Wildcard [ 30/Apr/13 ]
Post date: May 1, 2013 11:48:17 AM
Jerry Guirguis & Janet Francis interview Wildcard the band, live-to-air from the studio of 96.5FM – Downtown [ Tuesday 30th Apr 2013 ].
8:15pm – Our special guests tonight are the members of band -: Wildcard
The current line up of Wildcard consists of ;
Jess on vocals,
Andrew on guitar,
Eugene on bass,
Chris on keyboards and guitar,
Neil on drums.
Eugene and Chris provide backing vocals on most songs, with Chris also being the lead vocalist on some songs.
Wildcard had its origins in the Weekend Warriors program when in August 2004 Andrew and Neil played at the same WW gig, but in separate bands. By early 2005 Neil’s WW band had folded whilst Andrew’s band was still on the go but minus a drummer. Neil was asked to join up but this venture lasted only four months until in August 2005 Andrew left to join another band, and was almost immediately followed by Neil. This was the birth of Wildcard and over the ensuing seven and a half years the band has had a total of 13 different members, generally with a line up of five members but also with long stints as either a four piece or six piece.
Of the current line up, Andrew and Neil are the foundation members, closely followed by Eugene who has been a member for six years. Chris and Jess are the newcomers with Chris having joined just over 12 months ago. Jess came along for just one gig as a back-up singer in late 2011, but only joined the band on a permanent basis in August 2012 and became lead singer in December 2012.
Wildcard has always strived to have a point of difference to other Weekend Warriors bands. The band, whilst having a significant number of tried and true classics in their repertoire, has always been attracted to songs from all eras of rock. None of the members are, or have ever been professional musicians, but they love the challenge of playing material that is more ‘technically’ challenging than the normal run of the mill straight pop/rock that is generally the first port of call for many cover bands.
With an age range of almost 40 years between the youngest and oldest members of the band, and with representatives from England (Andrew), South Africa (Eugene) and New Zealand (Chris), Wildcard are a perfect example of the power of music to draw together people regardless of age, gender or race. The chance to get together and ‘click’ at rehearsal or at a gig is something that gives the five members of Wildcard enormous enjoyment and satisfaction.
Hi & Welcome to 96.5FM - Downtown Let’s start with you Chris, ……..……....
Jerry Guirguis & Janet Francis
96.5FM - Downtown radio show
Presenters
0400 718 817
Hard copy of this interview can be requested via email to; Jerry.Guirguis@gmail.com