Jerry Tee was surrounded by music from birth, his father Dimitris Tsitas, was the singer in the band ‘Akropolis Live’. The band performed extensively in Adelaide at weddings, panigiria, and festivals, and Jerry loved going to watch them play, always focusing on their drummer . As a young boy, Jerry Tee would practice every day, for hours, straight after school, listening to old cassette recordings of famous Greek singers. By the time he was 13, his father decided that Jerry was ready to join his...
Sep 24, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Alex Flood joins me in The Engine Room to discuss his musical journey which began when he was in primary school, when he began to have lessons with Jim McCarthy. His next teacher was Joel Prime, who broadened his musical influences, and introduced him to actively listening to music, and adding percussive instruments to his playing. Alex has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including ‘Australia's Best Up And Coming Drummer’ in 2012 in the intermediate category, and the Open category ...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 46
CRAIG LAURITSEN is this weeks 'Engine Room' Guest. A few of Craig's performance highlights include: Brian Ferry support at the Adelaide Festival Theatre in 1988. Supporting artist for Kate Ceberano and Wilbur Wilde at the Club Foote in 1989, 3 months, 70 plus performances in New Delhi, India in 1994, 10 months, 80 plus performances with various Blues and Jazz bands in USA in 1994 -1995, the inaugural Singapore Blues Festival in 1996, and performing the soundtrack to 'The Tracker' (film by intern...
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 45
S2 E44 Matt Jonsson aka Trolla Bolla Snatcha Razoo, CLOWNS OF DECADENCEjoins host Di Spillane to discuss his musical journey and artistic heritage on the BAND IT ABOUT Podcast Series. Born in Sweden, Matt emigrated to Australia with his family in 1972. Matt spent 10 years as the drummer in the popular Punk/Rock Adelaide Band the CLOWNS OF DECADENCE , and was for the most part responsible for all the amazing artwork that the band used both in the elaborate stage props as well as on album covers a...
Sep 03, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Drummer/Percussionist/Music Educator James (Jim) Bailey joins me in The Engine Room to discuss his fabulous musical journey both in Australia and overseas. Jim first became interested in music while living in England, he wanted to play the clarinet, but the school didn't have any available, so he was given a piccolo to take home to try. He didn't have much luck with this instrument, so he returned it to the school and then went back to playing sports which he was very good at. It wasn't until af...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 43
JOHN APPLEBY joins me in The Engine Room this week to discuss his musical journey. John is a self taught drummer who has mainly played with original bands here in Adelaide during his 54 year playing career. John joined his first band WOLFBAIN in 1968, in 1972 he joined BRONZE ELK who later became NEON WATERMELON which was the first Australian band to wear makeup. NEON WATERMELON supported SKYHOOKS at the Pooraka Hotel the first time that they came to Adelaide, Graeme "Shirley" Strachan, who was ...
Aug 20, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 42
ROBERT (ROB) BOUNDY studied at the Adelaide College of Music in 1968 under the direction of John Arthur, with section leaders Steve and Larry Todd, in marching band and beginning drum set lessons. In 1970 he joined the Adelaide Highland Pipe Band under the tutelage of Lindsay Chuck and Daryl James until 1974. In 1979 he began rehearsing with past music students from Mawson High School, recording a demo with The Glenn Kristoffer Band, while also working for MGD Audio assisting with sound and ligh...
Aug 13, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 41
RICK KENT joins me in The Engine Room to discuss his musical journey which began in Adelaide during the 60s Rock 'N' Roll days with The Firebirds who became The Vibrants. The Vibrants moved to Melbourne in 1966, and had several charting hits, "Something About You, Baby", "My Prayer", "Don't Let Your Left Hand Know", and "How Sweet It Is". After leaving the band Rick went on to run his own music schools in Perth, The Perth Jingle Workshop. He then lived in England for two years, and joined popula...
Aug 06, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 40
James Judd has played in many Adelaide bands including: Broken Brick, Ralph Richard Quintet, Gini & The Groove, The Toe Jammers, Sons Of MOD, and The Fleurieu Bluesbreakers. James took a break from music and spent 15 years of that time as a Fully Sponsored Motorcycle Rider, winning around 100 races. He competed mainly in Endurance Races and was a Factory Rider for Honda Australia, competing in Unlimited Championship, Bathurst, and the first Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in 1989, held at P...
Jul 30, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 39
The Engine Room Guest: Laurie Kennedy, has been mentioned in many of my previous interviews due to him having been an in-demand drum teacher and player in South Australia for 40 years. His playing career began in NSW when families gathered together and listened to music shows, drama serials, light entertainment and quiz programs on the radio, Rock 'n' roll was popular in dance halls, and Jazz and Coffee Lounges were The Scene! He has worked with the 'who's who' of the entertainment industry, wor...
