BACCHUS Marsh musician Benjamin Dowd (pictured, second from left) has been in new garage rock band Apes for little more than a year, but he’s already made a serious mark on the Australian music scene.
Together with fellow Bacchus muso Sam Reale (second from right), Dowd and the four-piece group formerly known as the Boo Hoo Hoos have already taken out Triple J’s Unearthed competition, and they performed at Melbourne’s Big Day Out in January.
Dowd, 21, who manages bands at Bacchus Marsh’s Border Inn, says the Big Day Out experience was “insane”.
“To meet some of the international acts and see how they operate was great. I met the singer from Deathgrips. He was insane on stage but so relaxed off it. We’re not very similar — we get up to a few antics in real life.”
Apes and fellow Bacchus Marsh band Hollow Everdaze will feature at the 12th annual Myrniong Music Festival this Saturday.
Event organiser Alan Baulcher says the festival is building a loyal following. “The first year we had 150 attend; we expect in excess of 1000 this year.”
The event was started by Myrniong Recreation Reserve committee volunteers.
“We were concerned at the time that the reserve was getting very little use,” Baulcher says. “Our love for music, as well, played a part. So from humble beginnings Myrniong Music in the Park began.”
Saturday’s festival at the Myrniong Recreation Reserve starts at 1pm and will run in conjunction with community stalls.
Stallholders can register with Karen at Myrniong Primary School on 53687 232. Funds raised will go towards upkeep of the reserve.
