CODE ONE

A Rock Band in a Police Force?

By Senior Musician Simon Deppeler

Most rock bands have a fleeting lifespan. If all goes well, a successful band might play ‘live’ for up to five years. The Australian, Victoria Police rock band CODE ONE, have recently notched up their 23rd year of live playing. Band members have changed over the years but the mission has not. That being Police Public Relations to the general public delivered in an unusual and memorable style.

CODE ONE is the only full-time government sponsored Police rock band in the world. They represent Victoria Police and are one of three full time bands that engage the general public for Victoria Police in Australia.

The latest CODE ONE album

All members are sworn police and it is their full-time duty.

In 1989, the band was initially created by ‘borrowing’ members from the Police ‘Concert” band. A need had been identified for a Police band that would resonate with younger audiences. Initially the band consisted of a rhythm section (guitar, bass, keyboards and drums), a brass section (trumpet, trombone, French horn and saxes) and three singer/entertainers.

The original CODE ONE band 1989

Early promotional photos

Past members

CODE ONE with their part-time guitarist Constable T-Bear

CODE ONE 2013

L-R Andrew Murray – Music director/keyboard/sequencing,  Rick Varlet – Guitar/lead vocals/sequencing,  Lorena Novoa – Lead vocals,  Richard Bennett – Drums/vocals,  Simon Deppeler – Bass guitar,  Brian Carbery – Lead vocals/bagpipes, Jason Bond – Sound engineer/sequencing (not pictured)

Daily, CODE ONE is out in public, playing their music to every imaginable audience demographic. In case they miss anyone out, CODE ONE also perform songs in Italian, French, Hebrew, Spanish and Korean!

The band has performed just about every type of gig there is:

• Secondary colleges
• Shopping Malls (where offenders are an ongoing issue)
• University Open Days
• Charity dinner dances
• Primary schools
• Night markets
• Community festivals
• Neighbourhood Watch events
• Youth Forum conferences promoting good life choices
• Support act for headlining rock bands
• Senior citizens events
• Hospitals
• Immigration Detention centres
• Welcome days at Werribee Zoo for new immigrants

Many of these engagements are organised by local Victoria Police members and CODE ONE regularly support these grass roots initiatives.

So by now you know the band plays pop music in public. So how is that policing? Maybe you think the band plays songs and interjects police ‘messages’ during the show?

The answer is, sometimes.

Primary school children drink in the Police ‘messages’, as opposed to a Secondary School audience where teenagers would normally just mentally turn off to any presented ‘information’.

Much of the benefit is about changing people’s minds about the Police, in an understated and subtle way. Anyone who has experienced a CODE ONE performance has interacted with Victoria Police members in a totally friendly, non-confrontational way.

Whether they were:

• An alienated high school kid with an attitude

• Bewildered and confused immigrants who still fear Police because of experiences in their homelands

• Aussie battlers in one of the shopping malls or

• A Primary School child who hasn’t yet formed any opinions about Police

...they have all experienced a subtle change in their mindset.

Teenagers can be one of the harder audiences to win over. It can take up to the very last song of a CODE ONE concert to break the ice and get them all up dancing. The message for teenagers is inconspicuous and simple. A great time can be had without the use of substances in a natural, normal environment. The punch line being, they did it with Victoria Police members!

All of these different interactions between Police and public in easy, friendly environments create an open relaxed line of communication in the Community and make everyone’s life better.

...and if you’re wondering if this enlightened, pro-active approach is successful, read some of the comments from delighted customers about the most requested Police band in Australia. 

Wow! Last night I went to the Queen Victoria Night Market with a friend and came across the main stage with CODE ONE performing. My friend and I simply looked at each other and said WOW! These guys are great! We actually waited the two hours for you to come back on to do your second set because we loved it so much. Your band is fantastic, and I can simply not stop raving about it today even at work. I have placed all the videos I took from last night in a folder and am making as many people see them as possible!
Lorena, Brian and team, all I can say is you're fantastic!!! You brought together a group of people of all different ages and nationalities and got them to dance and sing together!!!
Thankyou for making the best night in a long time.

Jodie

“On behalf of the community of Traralgon, I would like to sincerely thank Code One. We have received incredible feedback...this day does symbolise part of our journey to recovery through reuniting, rebuilding and regenerating after the bushfires...it was great to see so many of our young people up ... singing along, smiling and laughing.”

Peter / Traralgon

“Once again, Code One put on a superb performance at the opening of the Police Station. I was worried as most people left the performance area to do a ‘walk-through’ the Police Station... suddenly from out of nowhere people from the Footscray Adult Migrant Educational Services appeared. By the end of your performance, we had a large group of Sudanese women dancing in the streets outside the Police Station! This was the highlight of the day!

My previous memory of Sudanese people outside the Police station in a large group, was when we had a rally four years ago. Things certainly have changed since that time! The part I liked was that they went off (with their tribal dancing) to your version of the AC/DC song “It’s a Long Way To The Top”. The response has been amazing!”

