When you think about your favourite band, it’s probably the music that first got you hooked. But then you start to learn about the musicians and your relationship gets even stronger.

Melbourne-based band Rudely Interrupted is no different. They have won fans around the world with their sizzling brand of marketable pop/rock. Five of the six members in the band also happen to live with a range of physical and intellectual disabilities.

With the motto “ability does not discriminate”, band members say their disabilities have no effect on their abilities as working musicians. They work hard and play hard. It's paying off handsomely with strong gig bookings around the globe and a new album called Tragedy of Commons. Last year the band even got to play at the United Nations global headquarters in New York.

Perfect pitch

Compelling lead singer Rory Burnside has Asperger’s syndrome and also literally cannot see the music in front of him. But he still has perfect pitch and a lifelong qualification in musicality.

Burnside, who is only in his early 20s, is currently very busy. Apart from Rudely Interrupted, I’m finishing off an Advanced Diploma at TAFE, he says. My vision impairment means it does take me longer to get through a specific amount of work but I have teachers who take the time to understand and listen.

The songs on Rudely Interupted’s latest album were created through collaboration. Most tracks are the product of teamwork between the charismatic Burnside and Rudely’s sixth member, band founder and manager, Rohan Brooks.

Adding value to the cultural heritage

Brooks says music can be an important outlet for people with a disability.

People with differences in their lives need to be out in the community, with music adding value to the cultural heritage, he says. It needs to be a normal thing, that way people who are disadvantaged have a voice.

That’s why we continue to take this band so far, to show people what can be done given the right support. We’re no different to anyone else, anyone can do this.

Brooks has a long-term dream to establish a school of rock. This school would give people from disadvantaged backgrounds access to quality musical tuition, band creation and recording.

Ultra cool gigs

Rudely Interrupted’s reputation in music circles has been strengthened by sold-out shows in New York and London. In addition, there have been strong performances at home at events like the ultra-cool Laneway Festival.

Marcus Stone, the Rudie’s talented keyboardist, says he has finally realised a long-time dream of belonging to a professional band. He says he has worked hard to be an important part of Rudely Interrupted and has done plenty of legwork when it comes to researching live music.

I like Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and I’m into new stuff, so I’ll go to see other bands out there with my friends and Caitlin, my girlfriend, Stone says.

If we’re doing a new song, I look for a synth or a sustained type sound, and I’ll think alright, I’ll try and experiment with some different ones. You gotta be creative otherwise the songs all sound the same and boring. No creativity, no music.

The Rudie’s have also worked hard on co-operation and camaraderie. During rehearsals, there’s constant friendly backchat between Burnside and Brooks about colours and girlfriends, and the conversation is always respectful between band members.

In the winter months the talk naturally turns often to football. Five of the six members support Collingwood, while drummer Josh Hogan (who in band archetype is required to be different) follows Carlton.

Never even picked up drumsticks

Away from the kit Hogan is a quiet man who says he often has very painful bones, especially in the winter months. He regularly has his feet in plaster, and the drumkit needs to be set up in a close arrangement so when his wrists do sometimes give out he can keep playing.

Before joining the band, Hogan says he would listen to drums on songs on the radio, figuring out the rhythms and different styles. When the band is in full swing, his drumming is breathtaking and smacks of confidence. But what shocks everyone is that Josh had never even picked up drumsticks before sitting down in front of the drum kit at a band rehearsal two years ago.

The other band members are bass player Sam Beke and “human metronome” Constance Kirkpatrick. 

An exhilarating time

Rudely Interrupted is currently enjoying an exhilarating time, with their new album Tragedy of Commons out now. There is also a television documentary screened on the ABC, and a massive touring schedule.

Band members say that with so much to do, their weekly rehearsals have become streamlined and focused. But all the hard work is worth it, with gigs showing audiences their message of accountability, presented in the most professional and polished way possible.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t the odd bit of nerves before a big show. Burnside is perhaps the band’s most reliable thermometer for an approaching gig. The closer we get to a show, well, do you think this is a ‘Code Red’ situation? he says. Then like all good narrators, Burnside adds a comical: Beep, beep, beep! Warning, warning!

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