DRESSED TO KILT: Speaking with Leading Senior Constable David McNamara

By Senior Musician Simon Deppeler

This month, our interview subject is Leading Senior Constable David McNamara of the Victoria Police Pipe Band. His early pioneering work in assisting the Pipe band become established professionally in the early 1970's helped to lay the groundwork for the great successes the band has enjoyed ever since.

These days, David's duties in the Victoria Police Pipe Band consist playing the bagpipes, administration, and supervising and mentoring junior members.

EARLY DAYS

Growing up in country Victoria, David started piano lessons at age 7 but within a year and a half, like many children, had lost interest. Another instrument was soon to capture his imagination. 

Family life often influences later life choices. David's father, who started his own Police career when David was just three, was one such influence.  His fathers’ career began in 1956 and he retired in 1985 as Officer-in-Charge of Portland Police Station, Victoria.

David's family life also included exposure to pipe music at home parties for fellow Police workmates families, put on by his parents. Exposure to Policing with its service to the community aspect as well as pipe music resulted in a natural attraction.

POLICE DUTIES

David joined Victoria Police on February 3, 1970 with 130 other brand new cadets. One week after joining up, he began bagpipe lessons with the Police Pipe Band under the tuition of Pipe Major Rodger Reid. Ten months later David performed in his first parade with 30 other Police musicians! During this era the band was a part-time job, playing together only one day a week as all the members were operational police. 

A young David (Rodger Reid in the background, top left)

In December 1980, David became the Pipe Major of the Victoria Police Pipe Band for seven years. His goal being to build the band up to Grade 1 rating. During this time he too, was a full-time operational policeman with Victoria Police at St Kilda TOG.    (Traffic Operations Group)

The Pipe Band eventually went full-time in 1988 and that year as a taste of things to come, went to Scotland for the first time and placed 3rd in their Grade 2 division of the World Championships. The Police Pipe Band had always been involved in competitions from 1938, but this was the first notable win in their modern era. 

David has been in the Police Bands now for 42 years and has seen his duties change dramatically over the years. What started as a typical Police career flowed onto initially, a part time and then full-time bagpiper role. David's duties now include using his world-class piping skills as a fully acknowledged form of Public Relations for Victoria Police. Apart from performing at all Police formal functions, such as Graduation parades, street marches, corporate events and Police related funerals, the band also perform at up to 100 concerts annually in schools delivering ‘police safety’ and 'good life choices' messages to school children. While doing this they often join forces with either the Police rock band Code One or Showband. 

I caught up with David on a recent rehearsal day at the Victoria Police Band Centre in Melbourne.

David, why did you start playing bagpipes?

Well, growing up in rural Victoria, I was always around pipe music and the Police force because of close family connections from when I was three. Transitioning into both worlds felt natural, as both were familiar to me. 

Could you tell us about some unforgettable moments in your career?

I have been very fortunate in my career with many memorable highlights…

When I was 22, I was honoured to perform at my first Edinburgh Tattoo in 1975.  (David has since done it six times.)

During 1984, in Hobart, the Victoria Police Pipe Band became the Australian Champions Grade three. On that occasion I was Pipe Major. That one is a personal highlight for me. 

 

Fourteen years later, on August 15, 1998 the band would eventually win the World Championship Grade 1.

More recently in 2009 we were part of a massed pipe band of 100 pipers and drummers at a Melbourne stadium performance with the world famous Dutch violin sensation Andre Rieu. We played to a hometown audience exceeding 50,000 people!  For us, however, the after party turned out to be even better than the actual concert, when we gave all the cast members, orchestral musicians and Andre Rieu himself a 25 minute private floorshow performance that brought the house down.
 

Do you still practice? What do you practice?

I diligently practice at least 45 minutes a day. Included in that would be many new tunes which I constantly source. I have also done some composing and the band has featured some of my tunes from time to time.

The best thing about being in the Police Pipe band?

