“Some people have lives; some people have music.”
Then there are musicians like Gene who squeeze into category three, people with musical lives! Playing along to music on pots and pans with wooden spoons is where many of us cease our musical journeys, but as a wee lad this was Gene’s beginning, and by age 10 he had evolved along the beat track to real drums, and over the years extended his musical smarts beyond the kit, to include guitar, harmonica, bass and piano.
By age 35 as a ‘session musician’ he had recorded and released over 11 albums and 15 E.P’s, working as a drummer/percussionist with high profile artists such as The Dekroo Brothers, Lucky Starr, Roland Storm, Johnny Devlin, Dave Graney, Peter Walsh, Amanda Brown, John Willsted (The Apartments), Ed Clayton-Jones (The Wreckery), Bosco Bosanac (The Atlantics/ Cash on Delivery) and James Cruickshank and Ken Gormly (The Cruel Sea) .
In 2002 armed with a batch of his original songs he put himself at the centre of his own group, aptly named The Gene Maynard Band. Whilst rhythm provided the unifying umbrella for his material, this outfit saw Gene step to the front of the stage, singing his own songs whilst playing guitar & harmonica. In 2007 his self-funded debut E.P “Shades of GMB” was released on the Underfoot label. The first single ” Living Outside Of The Box” defining the sound of summer, is already finding favour with a wide variety of fans, from his home base in Annandale , to the USA, Japan and Holland. Comparisons have been made to Paul Weller, Neil Finn and The Cruel Sea.
Gene’s band- GMB have forged a unique and dynamic sound that delivers a blending of Rock, Rhythm & Blues with Jazz, Funk and Soul. Gene fronts his band on lead vocals, rhythm guitar and harmonica with Ken McCormack on lead guitar and vocals, Rick Conning on elec. bass and vocals, George Bibicos on Hammond & Electric Piano and John Bickerstaff on drums. GMB have just finished recording their debut album ” Gene Pool” set for release early 2018…
Gene divides his time between teaching drums and Band Coaching at Big Music in Crows Nest as well as ongoing session work as a drummer/vocalist in a stack of bands, a much sought after modern day journeyman musician.
The current line up for The Gene Maynard Band is:
Gene Maynard-Lead Vocals Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica
Ricky Conning-Elec. Bass
George Bibicos-Elec. Piano & Hammond Organ
Ken McCormack-Lead Guitar & Vocals
John Bickerstaff-Drums
(Quote by: John Green from Will Grayson, Will Grayson)
