Profiles

Pete Daley – Drums & Vocals DOB: 18/12/55 Where: Rockhampton QLD Instruments: Ludwig, Pearl & Premier drums with Paiste 2002 cymbals

In his own words:
My dad Walter and brother Mervyn were both drummers in the big band 40s and 50s, so I think the mould was cast way back then. I also have two talented sons Matt and Luke who play professionally. . . drums, guitar and vocals. So with in three generations there are five Daley drummers. Can you see a pattern forming?

I started at about 10 playing old time dance hall gigs sitting on my dad’s lap as I couldn’t reach the pedals. This music was not my cup of tea so at 13 in high school I formed my first rock band, "The Barons" (average age 13). We won CQ Hoadley's battle of the sounds in 1971. First time on a plane they flew us to Brisbane for the finals and that’s where it started.

40 odd years later I’ve been lucky enough through bands to meet and work with. . . Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, Blondie, ACDC, the Angels to name a few.

My biggest influences will always be John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Ian Paice (Deep Purple) and Stewart Copland (The Police).

I consider myself very fortunate to have this life style as a muso and teacher and to be able to pass on my experiences of live playing to my students. In today's world of drum machines and computer backing tracks, I'm doing my damndest to prevent drummers becoming extinct.

Keep It Real & Keep It Live

Grahame Howells aka  Wayno - Bass & Vocals DOB: In the sixties, man Where: North Wales, UK Instruments:Warwick Streamer Stage 2  5-String Bass With Bartolini Custom Soapbar Pickups And Mec Onboard Preamp, Gallien- Krueger  1001 Bass Head, Ev 4x10 Quad Box , Ev Tl15  Single 15 Cab

In his own words:
I started playing bass after an untimely injury ruined an otherwise promising career as a professional soccer player . .

I was fed on a  musical diet of 60’s and 70’s supergroups like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Bad Company, Cream, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and nurtured thru the 80’s playing in pub bands, doing the hard yards and “keepin it real”. Most of this decade was spent travelling Australia in touring bands when the music scene provided a great way for a muso to see the country.

The late 80’s then saw a change of direction, working for Australian Airlines in island showbands, where on any given night the repertoire could consist of anything from the Eagles, Bowie, James Brown and Stevie Wonder.

After a well-earned break from touring, North Queensland provided a change in style, and a new-found appreciation of where it all started - the blues. The wealth of talent and opportunities to gig with other like minded musicians provided the stimulus to expand and embrace many styles, but always with the emphasis on groove, and passion.

My influences included Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Robben Ford, Eric Clapton and countless others.

In the early 90’s I had an opportunity to move on from the rapidly increasing capitalism of Cairns, to a more laid back and diverse musical environment in Central Queensland. Again, new opportunities presented themselves, in the form of session work, club and pub gigs, and corporate functions.

From that day until the present, it can be said that much has been accomplished here, but then again, there’s so much more to do, as long as it’s all about the groove . . .

Georgie Schutze - Guitar & Vocals DOB: Ages ago Where: Rockhampton QLD Instruments: Eric Clapton Fender Strat, Double Cut Les Paul (p90s), Dan Electro U2 Guitar, 2 x Fender twin amps

In his own words:
I live in Yeppoon QLD, my family was musically inclined and my dad was a gifted violin player. My grannie’s folks hailed from Liverpool England, so I guess it’s not a surprise a few Beatles songs are still in my repertoire. My first musical efforts were a band of high school friends “The Stormbeats”. Then came more serious attempts to copy guitar heroes of my youth (Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, George Harrison). Some of the bands I played with over the years are the Cast, Sweet Peach, Country Pie and too many others to mention.

Over the years through music I’ve had the opportunity to meet or work with George Harrison, Stevie Wright, Eric Burden, Cliff Richards and Tom and Phil Emmanuel. I joined the Thunderbirds in 1995 til 2002 then left to explore a solo career.

After seven years of playing solo I’m pleased to be back in the band, working with Grahame and Peter (live drums and bass) and I missed the camaraderie. I’m looking to the future to make great music and to become better folks on the journey.  

Guitarists ...
Mick Gordan (2002-2003)
James Woodward (2003-2004)
Luke Daley (2004-2008)