School bands join the line-up

Whiskey Mama is hosting two Whanganui High School bands at Rock on the River on January 6.

It’s new to Caroline’s Boatshed — bands on the back of a truck in the carpark.

“Caroline has been trying to get our band, Whiskey Mama, up there,” says Fred Loveridge, Whiskey Mama lead guitarist.

The band comprises Fred (guitar, vocals), Kerry O’Sullivan (lead vocals), John Steedman (bass, vocals), Kevin de Lacy (keyboard) and Glen Marsh (drums).

“Kerry came up with this idea about making a bit of noise about it . . . then we came up with this second idea of having a couple of the school bands. I’ve been tutoring a couple of these bands [at Whanganui High School]. They did the Rockquest thing earlier in the year and one of the players got the Best Female Musicianship award.”

The bands — In Business and Ferris — have been supporting touring bands at Lucky Bar + Kitchen.

“The more experience they have playing live, the better they’ll be. They seem to want to pursue music and playing live is where it’s going to be at.”

Fred says the school bands have probably a total of 90 minutes’ material and Whiskey Mama will fill the rest.

“That gives them experience playing with a band like us, because when you’re on a bill, you have to work with other bands.”

The event is called Rock on the River and will be at Caroline’s Boatshed in Aramoho on Sunday, January 6.

The bands will play from a truck trailer parked beside the outside seating area of the hotel.

“In Business will be on from 2pm. They were Year 9 kids, so very young, and they’re a good little band. They’ll be doing a combination of their own songs and some covers. I’ve heard them do some Red Hot Chilli Peppers and even some old Beatles tracks and they’ve written some really good songs.”

Ferris will follow In Business. “They’re sort of more Indie Pop and they do totally their own songs. They’ve got 30 to 40 minutes of original material so they’ve done extremely well.”

Admission is free.

By Paul Brooks
Whanganui Midweek 19/12/18