Blog # 8 – Great Night at Goodna RSL!
Last night, Saturday the 19th of June, 2010, I booked three bands into the Goodna RSL for a super band night. It went far better than my wildest expectations! One of the factors that lead to a successful evening was having David Shackleton as our Sound Engineer. It is such a bonus when you can focus on playing your best, confident that the sound is in safe hands. David is a true professional and kept the sound levels down under 100 db all night which is just what many of the venues now require.
My band, Dinki-Di: the Ausie Rock band, kicked off the night’s entertainment with a mixture of songs from Dragon, Mental As Anything, Aussie Crawl, Paul Kelly, GangaJang and even Lee Kernaghan. We had a lot in the crowd who had attended the Ipswich Cup at the races and had been celebrating long before we arrived. They were up for a bit of banter and we had a good time with an exchange of views on football teams and songs they would like us to play 
We had a few dancers up on the floor and we were pleased that we kept the audience engaged for the entire set!
Lattitude, a blues/rock band were up next and the change of style had many that simply come to dine change their plans and stay longer to hear the music. Sexy singer Kim Fredericks and soulful Sax player Steve Moorhouse form a great partnership that works well. They are supported by great musicians and belt out a type of Cabaret show with songs from the Beatles, Renee Geyer, The Badloves and I still go weak at the knees when they play my favourite song of all time, Baker Street. More dancers hit the floor and again the audience were enthusiastic in their applause.
The third band was 2XS who play melodic pub rock. They mix rock ballads with hard rock tunes and a few old classics such as Mustang Sally and Wipeout to keep the crowd wondering what’s up next. A few of the patrons worse for wear after a hard day at the races bailed out but the dance floor was full and the music was great. Our sound guy managed to keep the band’s sound rocking without increasing the volume. The first night of the Super Band experiment was a real success.
Three bands mean they they do bring a crowd with them and I’m pleased to report that we had a lot of support from other Weekend Warriors and bands which is much appreciated. I make a habit of asking as many staff members as I can about how they thought the bands went and the overwhelming response was that they loved it, enjoyed it, and wanted more. One woman remarked to her party of friends that they should come more often now that the RSL has gotten rid of the duos and had great bands that don’t hurt their ears! Now that is music to the ears of booking agents, bands and the venue operators. T’was a great night… even my 28 year old son enjoyed the night
Blog # 7- Review of WW Gigs June 4-6 2010
I booked “Flashbax” into the Springwood Bowls Clubs on Friday the 4th June. The Club is easy to find with enough parking and the building is on the one level. It is an open floor plan with a small stage and good sized dance floor up one end, tables and chairs for around 150 diners with a kitchen/servery, and the bar then the pokies at the other end. Its an old club but well presented. The food was absolutely great and reasonably priced. I estimated about 100 diners and 30 or so having a quiet drink in the bar so the club was pretty full for a Friday night.
The band began with a number of instrumentals and one was transported back into the Sixties when Surf Music was the rage and instrumentals were making the charts consistently. It was very pleasant for the diners. After the dinner set the boys warmed up with some old R & B numbers and classic hits from the 50′s and 60′s. There was a good crowd on the dance floor all night and the Rock n Roll numbers saw a few jivers strut their stuff. John and the boys from “Flashbax” were well received by the patrons and the management.
“Recovered” was the first band into my trial as an agent at the Goodna RSL and played there on Saturday night, the 5th of June. It’s a decent sized club with an open plan as well. There is seating for around 300 diners and one part of this has a medium sized stage and a good sized dance floor. There were around 100 diners in that section and 50 or so in the adjoining area. The band kicked off at 8 pm as requested by management but I’ll ask if we can start at 7.30 pm as our brief is to try and get diners to stay and enjoy the entertainment provided by live bands.
The band began on time and belted out their repertoire of classic hits from the 60s to the naughties and pretty much had dancers up all night, right through to midnight. The sound levels were good although it was difficult to hear the backing singer. There appeared to be some fold back issues but that didn’t detract from the good sound. This is a band that appeals to most of the punters being able to play all genre including classic Rock n Roll. Another entertaining part of the night was an ultra cool dancer and partner parading around the dance floor and a pair of Rock n Roll dancers that were absolutely fantastic to watch. The swirling skirt and subsequent display of great legs and underwear resulted in a few of getting smacked upside the head from our intolerant wives but, shrug, what;s a man to do!
The food was reasonably priced and very very tasty. I was genuinely surprised at the quality of the food and the free pancakes that accompanied the meal afterwards. I plan to go along as often as possible to enjoy our bands playing and get stuck into the food. With the upgrade on the Ipswich motor way, the Goodna RSL s not more than 20 minutes south of the CBD and access to the club itself is dead easy. There is also plenty of parking.
