21^st present ever. I started to escape into blues and old school RnB when I was about 16 but this album really helped me join the dots – from Richard Berry to Lightnin’ Hopkins to Lightnin’ Slim and so far beyond. It was a beautiful trail that I could trace right through to REM. It took me to some interesting places and who could ask for anything more?