Rock 'N' Roll Singer

𝗦𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡

DUMBSKULLS INTERVIEW
DATE: 10 December 1978

RICK: G'day to all of you out in Radio Land, this is Rockin' Rick, and you're listening to 2RNR, Australia's premier rock and roll station, keeping you moving and grooving from Sydney to Perth.' You just heard "The Cover of 'Rolling Stone" by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, which was actually requested by one of my special guests here with me today. You know that we're not just about big-time rock and rollers here, but the young kids coming up in the music world today as well. The ones playing in pubs and dingy dance halls, fighting for their chance in the spotlight—or the cover of a magazine.

I've had the pleasure of chatting with this band before hopping onto the mike. You may not recognise them now, but the Dumbskulls have already cut a single set to release this Christmas. With a name like that, you'd think they'd be a band of no-hopers. [laughs] Anyways, they're coming now as I speak. Kids, introduce yourselves.

JACK: Jack Bell, lead guitar.

GEORGE: George McCarthy, bass.

JOEY: Joey Lyon, drums.

MARIE: Marie Quinn, vocals.

RICK: 'Marie Quinn.' That's a very nice name.

MARIE: Better than 'Albright.' Blegh.

GEORGE: Sounds like a hippie name, if you ask me, 'Albright.'

JOEY: Everything's gonna be 'albright,' man. Age of Aquarium, and all that rubbish.

MARIE: You're so mean. [punches him in the arm]

RICK; Ok, before an actual fist fight breaks out, let's talk about your group. I'm gonna be honest here and say that 'Dumbskulls' has gotta be one of the dumbest names I've ever heard. [laughs]

JACK: Ooooh. [falls back in his chair] That hurt.

RICK: You don't expect a place like Chequers to put a name like that up there in lights, do you?

GEORGE: [whispers to Jack] As long as we're not up there with 'Rockin' Rick.'

JOEY: The name was Jack's idea; 'Dumbskull' was a nickname given to him by his dad.

RICK: Really? Did he approve of your rock and roll aspirations, Jack?

JACK: He was pretty much indifferent, but if the music was too loud, he'd come marching up the stairs, left, right, left, right, thump, thump, and tell me to 'turn it down, Dumbskull.' It became a badge of honour for me.

RICK: Did anyone else's parents object?

JOEY, MARIE, GEORGE: [shake their heads]

RICK: Interesting. Now where do you guys play? Would I have to worry about losing my wallet or burning a hole in it?

JACK: We play wherever we can. We've become a favourite at the Ruby Room, an Under 21 club. The kids are great there, though. They're always requesting songs, and they applaud louder than any crowd I've ever been part of.

GEORGE: They tip well, too.

RICK: You seem to really like it there, but what if I told you that I know someone that you'd love to meet?

MARIE: Who?

RICK: Only the man responsible for booking the entertainment at Chequers, love.

JACK: No way.

RICK: Believe it, kid. I don't mean to brag, but I do have his number. I can't say it on the air, but, who knows. Maybe afterwards...

MARIE: My eyes are up here, sir.