Gene Maynard began his musical career in 1981, playing drums in his father's Jazz combo for 3 years. Taught by Milan Troha, Billy Hyde's Chief Drum Tutor, Gene's drumming influences include Trevor Morais, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Ronnie Tutt, Trilok Gurtu, Kenny Jones and Steve Gadd.
He has since furthered his eclectic experience with bands such as Bronko Billy, The Pool Players from Hell, The Trashcats, The Funnelwebs, The Pumping Piano Cats, Chariot, Tempest Moon, Sideways Down, The Swordsmen, Doug Dekroo & Lonesome Train, Lounge, The Family Dog, Blender, Paint, The Keith Armitage Band, Momentum, Sam Nardo & The Visible Souls, Firetribe, Groove Casino and The Apartments, The Nervous Wreckers, Cash on Delivery, Kentucky Moon and Jordan & The Original Six.
Gene also plays acoustic/electric guitar, electric bass, harmonica, piano and various African & Egyptian percussion. His involvement in such a melting pot of musical genres has inspired Gene to form his own band -GMB- and to compose and arrange his own material, anchoring himself in the diversity of Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Funk, Latin and Soul.
Gene has taken part in recording sessions and national tours for the 'Hell Bent on Rockin' EP with The Pumping Piano Cats featuring Doug Dekroo from the Legendary Dekroo Brothers; 'The Miracles EP' by Rose Langford featuring special guests Robin Gist & Lisa Schouw from Girl Overboard and Scott Saunders from DIG [Directions in Groove]; also the 'August EP' with Movida.
Recent recordings include 'The Dreamtime EP' with Lounge featuring his sister Jolene Marlo on lead vocals; The Apartments album 'Apart' featuring Peter Walsh, Dave Graney and Ken Gormly from The Cruel Sea. Another recording highlight was The Swordsmen's debut album 'Music is a Beautiful Lady', which showcased guitarist/singer/songwriter Ed Clayton-Jones [ formerly of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and The Wreckery ] as well as Steve Kilby from The Church and Rowland Howard of the Birthday Party. More recent recordings include the 'No Sale' E.P by Nardo, the 'Iraq Attack' single by Michael Hardwick, 'Black Heart' debut album by Carrick May and a forthcoming album by Dave Blennerhassett & The Long Night Band ...Gene has also played drums on soundtrack recordings for 3 independent Australian films 'Wired & Running', 'Way Out West' and 'Johnny Dangerous'...
Gene is also proud to have performed with The Pumping Piano Cats for the Australian premiere of 'Great Balls of Fire' and 'Cry Baby' at Hoyts Cinemas. He has also supported The Choirboys @ Sydney University; The Church @ The Metro with The Swordsmen; Skunkhour and Universe with Lounge. The 2002-2007 Tamworth Country Music & Wintersun festivals with Lonesome Train and 'Pig City' music festival with The Apartments supporting The Saints. Recently playing with The Nervous Wreckers and Lonesome Train @ The 2007 Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival in Narooma...and performing 'Jackson' live @ Channel 7 'The Morning Show' with 'Cash on Delivery'...
Gene is also honoured to have been appointed 'Vice President' of the committee board for the Association of Northern Beaches Original Performing Artists [A.N.B.O.P.A.] In this role, Gene is at the forefront of the music scene in his local area and regularly volunteers his time to represent and promote ANBOPA events...
Gene is also one of 3 band directors @ Seaforth Primary School, and has a dozen private drum students.
The following artists whom Gene has met have inspired and influenced him...Don Burrows, George Golla, Marianne Faithfull, Brian Auger, Ray Davies [ The Kinks ], Spencer Davis [ Spencer Davis Group ], Jose Feliciano, Jim McCarty & Chris Dreja [ The Yardbirds ], John Entwhistle [ The Who ], Roy Phillips [ The Peddlers ], Lux Interior & Poison Ivy [ The Cramps ], Pete Shelley & Steve Diggell [ The Buzzcocks ], Doug & Leo Dekroo, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Tina Arena, Ed Clayton-Jones, Mick Harvey, Howard Jones, Ben Folds Five, Robert Forster [ The Go-Betweens ], Ben Watt [ Everything But the Girl ]...
Rollin' with the Punches (Songwriters Live 15 Oct 08)Eyes of a Criminal (Songwriters Live 9 Aug 08)