As corny as this will sound, for me it's all about the pleasure you can bring to people. Of course no one seems to be able to resist a kilt, it must be our secret weapon!

The worst thing about my job?

Without a doubt, playing funerals. Over the years I have done literally 100's of them. Being the State Band of Victoria means the Pipe Band performs at all the formal and vice-regal events. I have done funerals for State Premiers (Rupert Hamer), Police public servants, retired ex-Police members, and of course serving Police members killed on duty (Angela Taylor, Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre)

Which famous musicians have had a strong influence on you?

The Scottish Pipe Major, Donald MacLeod from the British Army. He was a superb musician in all respects. His heyday would have been the 1930's to 50's.   Also Pipe Major Gavin Stoddart, the senior Pipe Major of the British Army and of Edinburgh Castle fame. Also Stuart Samson. These were all outstanding musicians and they all had a profound effect on my musical education.

Why do you play?

Two reasons, the sheer enjoyment plus the physical and mental challenge. Bagpipes are a particularly difficult instrument and all our music has to be memorized. So those two things are always keeping me sharp.

What music are you listening to lately?

I have a broad taste in music but I'm not usually listening to pipe music these days. However I am a big fan of traditional folk music by Breton singer Denez Prigent, Australian movie composer Lisa Gerrard, Irish singer Lorenna McKennett and Vangelis.

What would you be doing if you weren't a musician?

Well I've been around Pipe band music virtually my whole life and it's what I am, so I guess there's no answer to that one.  

David at the Victoria Police Memorial, St Kilda Road.

Desert island time! What would you take on your iPod?

Loreena McKennitt, the Irish band, Clannad, Moya Brennan, Lisa Gerrard, German film composer Hans Zimmer, and the band Afro Celt Sound System.

The last album you bought?

Lisa Gerrard

The best concert you ever saw?

Celtic Thunder just recently here in Australia. 

Your favourite sound?

I love the sound of Uilleann pipes and at the other extreme, the Australian didgeridoo, a sound I find haunting.

What's your best advice to any one wanting to successfully pursue a musical career?

Nothing beats regular, diligent hard work. There are no shortcuts. In a word - practice!

I'm always being asked...

You know the answer to that one! The eternal "what's worn under your kilt" question. People never tire of asking...and I never tire of replying..."it must always remain an enigma!"

I wish I could play...

...better than I do.

Try as he may to be self effacing, David McNamara is no slouch on the pipes as can also be evidenced by his 'other' band, The Rats of Tobruk Memorial Pipes & Drums.

Joining in 2003 as a pipe tutor, David now leads this much in demand group and together, have travelled the world. 

 

The ‘Rats’ are an Australian run band formed in 1961 in Melbourne, Victoria. The original idea was originally mooted by The Rats of Tobruk Association, to rather than having a commemorative stone monument, to form a living, breathing memorial, embodied as a Pipe Band.

Their website is www.rotmpd.org.au.

At Tripoli between the French Foreign Legion and German Bundeswehr bands

David with Pakistani bandsman at Tripoli September 2009

The band currently consists 37 members with ages ranging from 12 to 92! The 92 year old, is a piper and Drum Major and is an actual original Rat of Tobruk who took part in the historic siege of Tobruk in North Africa, the infamous 242 day confrontation during WW2.

The ‘Rats’ have their own distinct uniform and have garnered an international reputation having performed on four different continents around the world including the Edinburgh Military Tattoos in 1988, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2008 - 2010 Sydney, 2012 

The group are off again to play at the Edinburgh Tattoo again this year (2012) where they have a standing invitation to play whenever they can make it. This upcoming trip will be their 8th visit!

In 2007, they were invited to play at the Inaugural Kremlin Zoria (Russian for Tattoo) in Red Square in Moscow.

