Loose Shoes

Paul and Mark met at Eyre High School in Whyalla and talked about forming a band. “Hooray for the Octopus” was the proposed band name; you would have to have watched Sesame Street in the eighties to understand why. Not playing any musical instruments at the time was not going to stand in their way. 10 years later their paths crossed again and by this time Paul was playing drums and Mark was playing a mean harmonica. After jamming with the boys up the road (the infamous Marshall Road sessions) they knew they wanted to form their own blues band. The search was on for a guitarist and bass player. Dennis was the brother of Mark’s apprentice’s brother’s friend. His mum drove him to the early jam sessions, as he was only 17. Why she was happy to leave her golden boy with the two older reprobates is anyone’s guess, she was obviously a good judge of character. The early jams were in Factory 52 in a Lilydale industrial estate and the Factory 52 Blues Band was born. Mark’s sister-in-law, Danielle, never one to take no for an answer, booked the band for her 21st and when advised that they couldn’t play without a bass player she made it her mission to find one. Several nightclub visits later a scrap of paper was produced with a phone number and Paul, Mark and Dennis’ lives were changed forever by the introduction of Owen to the band. It was decided that they needed a ‘real’ band name and after knocking back Owen’s original suggestion of Festering Iguana Penises (a classic Owen moment with many more to follow) they settled on Mark’s wife Michelle’s suggestion of Loose Shoes. It had been a much watched video years earlier (there wasn’t much else to do in Whyalla) and contained a skit called “Darktown After Dark” which involved a spoof blues song. Check it out here: It’s obvious why Loose Shoes was chosen from the chorus over the other options. Years later we actually discovered the motivation behind the comedy and you can read about it here under scandal: Butz makes an arse of himself (if you can be bothered). So, the first gig was in November of 1992 at the Surrey Park Cricket club (sorry for giving your age away Danielle). Approaching their 15th anniversary and through a combined lack of motivation and ambition the boys are still jamming on a Tuesday night (as laid down in Owen’s wedding vows) for their own pleasure (and to get out of the house). Memorable gigs have included Vanderhaaks 30th, the Mitre Tavern, the Olinda Hotel, the Olympic Hotel, the Blackburn South Cricket Club, the Whitehorse Tavern, the Cheltenham RSL, Lilydale Lake, Vicki's 50th, the Town Hall Hotel and several backyards and lounge rooms. Not much to show for 15 years but when you can hang out with your best mates and play music, especially your own, who gives a shit!