There's no real way of saying this without sounding like a complete nob. So here goes, I'm in a band. It wasn't something I was planning on doing, hell, if you had suggested it to me six months ago I would have laughed in your face.

It went like this, I was mucking around with a friend who couldn't remember the tune of a song. I sang it for him and we laughed and then he asked me if I wanted to join his band and then I REALLY laughed and told him to piss off and other similar endearing comments. He persisted and I found myself saying yes to a rehearsal. And then I got VERY nervous, which I do a bit. I had little sings in the shower and in the car and the garden when no one was around except a weirded out whippet. The good thing was that this friend of mine has similar taste in music to me so I liked some of the tracks he asked me to practice and could sing them with my heart in the song.

Then I went to the first rehearsal and downed three glasses of wine very bloody quickly while we sat outside on the verhandah (did I mention we rehearse in a yurt, FFS!, how herbal can you get) shooting the breeze. After that I was away with the fairies and could have sung in front of a hardcore crowd of hecklers without blinking an eyelash.

That first night we played for four hours solid, playing around with tracks that worked and tracks that dive-bombed. And people, it was amazing. I don't mean we (or I) was amazing, it was just the feeling of being completely and totally in to what I was doing, no thinking about crap from the day or other stuff. 100 per cent focus, undivided attention and lotsa energy and emotion. It is as much about the other people in the band and the vibe as it is about the music, they are laid back, hilarious, no bullshit. When we have a break for a drink and a fag there is sometimes this companionable silence, sometimes we argue about music, sometimes someone will put an album on and there is a reverential silence.

We've got a playlist coming together and we are in need of a drummer before we start gigging but we are going to fricking DO IT. Not for anyone else but for ourselves. Because it feels right.

PS Did I mention that we need a drummer? Please apply within. xxxx

Comments

[Redhedj]

You go girl! Can't help with the drummer although I do have a 7 year old lad who might be able to help in 10 years time. Let us know when you get a gig, would love to come along x

[Karin]

I have a drum kit....but don't know how to drum

[liza]

Very Cool. Hope you're brave enough one day to post a video.

[Tania]

I've got a great nobby grin on my face. Partly to do with visualising the Weirded-Out Whippet but mostly to do with the fact that you're just FRICKIN' DOIN' IT!!!

(I don't three-time exclamation mark lightly, you know).

[katiecrackernuts]

Hot dang. Sounds like a hoot. I have another friend who ended up in a duo in a very similar way - not singing but playing the blues harp, and she rocks it.
I'll be heading your way middle of the month, granted for a Girl Guide gig, but if you've got a spot, let me know and I'll come be cheer squad.

[Melissa G]

Good on you, I say. Being in a band can be hard work, but it is a good kind of 'busy'.

[Maggie]

You'll be the perfect frontgirl! Have fun :)

[Cami]

I love this blog post. You've really captured a specific and special feeling.

[melissa]

woohoo- go for it. i always imagined you as a bit of a rockchick. and you are! i play a few instruments, but not the drums, otherwise i would be very keen to join too. oh and i don't live in australia. sigh.

[Hyena In Petticoats]

AWESOME!

I'm in the same boat as you - having never played a musical instrument before, I have now found myself inexplicably in TWO bands! Ha! Apparently I am a ukulele player now - hilarious.

Please record one of your gigs so I can see - even if you have to email it to me on the sly - I prmise I won't tell anyone!

Good luck - and you rock the pants off those punters - I bet you will. xxxxx