 

The Basel Tattoo in Switzerland in 2010 has been another highlight for David and his Pipe Band (due to do a return performance in 2014)

David McNamara has had an international career in Piping for over 40 years.  He has reached world-class status and is acknowledged as an expert tutor and Pipe Major.  Victoria Police is proud to have someone of this calibre in their ranks.

CDs

The Victoria Police Pipe Band has recorded many albums and they are available to purchase online at the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation website. www.remember.org.au/ under the ‘Merchandise’ tab.

Also featured on this site are CDs by the other two Victoria Police bands, the Showband and Code One rock band. 

You're Not Real Police, Are You?

 Mention the words Police Band and you’ll probably think of an old marching band tramping down the street playing out of tune trumpets and squeaky clarinets whilst marching badly.

Victoria Police Band 1924

This may have described the Police band of 1891 when it all started but the Victoria Police bands of today have their feet firmly planted in the 21st Century.  In fact, they do still march but it is only a part of their function.  Most days their duty consists proactive Public Relations for Victoria Police.  To get their message across, the Victoria Police Bands now use electric guitars and the latest computer technology as well as those traditional trumpets, saxophones even bagpipes!

The Bands actually comprise three bands:

• The Pipe Band is a traditional Scottish Bagpipe Band consisting 10 pipers and 5 drummers. It performs various functions from traditional marching in parades and formal events to stationary concert performances at police, community and corporate events. Everything from Police graduation parades, ceremonies and funerals, to large community public events such as the famous Anzac Day Parade, Moomba Parade and the Melbourne Cup Parade of Champions. The Pipe Band also delivers school programs, which provide a musical performance with key awareness and safety messages to young children.

Victoria Police Pipe Band piper, Ian.

• The Showband - a 25 piece ‘big band’ fronted by two female vocalists. This presents authentic performances of songs from the 1940’s Big Band Era right through to current Top 40. Audiences can expect anything from jazz, swing, rock n’ roll, musical theatre, current pop music even light operatic favourites. Impressive instrumental features show off the band’s virtuoso soloists. 

The Showband

• Small in size but big in impact, the Force’s newest tradition of 23 years is Code One, a 7 member, pop cover band consisting singers, guitarists, keyboards, drums and music technology. Code One performs all styles of pop music and specializes in the very latest Top 40.  Everything from Adele to Jason Mraz, Katy Perry to Carly Rae Jepsen, Guy Sebastian to Rihanna.  Code One was formed to primarily target the young and young at heart.

Code One on stage

But why would you have bands in a modern Police force?  Isn’t policing about catching the bad guys and enforcing the law?  After all re-active policing is an essential service.  Of course it is, no one could argue it isn’t but pro-active policing has just as crucial a role to play.  Some see it as tougher versus smarter. In fact, it’s not a competition at all, as they are both fundamental to effective policing. 

Now even though the average Police Constable’s responsibilities include pro-active elements, the Bands are PR specialists and excel in this area.  Daily, they interface with the community to change attitudes and correct false perceptions about police men and women.  This experiential marketing connects the public with the Police in a startling but personable and memorable way. It’s actually the ultimate ‘high concept’ or ‘high touch’ pro-active Police experience.  Music’s ability to speak all languages serves as a natural stepping stone to building better relationships with all people. In short, it really does work.

By performing, in uniform, the bands are actually presenting Police presence in a very unexpected but positive context. 

The bands have collected hundreds of stories about the positive effect the bands are having:

• A noted Melbourne radio personality launched an attack on the existence of the Police Bands.  He was subsequently swamped with irate listeners jumping to the bands’ defence citing the good they do everyday.

• Recently, Code One the rock band performed at a TAFE college. In the audience was a teen that had many family members who’d served time in jail for various offences.  Regardless, he enjoyed the band immensely and didn’t stop dancing the entire show.

