Having moved to the Central Coast of New South Wales back in 1999 from the big smoke of Sydney, due to my girlfriend at the time wanting to open her own Hair Salon, I embarked upon getting myself involved in a rock band. I had been in bands previously in Sydney though gigs mainly consisted of Bikie gigs, small clubs, and charity benefits and it felt more like work than it did fun.
I decided that the best tact to take was in the form of a 'keyboard player looking for band' sign at my now local music store. As I pinned my sign up, I was amongst a collage of metalheads, jazz nuts, blues freaks, all wanting to reach their band Nivana. I was feeling a little lost within the pool of talented muso's, so I went on my merry way and soon forgot all about my little advert not expecting too much of a reply.
Some weeks later, I received a call from a guitarist whose girlfriend had seen the sign, and suddenly realized that what her boyfriend's band needed was keyboards, and lo and behold I was asked to turn at their next rehearsal.
The band ended up being a bunch of cricket mates who, having said that, were great musicians ( I personally am not into Cricket so I subsequently endured many a conversation regarding the current tour, best players, latest controversy etc.)
The Bass player (who was tenderly known as tooly Jeff) had obviously listened to too much new order and the cure (which resulted in a great solid bass technique), whilst the drummer (known as dazzla) was quite technical and tight. The guitarist though seemed a little lost in the 70's and hadn't realized we were on the brink of a new millennium.
Initially, he didn't say much too me, and I felt he sort of didn't approve of having a keyboard player in the band ( where the others seemed quite keen),this apprehension seemed to last only for about an hour as during our first rehearsal break, I pulled out a muso's cigarette. Well that was the end of the guitarist's complacency, his eyes made like light bulbs that had just been applied 240 Volts. Unfortunately the old fella couldn't handle his weed too well, and soon totally lost the plot, and several personal possessions, and was forced to leave the band.
So we ended up being a three piece and an occasional percussionist when he felt the need to join us. I ended up being affectionately known a Bundy Zubrick as they felt I reminded them of the Bundy Rum Bear. hmmm...
The music soon took a sudden turn from the old 70's covers which the ex guitarist had the band play, to originals, which I had started writing and playing to the band. Overall fun was had by all, we became great friends.
We soon recorded our first CD, titled 'The Bistro Witch Project', and then a second entitled 'Dognuts'. This happened over a period of about 3-4 years and many jam's, Guinness's, and Muso cigarettes.
As things happen, on the brink of our third band recording, I fell ill, the drummer found a partner and had a kid, and the Bass player well he was going through tough times financially after a bitter divorce and felt he had to dedicate his life to non musical cash generating activities.
The band still gets together sporadically, periods between getting together are becoming increasingly longer.
I have moved on to other things, joining a Sydney and local corporate band, a local 70's band (ironic I know), and two acoustic duo's.
Enjoy the photo's and the band link below :)
Listen to the Zubricks
