MetSO's Neale Austin
What instrument(s) do you play with the MetSO?
Percussion / Timpani / Drums.
Why do you play drums?
I love the rhythmic drive of it all, plus I get to play really loudly.
Do I play other instruments?
I can play piano, guitar, and electric bass.
I played flute at high school for a couple of years. Too many notes!
How many years have you played with MetSO?
I joined in 2003.
How do you support your musical life?
Do I have a day job? Yes unfortunately!
I have a government school cleaning job.
It’s good exercise, pays the bills, keeps the weight off and I get endless holidays.
Favourite composers of all time?
Beethoven,
Brahms,
Lennon & McCartney.
Favourite MetSO concerts? .
We did the Brahms requiem complete with choir at UWA with Burhan conducting. Excellent.
I also loved the concert featuring Ronald Thomas on violin.
He was as amazing as he was old!
He’s a man who reeks of been there and done that.
He also rocked up with an entourage made up of purely women!
Hope he comes back.
Favourite movie soundtrack?
It was/would be “Grease” and/or “Saturday Night Fever.”
Neale’s kit
Practice tip?
Just do it!
Worst instrument failure?
With drums?!? Plenty!
With MetSO I did manage to drop a cymbal through the plastic timpani head mid performance.
The stand gave way. It destroyed the drumhead and crashed loudly.
The conductor said later that the crash was in the right place (!)
The most useful thing in my music gear?
A pencil (boring) and my electronic tuner.
Best way to overcome stage fright?
A tough one. I can get nervous.
My way is to prepare thoroughly and not think disaster scenarios in my head.
What is the oddest thing you will find in my music case?
You would find a ticket to the Eagles vs Bombers game of Aussie Rules played in Darwin in 2000.
Don’t ask me why!? The Eagles won.
Timpani Drums
Describe myself in three words?
There is often a pre-conception that all drummers are crazy, promiscuous alcoholics with one eye for the ladies.
Possibly.
But we’re actually quite shy.
I can’t listen to music and .... ?
Kiss a girlfriend. Never understood that one.
What do I eat before a concert?
Bacon and eggs on toast at the Malaga markets.
What Musicians most inspire you and why?
Anyone good on their instrument.
But I really like people who create their own music.
The good and the bad.Why? Because they stick their necks out to be creative.