Victoria Police - Force Command is well aware of the power of music and has used it as an effective Public Relations tool for years. Not only clever but a masterstroke!  It is certainly no accident that every band performance is a success.  The appropriate band is matched for the particular audience being targeted.  For instance, typically, the Pipe Band plays at formal engagements as they are the official State band.  The Showband often plays to adult attended events, while Code One often targets youth at schools.

In the ‘real’ world however each of the three bands regularly cross over into each other’s territory.  Imagine for a moment Code One playing ACDC’s ‘Long Way to the Top’ or John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice’ with the Police Pipe band in a shopping mall or the Showband playing opera or even the Pipe band playing ‘Bob the Builder’ to Primary school children.  These scenarios happen every week, as each band must be not only adaptable but relevant to any audience type.

The bands currently consist 46 playing musicians plus support staff.  Within the bands there exists an amazing array of talent.  Musicians of the highest calibre with far-reaching experience are able to provide literally any musical request.  That’s all quite a boast isn’t it? But not if you can back it up! 

Band members’ professional backgrounds include:

• TV performers and musical directors
• Movie soundtrack composers
• World champion bagpipers and drummers
• Music technology specialists
• TV and radio session musicians and singers
• Recording artists
• Symphony orchestra musicians
• Gifted jazz, rock and blues musicians and
• Singers that can authentically replicate pop to opera. 

In fact the Victoria Police Bands are well known in the Australian music industry and there is always hot competition for positions in the bands as they become available.  A recent female vocalist vacancy in the rock band was whittled down from 18 contenders. 

Between them, the three Police bands have backed and supported quite a few household entertainment names you may find familiar:

• Lisa McCune (Sea Patrol, Blue Heelers) 
• Colleen Hewitt (Wind Beneath My Wings, The Boy From Oz)
• Jon English (Pirates of Penzance, Jesus Christ Superstar)
• Denise Drysdale (Australian TV)
• Lisa Edwards (John Farnham Band)
• Andre Rieu (Dutch violin sensation)
• Tanya Doko (Bachelor Girl)
• Jack Jones (Southern Sons)
• Cotton, Keays and Morris (pop icons)
• Vika and Linda
• Tommy Emmanuel (Australian guitar legend)
• Daryl Braithwaite (Sherbet)
• Skyhooks (pop icons)
• Kate Ceberano (Australian singer)
• Debra Byrne (Australian entertainer)
• Angry Anderson (Australian icon)
• Humphrey B Bear (Australian TV star)

Every Chief Commissioner has given the Police bands unwavering support.

And why not?  It works! Thousands of fan mail letters and emails over the years are a testament to the effectiveness and popularity of the bands.

The Police Bands characterize many typical Victoria Police values such as professionalism, innovation and relevance.  But it’s not just all about the music.  The performance is actually the ‘honey to the bee’. At many shows the bands deliver various Police and safety messages.

But playing in uniform? Sounds a bit daggy doesn’t it?  Well in fact there’s no point, unless members are in full uniform. All too often “service” bands rely heavily on the novelty of playing in uniform. After all, it’s not a common sight and this aspect does animate audiences BUT said ‘act’ then has to actually hold that same crowd! Fortunately, the three Victoria Police Bands have their job down to a fine art!

The Showband, Pipeband and Code One never fail to attract and keep their audiences.  In fact, some of the most commonly asked questions of band members after a performance include “You’re not real police are you? You sound too good!” or “You were miming weren’t you?”

In fact, all band members ARE sworn Police members and their ‘full-time’ duty is proactive policing and no they’re not miming.

As an example of some of their work productivity, let’s examine some statistics:  
In 2011, the 3 bands
• travelled 70,276 kilometres around the state 
• performed 401 concerts
• directly engaged 651,660 members of the community (not counting TV)
• Performances were in metro and rural areas and covered all demographics

It has been generally accepted that Victoria Police can never have enough Police “on the ground”.  The solution lies in working hand in hand with communities. This requires Police offering an approachable and accessible manner to the public so that people are comfortable approaching Police members. The bands are one of the key elements of this goal.  

