MacJuJu is simply the moniker I use to present my work under a united front.
There are myriad musicians with whom I collaborate in both recording and performance: here are the names of some of the wonderful people who have generously shared their joy of making noise with me:
Mark Tinson, Rockin' Rob Riley, Craig T Foster, Ngariki, Cyd, Ronnie Bult, Bob Daisley, Brien McVernon, Rick Mellick, Tony Heads, Trevor Dare, Graham Whittingham, Al Wade, Mick Visser, Danny Jackson, Izzy Osmanovic, Kenny Jewel, Rob Bell, Dennis Dunaway, Joe Bouchard, Ritchie Scarlette, Patty G, Rick Caballo, Dave Evans, Dave Gleeson, Paul Wosseen, Simon Croft, Scott Kingsman, Dave Hinds, Robbie Parde, Mark Black, Nick Rosetti, John Baillie, Rob Baillie, Vince Contarino, Bruce Howe, Paolo Vellicelli, Brad Heaney, Rick Manevski, Leeroy Hammond, Chris Stockley, Mal Eastick, John Swan, Pete Kerkell, Pete Northcott, Greg Lee, Johnny Idol, James Humblegod, John Landkauf, Pete "Rocka" Reay, Neil Hugginson, Steve Murray, Cheryl and Terry OKeefe, Col Carter, James Bonefont, Steve Cowley, Dave Carter, ...and the list goes on.....
Influences
friends, family, books, movies, music, the weather, life in general
Sounds Like
My music (specifically Freak $hop) was once refered to by Rolling Stone magazine as "an eclectic mish-mash"...I take that as a compliment. For info on the songs included on this page just open up the lyrics to which ever song takes your fancy. The lyrics arent there...but you will find a bit of info on who played what, why the song is important to me etc. Hope you find something of interest.
Ive been belting on a variety of drums (predominantly Premier and Ludwig) since I was 14...still love a good whack !!!... though now its strictly "non-professional". The music featured on this page gives a glimpse at some of the work Ive done with various bands as a drummer and in the case of Freak $hop and WELD:…a kind of vocalist. There have been (and continue to be) some wonderful gigs /moments: Highlights: Jamming with Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper bassist) and Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult) at Ale Mary’s Pub, Millbrook NY in 2005 and playing a set of Cream songs with Dennis Wilson (guitar) and legendary bassist Bob Daisley (Ozzy, Rainbow, Sabbath, Heep, Gary Moore etc) back in the mid 80s. Most of the gigs Ive played with my dear friends Tinno, Brindy, Toots, GreyDohme, Ngariki, Rockin' Rob Riley, CT, Cenz, The Dingo, Izzy, Kenny, Tybore, Hoppy, Headsy, Rocka, Danny, Swanee, Ricko, Pauly, Gleeso etal have been at best incredible and at worst amusing!!! I also collect rock memorabilia (predominantly Alice Cooper although I do have some cool Stones, Sabbath and Zeppelin stuff).
As far as LISTENING choices its Alice Cooper (the original band, the man, the myth, the legend) and Black Sabbath (especially Ozzy era though you cant hate Dio's "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules") that are my enduring passions. Best concerts Ive seen over the years include: Original Alice Cooper band (without legendary GB of course) Xmas Pudding 2006, original Black Sabbath at Ozzfest 2005, scamming myself and friends (Toots & Ricko) front row for the Rolling Stones "Voodoo Lounge" and "Bigger Bang" tours and "40 Licks" at THE ENMORE !!! Heaven and Hell (lets be honest and call them Black Sabbath hey !?!?!) with my son Zac August 8 2007 and Ozzy again with Zacco, March 18 2008. I also enjoy the usual suspects ie: Led Zeppelin, Slade, Deep Purple, Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, The Beatles, The Who etc. I love The Dissociatives album and the criminally neglected works of Rockin' Rob Riley…. while Im at it: Neil Young's "Harvest", Pink Floyd, Free, Bad Company, Marianne Faithful, Lou Reed (I guess Ill keep updating this as things come to mind).
Physical stuff: Im both spectrumly and follically challenged, carrying a little more weight than I need or had hoped for (hopefully I can change that). I just make 6' tall.
What I do: At time of writing Im taking "Leave Of Absence" from my studies before returning to finish my PhD. in 2009. Im working in Drama at Newcastle University on an Oral History Project based on experiences of Maitland Gaol (or jail for US residents). I also work with "at risk" kids in the local area. This is at turns extremely frustrating and overwhelmingly fulfilling. I coached junior soccer for a number of years but as my son has progressed through the grades I have become more an interested parent "assisting from the sideline".
Im currently in a relationship with a lovely woman named Linda. We have more than our fair share of ups and downs but somehow seem to maintain a loving friendship. I hope we can build on that. I have a son Zac. He is currently 13 yeas old though that will of course change. He is the most amazing person I know and the best thing to ever come into my life. He amazes and inspires me every day on so many different levels. I love him.
Ive been fortunate enough to have met many of my musical heroes / influences including Alice Cooper, Dennis Dunaway, Neal $mith, Michael Bruce, Cindy Smith Dunaway, Dick Wagner, Johnny Cash, Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Castillo, Zakk Wylde, Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake, Mick Box, Ian Paice, Roger Glover, John Lord, Ian Gillan, Paul Rodgers, Mick Tucker, Bill Wyman, Rockin' Rob Riley, Peter Wells, the Andersons (Ian & Angry), Dallas "Digger" Royal, Smokey Dawson, Stevie Wonder, Joe Vitalli, Frank Ifield, Billy Thorpe, Peter Frampton, Gary Brooker, and Roger Daltrey. Sporting greats Ive had the pleasure to meet include Ray Baartz, Ron Coote, Andrew "Joey" Johns, Matty Johns, Willie Mason, Peter Sterling, Paul "Chief" Harragon and Paul "Fatty" Vautin. My greatest "heroes" in real terms though would be my parents Laurel and John who have guided me through life the best they knew how and my Grandmother, Myrtle Parkinson, who maintained supreme dignity and integrity throughout her life though suffering the horrors of arthritis.
A wish list would include music legends Bill Ward, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Marianne Faithful, actors Linda Blair, Raquel Welch, Michael Palin, Peter O'Toole, Gary MacDonald, sports greats Pele, Ronaldinho, Artie Beetson,
If there is life after death I look forward to catching up with Glen Buxton, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Frank Zappa, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ned Kelly, Heath Ledger and Graham Chapman (read GC's "Autobiography Of A Liar"...wonderful !!!)
Hey Mac send me an e-mail so I can get you back in my address book. Can you also send me Trevors, a whole pile of his videos have gone missing from my NBD video page.
Checked out all your pics:) Cool stuff:) You guys look like a fun family!!! And you have some great shots there:) Come see ct in the fall it is beautifuL:) The colors are already changing: Hugs, Patty G
Hey Mac if you are wondering why I haven't e-mailed you any Alice Cooper pawn lately its cause I had a hard drive crash and lost your e-mail address. Have you noticed my web site is now newcastlebandsdatabase. com. au ??? I'm the owner of a 'real' domain name and it's now all on one server ... Woooooohooooo