On Sunday afternoon, the 6th of June, I was able to watch around 60 people enjoy barefoot bowling, a quiet ‘Blue tongue’ light beer, lunch on a gourmet burger (very nice) and listen to “City Limit” belt out your favourite tunes from the 50′s with great harmonies from the fellas. The venue was the ‘Boo’ (Booroodabin Bowls Club) in Newstead Rd., Newstead, just a hop, skip and jump from the Breakfast Creek bridge. I recommend that all Warriors have a Sunday afternoon out at ‘The Boo’.
Don’t miss Keith Williams band “RetroActive” at the Goodna RSL next Saturday night the 12th of June 2010!
Blog # 6 – The Sword and the Pen… and the Guitar!?!
Everyone should have the opportunity to gain an education that will assist them in planning their future in the work force and/or develop their own business or trade. I believe that in the schools, colleges and university there is more emphasis on students entering various pathways of their own choice in how they will make their living. In times past students were taught as if they would all end up University professors when completing University… well you know what I mean. Education for education’s sake!
There is one aspect of education in our current system that is lacking and that is learning how to defend ones self and loved ones when the ugly side of life presents itself. Yes, many schools bring in martial art instructors for short term self-defense courses and may even have after school martial art clubs operating on school premises. However there was a program included in the physical education curriculum in the Okinawan schools around the turn of the 20th Century specifically designed by their leading MA expert and it remains just as suitable for today’s students. It was called Karate and needs to be adopted in Australia as part of each childs education.
The original traditional karate was a PE program designed to tur out better citizens who in times of National emergency could contribute greatly in preserving the safety of the nation. The concept was that hard physical training and building a platform of self-defense would lead to students building confidence and tolerance of others. They had the confidence to walk away from trouble knowing they had nothing to prove. Also the rigorous training created strong students who looked fit and well and able to defend themselves if need be. Typically bullies and toughs look for easy targets!
At the Australian Karate Academy, we have returned to the original concepts and while one can’t turn back the clock. We are now focussed on teaching our students self-defense and building their strength and fitness levels in a 6 month course which is the first level of becoming a Black Belt. The second level involves advanced karate studies and progresses to a third level which has a trainee teacher aspect so that by Black Belt, the karateka also knows how to teach what they have learned. After 40 years of training, studying and teaching karate to children and adults alike, I can truly say that I am finally pleased with the end results. I believe the Australian Karate Academy is a place where parents can take their children along to learn the physical and mentals skills necessary to survive in this world we have to live in. Adults will also fel the same way.
To finish, I also have discovered how making music with the guitar has added to my enjoyment of life itself. Music soothes like nothing else does and transports the muso to another world. I’m not talking the world of sex, drugs and rock n Roll either Its just very satisfying to make live music yourself. My involvement in the Weekend Warrior program as a participant and then the organizer has given me a unique opportunity to feel and see how much pleasure can be derived from playing an instrument or singing in a band. Therefore to me, the three things really complement each other beautifully! The Pen, the Sword and the Guitar!
Bob McMahon
www.aka.com.au
www.billyhydemusic.com.au/
Blog # 5 – Taking Care of Business
Opportunity Knocks:
I’m looking to take on a few trainee karate instructors for three reasons:
1) To expand the business
2) To share 40 years of experience training in karate and doing the research
3) To contribute to society
Trainee Instructor Course:
I’m looking for adults both young and older who have at least 2 years experience in traditional karate to train to teach our karate program to children and adults. They need to be dedicated and passionate about karate and wanting to help others. We need instructors and cannot meet that need within our club so we need to look outside. We will provide free instructor training at Coorparoo so apply now by email bob@aka.com.au or call 0448 233 556.
What most don’t know about karate today!
Karate is a modern art having begun as a physical education program in Okinawan schools just over 100 years ago. Karate is touted as a self-defense art but although it was created from ‘Te”, the indigenous Okinawan art of brutal self-defense, karate was created to teach kids in school to become better citizens. The self-defense component of modern karate is dependent on the knowledge and experience of the individual instructors. If an instructor has been taught the sport and ritualistic aspects then that is what they tend to teach.
How Do I Know This?
This what I experienced in the first 20 years of training. Karate was taught with little explanation of the techniques taught. Kicks, punches and strikes were sel evident but the rest including kata (forms) were a mystery to all. Since the 80′s there has been an information boom but so many opinions differ it is difficult for karateka to know what and who to believe. I was always looking to improve my understanding of the art and contact with several knowledgeable teachers gave me the necessary tools to better comprehend both theory and practical aspects.