Jul 23, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Steve Todd became a professional musician when he was 19, and has worked in the industry ever since. Born in to a family of entertainers Steve's profession was predestined, his father John Todd was a drummer, his mother a founding member of the 'Ethelton Entertainers' theatre group, and his grandfather a vaudevillian, it was a given that both he and his brother Larry would work in the industry. Steve was taught by Reg Bassett who not only taught him how to play, he taught him how to secure ongoi...
Jul 16, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 37
THE 'MURRAY DELTA JUKE JOINT', (formerly 'The Wreckers'), has undergone an amazing transformation since David Lloyd and Greg Button decided to take on the Live Music Venue in 2020. When I interviewed David for The Engine Room (S2E8), he talked a bit about the venue and I wanted to see what it was like, as my band had played at there in 2019. I decided to check it out on the same weekend that "The Fallen Saints" were playing there, I attended the gig on the Saturday night (footage available from ...
Jul 09, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Moni Lashes (Monica Majcen) , mother of 2 and matriarch of the Adelaide, South Australian Rock n Roll band " The Babes " joins me in The Engine Room this week to discuss her musical journey. The Babes who formed in 2011, are: Moni Lashes on drums, her sister Donna D on lead guitar, their brother Corey Stone on bass, and a brother-from-another-mother, JD on lead vocals. Moni has a unique addition to her Pearl Drum Kit drum kit which is partially a Harley Davidson! They have toured extensively thr...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Jazz drummer BEN RILEY joins me in The Engine Room this week to discuss his drumming journey. When in High School Ben was taught by Ray Haughn, who introduced him to the Ted Reed book 'Syncopation For The Modern Drummer', he began having private lessons when he was in year 10 with Laurie Kennedy, and had his first paid gig while in school filling in for Ray Haughn in the band 'Polished Brass'. Ben continued his studies at the Adelaide University under the guidance of lecturer Laurie Kennedy. He ...
Jun 25, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 34
For the past 25 years Mick Rajan has been the drummer for a number of well-known bands in South Australia including ' Just Strait', 'David Blight and The Flyers', 'Rob Riley Band', 'The Jukebox Kings', 'Back In Black - A tribute to AC/DC , and has recently switched from being behind the sound desk to sitting behind the kit for ' ELEVEN .' David Blight and The Flyers have recently reformed and will be performing at the Semaphore Workers Club on the 27th of June. Tickets are available through tryb...
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 33
S2 E32 The Engine Room Drummer Andrew Griffiths , Andy started learning drums December 1973, and has over 40 years experience in performing, recording and songwriting throughout Australia, having spent 7 years in Sydney and Melbourne as part of his Professional playing career. His first Adelaide band was the very first Punk/New Wave band in Adelaide " Black Chrome" , Simon Stretton - vocals, guitar, Simon Dillon - bass, Andrew Griffiths - drums, Black Chrome played their first gig under the name...
Jun 11, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Preview of S2 E32 Andrew Griffiths , author of " Progressive Rock Drumming ", Business Owner/ Manager ' Frets & Sticks Music co ' Andy joins me in The Engine Room this week to chat about his career. This is a preview of one of Andy's many stories that he tells during his interview. This is part of his memorable gig stories, when he explains how the Adelaide band " The Dagoes " broke up during their gig at " The Tivoli Hotel. " The Full Episode will be available to listen to on Saturday 12th ...
Jun 10, 2021•1 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Update 1 : When I first interviewed Joe Turtur it was just before he was to go into hospital to have part of his colon removed. Joe had T3 Colon Cancer, and was not given a guarantee that he would wake up from the surgery. Thankfully Joe did wake up, he spent 17 days in hospital, and has been living with a Ileostomy Bag while his colon recovers from the surgery. Joe is looking forward to having the bag removed on June 24th, he has had 2 pathology reports back advising that he no longer has cance...
Jun 04, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Sue Filmer joins me this week in The Engine Room to discuss her musical journey which began with Sue being a trained dancer. Sue was born in New South Wales and moved to Adelaide when she was 20 to attend the only Contemporary Dance Course on offer in Australia at the time, which was at Flinders University. Sue worked in various jobs while studying and at one stage was employed to dance at events in Adelaide, prior to joining her first band 'Click Clack' as a percussionist. Sue has always loved ...
May 28, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Sue Filmer joins me this week in The Engine Room to discuss her musical journey which began with Sue being a trained dancer. This is a preview of Sue sharing a story from when she used to be employed to dance at events in Adelaide, prior to joining her first band as a percussionist. The full episode will be available on Saturday May 29th at 9am (Adelaide, South Australia.) Sue has always loved music, right from her earliest memories of going to see her father who was a professional musician in N...