Google Victoria Police Bands.

Simon Deppeler
Senior Musician

Larry Kean - "Sparks Flying"

By Simon Deppeler

In a big band, every different section (group of instruments) has their own particular role. The rhythm section for example, is often thought of as the engine room or driving force of the band. Of course, every engine needs spark plugs to keep things going and in the case of the Victoria Police Showband, the igniting spark is provided by drummer Larry Kean. Joining the band in ’91, Larry immediately became a crowd favorite with his energetic style.

Always giving 110% to every performance, Larry propels the band with energy and excitement. Also singing lead vocals - a talent he knew he always had from his early days when he sang backup before graduating to lead…this musician always makes an impression with audiences.

But of course he had to start at the beginning like all musicians. At age 11, Larry was exposed to the drummer bio-movie, The Gene Krupa Story and it lit a fire. During his early childhood, Larry recalls music always resonated with him.

“At home, Dad was always playing saxophone, clarinet and piano. At age 14, I began my serious study of the drum kit with Powell Baker, the percussionist from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra”.

While still at school Larry played in Shadows and Ventures ‘cover’ bands and these were an early learning experience. At 16, there were lessons with Billy Hyde (yes, that Billy Hyde) for 2 years, which prepared him for advanced study with Australian drumming legend Graham Morgan.  After completing school, Larry found himself playing all styles of music including Jazz and Pop but especially R & B and Soul music.

Backing well-known performers of the time, fond memories include touring with Welsh singer/entertainer Harry Secombe and also The Edgley Touring Company playing in theatres and Circus shows.

“Two 3-month tours with Edgley really tested my ability and endurance. Circus gigs especially are a real discipline. They’re all about non-stop playing and we would do three 2.5 hour shows daily for three months at a time.”

Larry Kean has played in almost every playing situation imaginable – a true working musician…all live playing, including casino work, nightclubs (Whiskey a Go-Go) and TV (playing the legendary Channel 7 show Sunnyside Up as a regular dep) backing artists such as:

Normie Rowe – 60’s Australian pop legend
Sam & Dave – early American soul and R&B duo
Bobby & Laurie – 60’s Australian singing duo
Marcie Jones - Marcie Jones & the Cookies ‘60s girl group in Australia’s “mod” music scene
Ian Turpie - Australian TV personality
Ron Lees - Australia's Greatest "Italian" tenor
Syd Heylen - Australian actor, comedian, and variety performer
Maurie Fields - Australian actor, vaudeville performer and stand-up comedian
Denise (Ding-Dong) Drysdale - Australian TV personality and comedian
Barry Crocker - Australian singer, actor
Daryl Somers - Australian television personality
Ricky May – Maori Vocalist, musician, variety entertainer
Tony Pantano – Entertainer/singer
Tony Paris - Cabaret entertainer
Lovelace Watkins - Las Vegas-based singer and performer
Colleen Hewitt - Australian actress and popular singer
John Farnham - English-born Australian pop singer
Kate Ceberano – Australian singer
Michael ‘Banjo’ Young - banjo player, entertainer
Smacka Fitzgibbon – Australian entertainer
O.C.Smith – American singer, musician
Frankie Laine - American singer, songwriter, and actor
Al Martino - American singer, actor
Warren Mitchell - English actor
The Drifters - American doo-wop and R&B/soul vocal group
Nancy Wilson – American actress, entertainer, song stylist
Alma Cogan - English singer of traditional pop music ‘50’s and ‘60’s
Billy Eckstine - American singer and bandleader of the swing era
Tina Arena – Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress
Karen Knowles - Australian singer and entertainer
Maria Mercedes - Australian actress
Maria Venuti - Australian actress and singer
Delilah – American singer, entertainer
John Rowles – New Zealand singer 70’s and 80’s

As most of his friends would attest, you can’t mention Larry without also including Buddy Rich who has been one of Larry’s big inspirations. Of course other drummers on that list would include: Irv Cottler (Frank Sinatra’s favourite drummer),
Alvin Stoller (Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra),
Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck),
Philly Joe Jones (Miles Davis, Bill Evans),
Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin, James Brown, B.B. King, Steely Dan),
Rufus Jones (Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, James Brown) and
Harold Jones (Count Basie, Natalie Cole, B.B. King, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Harry James Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Joe Williams, John Lee Hooker).