What We Teach at the Australian Karate Academy?
We call our school (style) ‘Koshinkan’ to reflect that we teach modern karate but follow the original traditions as set out by the architect of modern karate, Itosu Ankoh. This means that we teach karate as a platform of self defense under the understanding that the physical techniques of karate are only to be used as a last resort. Its far more important to avoid putting oneself at risk and within the training, it becomes clear that physical confrontation is not the answer to today’s problems. However, we all need to be prepared just in case we end up in a situation where we, or our children, need to defend ourselves. Proper Karate training helps its practitioners to stay one step ahead of such situations. Karate training doesn’t make anyone invincible but taught properly, one can employ common sense and practical physical responses.
In conclusion, I’m looking to open more classes and need passionate karateka to help.If that sounds like you then get in touch soon- by email bob@aka.com.au or call 0448 233 556.
Blog # 4 – Cat & Dogs
My daughter Tegan has moved home for a while and brought her lovely cat along. Huey, my Australian Bulldog, and Blossom, my American Johnston Bulldog appear to have their short stubby noses out of joint. They can’t seem to work out why the cat remains inside and they must stay outside?? They also can’t quite work out why we got rid of the birds, sister Louise took over their care, and why this cat has displaced them in the home!
They have very sad little faces at the moment and their reaction to the cat as she swaggers past is easily recognized as homicidal. I can see a little bit of the na na na nah na going on. The dohs however get their big biscuit in the morning, a bone in the afternoon, their dry bikkies for tea and a walk up to Toohey Forest just about every day. Pets really have a pretty good life and I often wonder who is really in charge, us or them? Paranoid… maybe.
Still in those down moments when nothing seems to go right, over the dogs come to nudge and show their love. The bloody cat runs off when you want to give her a cuddle and has taken to playing with a ping pong ball of a night. My bride says she gets lonely and to be quiet and let her sleep. I know where I am placed on the totem pole at home and one could not get hurt from falling from that low height! Still I know I am a man, King of the castle and head of the household! Damn hope she doesn’t read this!
Blog # 3 – Music Warriors
I was watching Sunrise on Channel 7 one morning and happened to see a story on the Weekend Warriors (WW). A music program which put musicians into temporary bands to play a concert to family, friends and fans! Having entertained the dog and alienated the children at home I thought it was time to annoy some other poor buggers so I went along to a WW sign on jam. To my amazement I was placed in a band and away I went; some 5 years later I’m still playing in a band. I became so involved I ended up running the program, I race ahead, oops!
Beginning in a band is a bit like learning karate. You learn the basics and soon believe you know it all… for those who may not be aware, many karate-ka reach Green Belt and become gurus. In music after performing at a WW Concert some of us believed we were destined for greatness. In karate, at your first competition, you realize how much you don’t know which is a big step forward. In music, at your first gig, you realize what a rank amateur you are when you forget which song is next, how it goes, and what bloody key do we play this in???
But you know there are really nice people everywhere and a few boof heads and we must all learn to take the good with the bad. I’ve had a few sporting achievements that I’m proud of, been a National Champion in two countries, and I’ve trained students to win International Gold Medals. My greatest moments have been playing alongside music colleagues at concerts and clubs and the camaraderie that goes hand in hand. My best experience so far is playing a corporate function at the Boondal Entertainment Centre before hundreds of people. We were first up and played our hearts out felt fantastic after it.
Playing live music in a band should be on everyone’s bucket list?
Blog # 2 – Back at it…
With son Cheyne away on holiday I’ll be taking the Black Belt class tonight and for a couple of weeks. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me to get back to a level of fitness and skill that will satisfy me but I’m not deterred. Everything is about timing and its strange how things just seem to happen for a reason. I wonder if others find themselves propelled along pathways despite their unknowing attempts of resistance. I have been keen to return to a greater involvement in our karate school but I was very busy with work, concerned that I would be treading on my son’s toes and unsure of how the students might react to the old boy taking classes. Well work has eased, my son is very keen to have me back by his side and tonight will see if the students will be accepting on their old sensei.
I won’t go into my plans for the class tonight as a couple of the BB’s will no doubt read this before they hit the road to the dojo I can say that I will be having a mat chat about a current topic of interest. I was listening to 4BC in the car and there was a lot of discussion about a notice issued by police in regard to citizens not placing themselves in situations where they can be victims. This was in regard to walking the streets of Brisbane during daylight hours. AS I understand it anyway as I didn’t hear it all and may have something out of context. There was some discussion about children taking up Martial Arts and some callers rang in to share their experiences after learning Judo and Karate.
