What’s your name then? Oh. And the name of your band…
“Hi I’m Mikey, the band’s name is Ancient Man.”
And what do you do?
“I play guitar and sing a bit.”
When did you start doing that?
“Started playing guitar and singing ages ago. Been doing it with Ancient Man for about ten years.”
Why did you start doing that?
“I was one of those kids who have wanted to be in a band ever since understanding the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’”
Do you think you’re good at doing that?
“Good question. Yes, I think I’m good at it. I wouldn’t do it if I thought I was really bad at it, or even ordinary. I’d hope that people in other professions are similarly minded. After all, I wouldn’t want the brakes in my car fixed by a bloke who had no interest in being good at it, or have heart surgery performed by a surgeon who didn’t reckon he was much chop.”
If you weren’t doing that, what would you be doing?
“You do realise, that the band, collectively make about $200 a gig on average? Perhaps the question should have been, ‘What did you do when you realised that not everyone who sets out to be a rock star gets to be one? What did you do when you realised you had better get a real job?’ The answer would have been, ‘I’m a teacher, the drummer is a builder and the bass guitarist is a gardener.’”
What makes you happiest about what you’re doing?
“We always have a good laugh at rehearsal. After a hard day at work, it’s good therapy to play music with close friends. Playing a good live show is the reward for our dedication to practice and recording is a good way to rid ourselves of any disposable income and another way to celebrate our hard work.”
And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing?
“The drive home from Melbourne to our homes on the Mornington Peninsula on a Thursday morning at 2am after playing to the members of two other bands because the promoter promised that that’s how you get a Saturday night show.”
What’s you proudest moment of doing what you do?
“Playing live or getting stoked on a new song we’ve nailed.”
And your least proud?
“Any time we don’t play well live.”
What’s your name then? Oh. And the name of your band…
“Hi I’m Mikey, the band’s name is Ancient Man.”
And what do you do?
“I play guitar and sing a bit.”
When did you start doing that?
“Started playing guitar and singing ages ago. Been doing it with Ancient Man for about ten years.”
Why did you start doing that?
“I was one of those kids who have wanted to be in a band ever since understanding the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’”
Do you think you’re good at doing that?
“Good question. Yes, I think I’m good at it. I wouldn’t do it if I thought I was really bad at it, or even ordinary. I’d hope that people in other professions are similarly minded. After all, I wouldn’t want the brakes in my car fixed by a bloke who had no interest in being good at it, or have heart surgery performed by a surgeon who didn’t reckon he was much chop.”
If you weren’t doing that, what would you be doing?
“You do realise, that the band, collectively make about $200 a gig on average? Perhaps the question should have been, ‘What did you do when you realised that not everyone who sets out to be a rock star gets to be one? What did you do when you realised you had better get a real job?’ The answer would have been, ‘I’m a teacher, the drummer is a builder and the bass guitarist is a gardener.’”
What makes you happiest about what you’re doing?
“We always have a good laugh at rehearsal. After a hard day at work, it’s good therapy to play music with close friends. Playing a good live show is the reward for our dedication to practice and recording is a good way to rid ourselves of any disposable income and another way to celebrate our hard work.”
And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing?
“The drive home from Melbourne to our homes on the Mornington Peninsula on a Thursday morning at 2am after playing to the members of two other bands because the promoter promised that that’s how you get a Saturday night show.”
What’s you proudest moment of doing what you do?
“Playing live or getting stoked on a new song we’ve nailed.”
And your least proud?
“Any time we don’t play well live.”
