1.Growing Up
My key childhood memory is watching my grandmother play the piano. Her eyes would glaze over and she’d go to a place that I knew even as a young child I wanted to explore.
2. Inspirations
One of my favourite and most influential musicians is Ross Hannaford, who famously played guitar in Daddy Cool. One of the first gigs I ever saw was Daddy Cool at the Myer Music Bowl just prior to them entering the mainstream with their single ‘Eagle Rock’. Ross is a musical magician with his very own personal sound and style. He is always an inspiration to see playing live. I’ve also been fortunate to be his neighbour for the last 15 years and have the opportunity to play with him.
3. Your Band
Models is the band and Sean Kelly, Andrew Duffield and drummer Ash Davies are my compadres in the current formation, which is set to embark on a national tour of Australia this December. Sean, Andrew and I first played together in the late ’70s and we released our first album Alphabravocharlie… on Mushroom Records in 1980. There have since been many lineups and incarnations of the band and we were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010. Ash is a relatively recent addition to the ranks, although I’ve worked with him in other projects (JVG Guitar Method, studio band for the ABC TV series Please Like Me) the last five or so years.
4. The Music You Make
Models have never worked to a musical template and the sound of the band has always been the product of the individuals in the band at any time. Sean has been the constant in the band since its inception so his songwriting style and musical vision has always been a touchstone, but he’s always been generous and allowed input from whoever else is in the band at any time.
5. Music, Right Here, Right Now
Models were active in the so-called ‘golden era’ of Oz rock in the late ’70s and ’80s, which was an exciting time to be playing. I think, however, that the current scene is a lot more professional and there is much more variety in places to play than the pub scene, which was so dominant back in the day.
Models play the Factory Theatre onFriday December 18.
