By TANIA PHILLIPS
IT’S probably pretty unusual to call a group of 15-year-olds veterans but when it comes the the AFEX music gigs in Kingscliff, that’s just what the boys from alt/grunge rock band Goodbye Gravity are.
They have played every one of the AFEX gigs – a concert featuring young local rock bands just starting out and searching for places to play.
The events are the brainchild of teenage rocker Jay Varudo and his band AFEX and the next one – the AFEX Spring Sensation is set for 23 November at the Kingscliff community hall from 2pm-8pm with nine acts on the bill this time, including the boys from Goodbye Gravity.
Goodbye Gravity is three 15-year-old musos – all Year 9 students at Kingscliff High. The line-up includes Dan Wayne on bass and vocals, Jack Hodges on lead guitar and vocals and drummer Ellis Lewis.
They started as most bands do – two mates Dan and Jack wanting to put a band together, Ellis was a friend of Jack’s from the school band (Jack had played trumpet since primary school) and the rest, as they say, is history.
That was just over a year ago and since then they have been honing their skills writing their own songs and played about seven gigs.
“We’ve done every single one of the AFEX gigs now,” Dan said..
“It’s just amazing, Jay is giving everyone a chance. We have been looking for gigs but a lot of people won’t take us because we are under 18, so this opportunity is brilliant. It is helping young musicians get a start.”
The boys, who weren’t even born in the heady days of Nirvana at their peak, are developing into a grunge-alt rock band and already have six or seven original songs in their song list.
Also on the list this time are
– Blood Brothers (acoustic/rock) first ever live performance;
– The Virgin Centigrade Repela (alt/punk rock) first ever live performance;
– Tom Marto (acoustic) first ever solo live performance;
– Karma Control (grunge);
– Cadillac Rockers (’50s swing);
– Ben Paulson (rap) has played every seasonal gig;
– Double-lined minority (pop punk) coming down from the Gold Coast; and
– The AFEX (alt/rock) has played every seasonal gig.
Who: AFEX Spring Sensation
Where: Kingscliff Community Centre.
When: 23 November, 2pm-8pm
Interested?: Door entry is $15 but pre-sale tickets still remain at $10 … you can get one (or many) from any of the participating band members and Jazera’s One Stop Party Shop.