May 27, 2021•48 sec•Season 2Ep. 30
S2 E29 PAUL JIMMY SHARMAN Part 2. Paul miraculously manages to mention all of the following people: his wife Tracey, Bette Midler, Steve and Ben Todd, Steve Prestwich, Satisfaction band members plus Nigel Bourne, Louise Pearson, Peter Kershaw, Tonkin Family, Mark Meyer, Mario Marino, Bobby Keys, Rolling Stones, Royal Crown Revue, Jeff Algra, ABC's Snowflake podcast, Daniel Glass, Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, a shout-out to Enrico Morena, and I get to ask the occasional question! We also have a gr...
May 21, 2021•54 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Paul Sharman had a happy childhood despite growing up poor, living on an old farm, situated on largely arid land. Since joining his first band in High School, Paul has been involved in the South Australian music scene ever since. Drumming in a variety of bands, managing, and promoting his, as well as other bands. Paul is one of the few remaining original members of the highly successful and longest running 'Rolling Stones' tributes in Australia, 'SATISFACTION - THE STONES SHOW' and he doesn't lo...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Ken Chenery moved to Adelaide with his parents when he was 10. In 1969, Ken began playing with popular local bands, during a period when the live music scene was vibrant in South Australia. The musical talent were kept busy, performing, creating, and entertaining the audiences that would regularly attend one of the many live music venues, some of which hosted live music events every night of the week. It is remarkable to reflect back to the days when there were so many gigs on at so many venues,...
May 07, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 26
I interviewed Darren Lee 5 days before the very sad passing of the "Bay City Rollers" lead singer Les McKeown. After learning of this I contacted Darren to see if he still wanted his interview to be released, given the fact that he obviously talks about being the "Bay City Rollers" drummer. Darren appreciated being given the choice and decided to still go ahead with it knowing that Les would have wanted him to. Les was the sort of person who enjoyed promoting his fellow band members and would wa...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 25
During the interview I ask Darren what it's like Touring with Les McKeown's "BAY CITY ROLLERS" , this is part of his response. The full interview will be available to listen to tomorrow morning, Saturday May 1st from 9am (Adelaide, South Australian time.) I recorded this interview on April 15, Darren absolutely Loved being in the "BAY CITY ROLLERS" , and sadly with the recent passing of Les McKeown on the 20th of April, this has now come to an end. Darren has provided music from the last "Bay Ci...
Apr 30, 2021•57 sec•Season 2Ep. 25
This interview is a must for Live Music Venue owners and musicians who are interested in finding out more about their own return to live music events and concerts once their countries current social distancing measures are relaxed. It will give many a realistic insight into just how long it will be before you can expect to get back to any sort of normal and what that new normal will look like. At the start of the pandemic we hoped it would be a lot sooner than the reality. On the 26th of April, ...
Apr 25, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 24
We are rewinding the Engine Room back to Episodes 6 to 10 to replay the last segment of the show 20 questions in 2 minutes. First up is E6 the Funny Funky Monks Australian Red Hot Chilli Peppers Drummer, Nick Romano who speaks that fast at times that I misheard one of his answers thinking that he had told me that he was his favorite RHCP drummer, it eventually clicked that he had said Chad Smith! Next up is E7 (part1) Mark Meyer, who ends up correcting me after I messed up asking one of his ques...
Apr 23, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 23
It is amazing how much you can find out about a person when you ask them 20 quick, random questions. Have you ever wondered why I end the show by playing 20 questions? Are you now thinking, 20 questions, I didn’t know that you even did that? Well this is the episode that will give you the answers. Today I rewind to the start of the second series, to hear Dieter (Audio Reign), Mardi Hogan (Instagram's Mother Drummer), Enrico Mick Morena (AMC SA Music Hall of Fame/Kate Ceberano/Master of Musical P...
Apr 16, 2021•17 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Travis Dragani is the Band It About - podcast series 'Engine Room' guest this week. Travis has always known what he wanted to do for a career, he was given his first kit when he was 3 years old and has continued to play drums ever since. His career started in Adelaide where he played with many bands, prior to making the decision to move to Melbourne and improve his professional career opportunities. Maeder were a big band at the time, and it was with Maeder that he had his first taste of Touring...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Travis Dragani joins Band It About podcast series host Di Spillane, in The Engine Room this weekend. Don't miss hearing Travis share his journey to becoming one of the busiest drummers on the Australian music scene. He has performed all over Australia, Europe, USA, Indonesia & UAE. Travis has played drums for and toured with the following bands and artists. The Superjesus 2019 - National Australian Tour in support of the new single, The Impossible. Toured Brazil performing in Sao Paulo &...
Apr 08, 2021•1 min•Season 2Ep. 21