Most musicians teach at some point in their career and Larry’s teaching stints have included numerous private students and regular gigs at some of the Melbourne’s top private schools. (Xavier College and Kingswood College)

I recently cornered Larry and asked him about his successful career:

Why did you join the police bands? 

To keep playing for a living…also the band had great people and I could see enormous potential there.

Memorable moments in your career?                                                  

Playing with John Farnham a few times in his early days and also Ricky May who was sensational.

Embarrassing moments on stage?                                                                 

I was packing up on stage after a gig and horsing around when the bass player suddenly slapped me on the back. I tripped and went flying three feet off the stage into the auditorium much to the delight of everyone else! Another time on the way to a gig with Winifred Atwell I got my directions mixed up and went to the wrong city! No I didn’t make the gig.

Do you still practice? How much?                                                                  

I put in at least 1.5 hours every day to stay sharp. I practise exercises for stick control and general independence. I still work on all the David Garibaldi stuff (Tower of Power) and speed from single stroke rolls.

I’m always being asked…

Can I have a go of your drums!

I wish I could play….

Trumpet or piano.

Musicians you admire?                                                                               

Well all of the musicians I admire are because of their musicality and taste.

Dave Weckl (drummer) is a stand out for me, Chuck Mangione (fluegelhorn), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), I love trumpet players… the Brecker Brothers (trumpet and tenor saxophone), Bernard Purdie (drummer), Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday (jazz singers), Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra. They’re all on my long list.

Why do you play music?                                                                                  

I love it.

There are countless musicians in the world that would love to make their living from it…why have you succeeded?

Devotion, determination and I love it.

What are you listening to lately?                                                                   

In the car, I’m playing Aretha Franklin Live At Fillmore West. Mainly because of that rhythm section - organist Billy Preston, the great jazz/R&B drummer Bernard Purdie, (he’s the drummer who set it all up for all the soul and funk drummers today, as far as I’m concerned), guitarist Cornell Dupree and bassist Jerry Jemmott. Of course it doesn’t hurt having sax wizard King Curtis and Ray Charles along for the ride.

What would you be doing if you weren't a musician?                                    

I think I’d be a carpenter working with wood somehow.

Your "dream band?"

I'm fairly much a traditionalist so let’s say…Oscar, (Peterson) on piano, Ray Brown on bass, Herb Ellis on guitar, Phil Woods on alto sax, let’s throw in Tom Scott on tenor, Sarah Vaughan on vocals and me on drums of course!

What is it about the drums that attracted you?

The rhythm, the dexterity and showmanship of other drummers appealed to me, the way you can catch the phrases of other instruments to heighten their impact musically. These were some of the different aspects that got my attention.

Favourite album of all time?

The classic ‘Swingin New Big Band’ by Buddy Rich.

Last album you bought?

Aretha Franklin Live At Fillmore West.

The best concert you ever saw?

That’s a tough one, I’d say it’s a toss up between Duke Ellington’s band and Stevie Wonder.

Your favourite sound?

The sound of winding pasta onto a fork.

What's the magic formula for success as a musician?

Play the situation you’re playing in…in other words, play what’s right for the gig and the song.

The best thing about being in the Police Band is…                                   

…the job security plus by playing in the Police Showband I get to play bigband music, which I love.

What was the best advice on pursuing a career in music you were ever given?

Be honest, and never sit back and wait for the calls.

Victoria Police Showband drummer Larry Kean is sponsored by PEARL and ZILDJIAN.