The gist of it is that modern Budo (Martial Art Way) no longer has self defense as the greatest priority. In fact in most karate and judo schools it is dependent upon the teacher as to what is the focus of the school. If a school focuses on competition then although there are self defense benefits but it is not the focus. Other schools are more like fitness classes, still a good thing and others are taken with what they perceive as a way of life and live and breathe their interpretation of the philosophy and training regime. It would take many pages to throughly clarify this situation and give the background of the modern approach to karate.
Instead I would like to state with certainty that my own research indicates that the original karate was intended to imbue a code of ethics and morality similar to what was once known as citizenship classes. Our children have lost respect for authority and have been fed a load of nonsense through the modern means of communication. Manners have disappeared,,, women have been influenced by the wrong role models and have adopted similar roles to the men in their life. Swearing is now accepted in mixed groups whether young or old. Females tend to drink and smoke more and are losing the respect that males were once taught to show automatically. On rereading what /i have just written I can see how this makes me a relic and out of step with modern thinking of equality however I was brought up to consider females better that males. They exhibited more pride and dignity than we ever did!
Now don’t get me wrong, I am no saint nor a wowser and I have had my moments of disgrace. I also see no harm in friends whether male, female or in a mixed group speaking plainly and swearing to emphasize their points of discussion. I just prickle when I hear strangers join a conversation and act and talk inappropriately with no concept that others are put off. I have heard young skaties talking loudly amongst themselves on a train and saying things better left for a shearing shed. I can swear with the best of them but do so in the appropriate company. My kids didn’t hear any swearing going on in our home, at least not intentionally.
Where am I heading with this? Well I plan to teach karate along the lines of its original purpose with children and try to promote some old fashioned manners and discourage them from getting caught up in the horrific drinking culture that has ruined our society. A drop in the ocean perhaps but its all I can do and through our karate schools I believe we can make a difference to some lives. I’m acutely aware that I may be right out of step with my karate peers but hey, I always have been. It seems to me that we need people to make their own stand and not be swept along with all the nonsense that people seem to go along with even though they know its not right. Yeah I’m back at it again 
Blog # 1 – Current Situation…
Currently I find myself looking forward to a new chapter in my life. In 2005, suffering from a hip injury, I found it both physically and mentally draining to continue to teach karate on a full time basis. I had been involved in karate since 1965 and began teaching in my own dojo (training hall) since 1978. Having been a successful competitor (State and National Karate Federation Gold Medallist in Australia and New Zealand), a successful coach (producing numerous State, National and International Champions) and the owner/operator of a full time karate school that at its zenith boasted 30 dojo across Australia with over 1000 students, I found myself feeling jaded and worn out. The hip injury saw a return to playing the guitar instead of long daily walks through the nearby forest and seeing the launch of a Weekend Warrior Music program on the breakfast TV show, Sunrise, led me to sign up and join a band for fun. What fun it was and I ended up playing guitar and the lead singer in a Country Rock Band. I also joined the Weekend Warrior program as a part time Event Coordinator which soon lead to taking over as the Events Manager.
Five years down the track circumstances see a return to the family karate business in a new managerial role and leaving the training side to the current Chief Instructor, my son Cheyne. I plan to continue an involvement in the music business as a member of the “Dinki-Di” Aussie Rock Band and developing a small business as a booking agent for mature-aged bands. I may end up doing contract work for a music store and I look forward with renewed enthusiasm for all roles. I have been booking rock bands into an RSL venue for around six months and that experience has taught me that there is a niche market to be had if I’m prepared to put in the time and effort. There is also a new challenge for me in returning to karate!
For the last ten years or so of my involvement in karate I had moved into a research and development phase and discovered many things that was not common knowledge. There were and remain many myths surrounding karate and its history, purpose and real benefits to the community. The name karate was applied to the martial art program developed for Okinawan Schools at the turn of he twentieth century. It was redesigned and made safer for school children and evolved into a recreational activity and sport. It was not intended to be a self defense art as was its predecessor, Te, it can be taught as self defense but that depends more on the teacher than the modern art. Having seen the good and dark side of competition karate, I have little interest in that aspect. However for a couple of years I have been concerned by the violence being perpetrated by young people and the terrible effects of the drinking culture we have allowed to develop in our country. The original purpose of karate was to produce worthwhile community members who would contribute positively to the nation and karate can be a very useful vehicle for this objective. My family karate school, the Australian Karate Academy, has already adopted this philosophy and I will be ramping up our presence in the community…. to be continued!
