Ryan Calder Band

As you know, I am intrigued by people’s stories. I much prefer autobiographies over anything else. There’s nothing more interesting, I find, than hearing someone’s story and their own personal journey: what they’ve been through and what are the things that have made them who they are.

And if our drummer Rudi had a biography, it would be well worth the read. (more…)

Last year’s Cape tour was an incredible experience for me personally. We performed in a packed-out 25m² café of wine drinkers. We opened for Plush at the Assembly to hundreds of young boozers. We performed a supper-theatre show for an audience where the average age was 65. And we set up on a verandah in Paarl and performed for a group of orphaned children. Six nights out of seven, and Rudi made it through alive.

That seems a lifetime ago. (more…)

Everyone at some time or another eventually experiences the kind of stress that incapacitates, where the delightful curveballs that life throw at you evade the cricket regulation catches required to save the ball from crashing into your face. So I was no stranger to the numb effects that came as a direct result of Rudi, like Jack before him, behaving like a dull boy. But even the planning for a downtime necessary to remedy my dire situation would bounce off my cranium like a Brett Lee bouncer.

In steps long time friend and regular agony uncle, Greg, to sell me on a weekend fishing trip to his favourite haunt in Umtinzini. Three days and two nights on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, just the two guys, free of anything resembling responsibility, decorum or meals that included all the major food groups. (more…)

This week’s Caption Competition photograph is supplied by Rudi. Pic was taken while waiting around for soundcheck at the Royal Rock concert 2010. (more…)

It takes a split second to push through from paralyzing fear into the confidence that makes you step out on stage and try own it. Waiting for the moment when we would kick off the Royal show concert was much like getting wax treatment from a snail with narcolepsy, as the deadline kept being moved back in 10 minute increments to accommodate the sloth like arrival of what would ultimately become the crowd (more…)

So there we were. Five against 5000. A freezing cold Friday night in Maritzburg. (more…)

We had a meeting on Saturday. It was scheduled for 8am. Yes, yes, I know, that’s not very rock ‘n roll. I even baked muffins. Seriously. Burnt them a bit, but insisted that on principle the rest of the band eat them. They politely, if uncomfortably, consumed my first attempt at chocolate muffins.

By 8.40am, we’re ready to begin. In attendance are Rudi, Roberto, Rachel Grace and yours truly. Apologies from Tam, who has work commitments, while Jon, we assume, is still slumbering in CT. (more…)

Hey kids… it’s that time of the year again. Time to caption your funnies.

If you don’t know how it works, it’s simple: look at the pic, think of something funny, post it in the comment box below.

Life is short. Laughs are few. Share your funnies. (more…)

Recording more bits and pieces… piano, keyboard, guitars, vocals…

Ryan and Rudi still sloggin away, recording drums.