Musician's Mix-Tape: The Joe Kings

Name a song or band that reminds you of or that best sum up these times in your life.

Primary school: The Real Slim Shady – Eminem. Knowing all the words to this one is nothing more than a party trick these days. We moved to Canberra in 2000 and (as I found out later) while the rest of the country was about to get stuck into The Strokes and The White Stripes, the kids I was mixing with were concerned only with rap and nu-metal. If it had swearing in it, it was cool. I had to be pretty sneaky getting Eminem CDs into the house. Funnily enough, while most things you're into at the age of 11 get left behind, I still have a great love of this man's music… At least the stuff he was putting out then. I probably learned as much about writing lyrics from him as any other artist.

Teen years: Someone's In The Wolf – Queens Of The Stone Age. A huge band for me in high school but this song more than others brings back very distinct memories of goon bags, cigarettes and parks in Willetton.

First job: Calm Like A Bomb – Rage Against The Machine. Stocking shelves at IGA when I was 12. The owner got annoyed at me for trying to purchase naughty magazines all the time, so he gave me a job. Not related to the song at all but I remember this being on a mix I had in my discman all the time back then.

First gig: Finding Time – The Cartridges. My first band; we played at the Northam Tavern with The Novocaines in 2006, back when Gumby (Jay Watson – Tame Impala, Pond) was still the drummer. I've since dropped The Strokes obsession and they've put The Kinks back on the shelf too but I have fond memories of those gigs.

Most recent night out: Be Ready When I Say Go – Emperors. Spent three days in Sydney for the Song Summit, which was kind of like one big night out 'cause everyday a different Perth band would roll into town either on tour or for the APRA Awards. I assume Perth was empty that weekend.

Family Gatherings: You Send Me – Sam Cooke. Mum's 60th was the other day, Dad had the keyboard and the PA set up and all the muso's took turns doing songs toward the end of night. I got called up and we did this song together.

Your next show: Caroline – Timothy Nelson & The Infidels. One of many new tunes we have in store for our show at The Bakery with James Teague, The Empty Cup and Thee Gold Blooms.