Happenings 20 Years Time Ago

Thanks Lederhosen... I couldn't resist...

Senior Year of High School meme

What year was it?
1984... Hawke & rampant capitalism, not Orwell & totalitarianism.

What were your three favorite bands (performers)?
King Crimson, SPK, Brian Eno... in fact... anything that didn't sound like Midnight Oil or Inxs... or Culture Club...

I'd discovered Eno through Bowie albums, had been listening to KC for a couple of years & thought my taste was unusual. Then I hooked up with Andy Rantzen, who introduced me to 80s industrial/experimental stuff like SPK, Severed Heads, Throbbing Gristle. We formed a band immediately!!

What was your favorite outfit?
I spent 12 hours a day in a school uniform, or sports gear. After that... jeans & a t-shirt was just fine thanks!

What was up with your hair?
Short most of the time... the odd experiment with gel &/or mousse... be afraid.

Who were your best friends?

The aforementioned Andy Rantzen & Stuart... the guy who's inveigled me into the last 2 reunions... never again!!

What did you do after school?

It was always about 6pm by the time I got home... even later if there'd been sport, so dinner & put a record on & pretend to do homework. I really resented having to do more work after a school day that started at 6.30am at the bus stop...

Where did you work?

Didn't... until the following year when I went to Uni... Oh! I did have a holiday job between year 11 & 12 as an office dogsbody for a PR firm in town, the proceeds of which bought my first 'real' stereo... bits of which I still have today.

Did you take the bus?

Bus to Wynyard, train to Town Hall, train to Edgecliff, bus to Rose Bay. Then the reverse afterwards. Except for the times in year 12 when it went - Bus to Wynyard, train to Town Hall (or sometimes Gosford, or Cronulla) & into Timezone or Hoyts for the day...

Who did you have a crush on?

Andy's sister, Louise Fay & a mystery blonde schoolgirl on platform 2 at Wynyard at 7am. Never did get to talk to her...

Did you fight with your parents?

Only at report card time...

Who did you have a CELEBRITY crush on?

Molly Ringwald... still have a thing for redheads today... Keren from Bananarama... would you believe she married Andrew Ridgley from Wham??!! And they're STILL married???!!!

Did you smoke cigarettes?

Tried to take up smoking for about 6 months... then just hung out behind the scoreboard for the conversation... & the passive smoking... obviously training for all the time spent in pubs & clubs since.

Did you lug all of your books around in your backpack all day because you were too nervous to find your locker?

No... never had locker room phobias or issues.

Did you have a 'clique'?

Given my taste in music at the time - more of a 'clunk'. We were known as the Cranbrook Art of Noise... not by ourselves, I hasten to add...

Did you have "The Max" like Zach, Kelly, and Slater?

Who the..? What the...?? I had Countdown, Dr Who & the Goodies. What else do you need??

Admit it, were you popular?

No, but never really gave a damn about it either...

Who did you want to be just like?

Me... only more so... Oh, alright then... David Byrne.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Same as now... a professional musician. When I grow up, I'm sure I will be.

Where did you think you'd be at the age you are now?

On tour, or in a recording studio.