Punters of Wollongong are getting cynical.The words "live band" are being met with groans of boredom as local band nights blur into one endless Nirvana song.People are resorting to sitting at home with their CD players on a Saturday night,flicking their bedside lamps on and off in a desperate attempt to regain the soul stirring flash and color of a good gig.
Fear not music lovers,for there is a solution.It comes in the shape of four young men who go by the name of Ventolin. These guys are leaving the beaten path behind and cutting a fresh one for themselves.Some of you might have been lucky enough to catch them at the Wollongong Uni band comp,where they managed to weave some powerful magic into a few short minutes.Of course they won and then went on to come second in the state final.
For those who like a song with a bit of feeling,a bit of personality if you will,then you'll love this band.Their music is melodic without being pop and has weight without being heavy.Add to this some earnest vocals and a professional demeanour,not to mention real enthusiasm,and their you have it-a fine band in the making.
So who are these brave souls who dare to be different? Justin(Vocals/Guitar),Jeb(Drums),Chris(Guitar) and Simon(Bass) have been together since high school and have been "taking it more seriously" for the last two years.They've managed to procure some good support gigs this year,playing with Violetine,The Mark Of Cain,The Fauves and Tumbleweed.They've got a single out at the moment called "Anomie" and plan on having a new one out mid '99.They even have their own t shirts with a funky retro design that is "so ugly its cool".
An individual style has begun to appear out of their collection of songs and now that they have found their sound the boys are working on defining and refining it.They are currently re writing some old songs as well as creating new ones that are a step away from what they were doing before.There is nothing more refreshing than a band that is willing to experiment and evolve,and this is exactly what Ventolin wants to do.