By NICOLE VALICEK
HAVING taught thousands of students to play their first notes, Brendan Hains has decided to return to live music.
At the start of last year the Caroline Springs School of Music owner and director was asked to join a band with Robin Lumley and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play alongside his idol.
Mr Hains, whose own career included the release of a solo album in 2006, said it was a thrill to be invited to play alongside his idol and get back into live music after a 10-year hiatus.
“It was a big thrill for me, growing up as a teenager (Phil Collins) was in my favourite band called Brand X in the ’70s,” Mr Hains said.
The four piece band will also have special guest appearances by music icon Phil Collins when he’s in Australia.
“It’s great Robin is coming out to impart his knowledge and experience to the younger members of the school.”
Mr Collins, who has played alongside music greats including David Bowie and Eric Clapton, will also perform in front of 500 students at the music school.
Mr Hains has been playing the guitar for 38 years and was inspired by infamous musicians, including Elvis Presley and American musician George Benson.
“In my teenage years right up to 25 I practised 10 hours a day.”
He hopes to perform at clubs and bars with his new jazz/rock band, dubbed Absolute Zero, during the first half of this year.
“It’s exciting playing the challenging material and its forcing me to do a lot of practice again and reinvigorated my passion for practising.”
