|
|
|
|
BRENDAN WATSON
Brendan Watson is a song-writing, singer and guitar player with Propane. He started in Propane as the guitarist/ singer, but soon developed a hankering for taking the front man role - and leaving the guitar on its stand. Never short of an idea, theory, encouraging word he relishes in the role of front man. Brendan wasn't born to fill the role however, he developed into the role.
Brendan cut his musical teeth playing the keyboard then when he hit his teens picked up a guitar. Soon after learning the basics on the guitar Brendan started writing his own tunes and lyrics - inflicting them upon family. This 'inflicting' (plus some convincing words) bore fruit however, as it influenced younger brother Luke to start playing the drums and join his rock band. He then talked his school mate Knokker into putting down his flute and picking up the bass and talked Luke's mate James Palmer into leaving his death metal band
"Rusteal Pride" to join his band The Distrort Pigeons. So one can see at this early stage that Brendan had the motivation, vision and drive to get things started. Things have not changed - today Brendan is constantly working on new ideas and concepts and is continually recruiting the right people to make the dreams and passions become a reality.
Spend any amount of time with Brendan and one will soon realise that his brain is on overdrive - constantly working on creative project and seeking information. Having completed a Bachelor of Science (Geology), Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and also a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) Brendan is no stranger to hard work, discipline and study. He applies these attitudes to his creative pursuits of music and writing. In the studio Brendan is on overdrive - thinking up new ideas for songs and creating harmonies, melodies, beats and weird sounds. He loves working with other people to develop ideas for recording. Moreover, Brendan not only has a bank of nearly 100 songs already written - but also is currently working on three books, and a Science Fiction TV series called "Space Skivvies".
|
|
|
|  REVEREND
PHIL SLADE
Keyboardist, programmer and producer for Propane
Phil started his turbulent musical career in the
suburbs of Wishart, Australia. From a background
of classical piano Phil has become one of Brisbane's
foremost producers - and all before his 30th birthday.
Over the past five years Reverend Phil's talents
have been used and exploited by solo artists, bands,
church groups, theatre production, film scores and
for a brief time he was a jingle writer - but now
his talents are less exploited and the direction
more defined. Phil now focusses on Propane as well
as theatre productions, film scores and album production.
After commencing his musical career as a session
keyboard player for a variety of acts from gospel
to rock to indigenous world music, Reverend Phil
soon developed an interest for the production side
of music. Phil's passions also experienced a shift
from the piano toward more electronic sounds to
samplers and computer music. These two worlds of
computer music and production have now become one
as Rev. Phil uses his expertise on his mac and with
music to be the number one arranger, programmer
and engineer for Propane.
Phil has an uncanny skill in picking the right mood
and feel for a song and knows how to bring the best
out of every song. This is a necessary skill for
his working in Propane as all too often Luka and
Brendan come to the studio with ideas, loops, melodies
- and Phil is expected to weave his magic and take
these raw ideas and create a complete song from
them. A challenging role which Reverend Phil relishes
in!
As for his own songs Reverend Phil takes inspiration
from everyday life and weaves them with killer rhythms
and melodies to produce amazing results. For example
- "Pop Is Porn" originated from a talk
back radio session, a guitar riff and two glasses
of Merlot; "Hypocrite" was created after
a drive through Brisbane's Fortitude Valley with
relatives, a drum and bass loop and sleep deprivation.
Reverend Phil is the nutty professor of the group
and outside of music enjoys watersports, coffee
with friends, movies, AFL, …and his favourite car
is the Jaguar.
|
| |
| 
LUKE
"LUKA" WATSON
Luka's forte is rhythm. His talent in the band fundamentally
lies with his powerful thundering drumming, seductive
conga playing and with programming loops and arranging
the rhythm section in the studio. Basically setting
up Propane's groove is Luka's role!
His unique drumming style has been influenced by
Keith Moon, Rob Hirst, Chad Smith, Steve White,
Jack Irons, Reni and Zack Starkey. These influences
combined with Luka's own innovation make a lethal
cocktail of power, explosiveness, dynamics, subtlety
and quirk. Luka started receiving tuition for the
drums at age 14 and his parents bought his first
Maxtor five piece kit at 15. Today, on stage, Luka
plays a four piece TAMA swingstar kit with a 14'
Pearl Emerald Mist Master Custom Snare and a set
of Zildjian Cymbals (14' custom A quickbeat hihats;
16' A Medium Crash; 18' A Medium crash, 10' A Splash
on top of a 20' A Custom Ping Ride). Luka also has
his own rage of custom "caravan" range
of drumsticks. In the studio, Luka uses anything
and everything to help him create the perfect rhythm
to match the song's mood.
Over the past year, Luka has spread his percussive
wings and branched out from stick drumming to hand
drumming. The motivation for the move was so he
could develop a greater understanding of rhythm
in particular Cuban and African rhythms. Moreover,
the construction of rhythms and the placement of
the various percussive instruments and beats to
generate certain moods and grooves. This new facet
to Luka's musicianship has aided propane's sound
acoustically and electronically. On stage Luka adds
a vital ingredient to certain songs with his conga
craft. Whereas in the studio Luka's understanding
of rhythm and arrangement is a vital part of the
Propane sound.
Apart from music Luka is a writer, currently writing
a book entitled "Viva! Europa!". A story
about three school buddies reunited ten years after
school to travel around Europe. He also makes fake
ID cards; collects postcards and has a passion for
Biblical art and Pop art.
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