Leading Senior Constable Craig Spicer / Community Liaison Officer / Footscray Police

“I am writing to commend the work of the Code One Police Rock Band, for their vibrant, fun performance, ability and for the wonderful positive Police image they portray. Our agency provides respite and recreation services to families who have a child or a young person with a disability. We have been impressed by the band’s ability to engage with our clients with a disability and it has been wonderful to see the joy and pleasure it gives not only to our clients, but to the parents who love to see their sons and daughters enjoying themselves. Music is a universal communicator and a wonderful vehicle for promoting and building community connectedness”

Gaye / Broadmeadows

“Dear Code One. You are one of the best bands I have ever heard. I liked ‘American Idiot’, ‘Forever Young’, ‘Rogue Traders’, ‘Black Eyed Peas’, and Pink. You guys are so cool for a Police Band. Thank you for coming to our school.” 

Chris aged 11

“Dear Code One. I had a marvelous time, I really enjoyed it. I still remember, you said wear your bike helmet and wear your seat belt and if something really urgent happens, ring 000. I’ll never forget them because I always wear my helmet and always wear my seatbelt. That was the best day ever!” 

Rachel aged 9

“Dear Code One. I loved your songs. I think you’re the best band I’ve seen in my life!” 

Raffaele aged 10

“Hi Code One. I would just like to say thank you for coming. My favourite song was Pink (Who Knew). You did a lot of work on a very hot boiling day. You really have great voices; you should go on Australian Idol!” 

Sabina aged 7

“Code One is simply amazing!!” 

Emoke / Docklands

“Thank you so much to the Code One Police Band for performing at Altona Green Primary School. What a fantastic performance, that was described by some of the children as ‘the best day they have ever had at school’.”

Karen / Altona (teacher)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Code One Victoria Police band, on behalf of the whole school community for your amazing performance in front of our school. All of the children were buzzing after the performance and I know that this performance has changed the perception of Policemen and Policewomen in the eyes of many children in our school. The two recipients of the Code One Police Band ‘Achievement Award’ were so excited.

I think you made their year! One of the girls even slept with her award and spent the rest of the week with the hat on her head and the medal around her neck. I hope this is just the beginning of a wonderful partnership between our school, our local police and the Code One Police Band.”

Sarah / Berwick

“What a fantastic performance by Code One. They were so vibrant and full of energy, a top class professional act. Keep up the amazing work and keep rockin’. One of many great memories we are taking home with us.”

Tara and David – visitors from Ireland and England

CD's

CODE ONE has recorded many albums and two of them are available to purchase online at the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation website under the 'Merchandise' tab. 
Also available are CD's by the other two Police bands, the Showband and the Pipe Band.

Bush Banker Claims Interest in Bagpipes

By Senior Musician Simon Deppeler

Alan Leggett – Piper

Early beginnings

For Alan Leggett, growing up in the 1950's in rural Swan Hill, Australia, life was simple.  Days were filled with fishing, swimming, roller skating, riding bikes, golf, football and the bagpipes. Wait a minute... bagpipes?  For this 12 year old, learning the pipes was simply something else to do. Little did he realize the adventure ahead. 

Pipes were a natural attraction for Allan, whose Scottish Grandmother, influenced this interest.

During his childhood, Alan and his Dad made a special trip to Ballarat to see the famous Scottish Black Watch Pipe Band who were touring Australia at the time. As the Scots marched down the street in all their finery, a vivid boyhood memory was etched for all time.

As a lad, Alan started learning bagpipe basics with the Swan Hill & District Highland Pipe Band. He learned off different teachers from within the band. One was a fruit farmer, another a wheat cocky.

Soon to come was delving into other styles of music that would stay with him. A love of the 50's and 60's hit parade, trad jazz, blues and rock n' roll.

"We bagged the Australian Championships when I was 23"

Upon moving to Melbourne in 1965 Alan auditioned and was asked to join the highly successful Hawthorn City Pipe Band (the best pipe band in Melbourne at the time) and remained with them for 22 years until 1987. This band won 15 consecutive State championships at this time.  They also bagged the Australian Championships for the first time in 1970 when Alan was 23.

Alan credits his time with the Hawthorn City Pipe Band as being responsible for refining his technique and developing finesse in his playing. During the seventies he won various solo awards in Australia and New Zealand and came to hold the Intermediate Piping Certificate.

...by the age of 29 he'd reached the top...

But of course pipers have to eat and so for a career, Alan had joined the CBA (Commercial Bank of Australia) and worked his way up through the ranks. This included a three-year stint traveling throughout Australia (six weeks at a time) as an internal bank auditor.  Incredibly, by the age of 29 he'd reached the top and was a branch Bank Manager in Rosanna.

Not long after this, in 1988 synchronicity kicked in and Alan met Pipe Major Nat Russell who had been recruited from the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Scotland to head up the Victoria Police Pipe Band. During this period, Nat actually used to frequent Alan's gourmet sandwich shop, which he had started in 1988 after deciding to switch careers!

The Hawthorn band at this time was experiencing internal political upheaval and at least ten members had bailed. (Most of these were already honorary Victoria Police band members) In the same year Alan also became an honorary member of the Victoria Police Pipe Band before joining as a full time member a year later.

"...simply the result of a plan executed with drive and passion..."

The result of this synchronicity? Victoria Police inherited an instant competing band, which would culminate in the winning of the World Piping Championships in 1998. Destiny or simply the result of a plan executed with drive and passion? Both, actually.

I was determined to find out more as I sat down with Alan recently.

Alan, what was the first music you can remember hearing?

The music of Doris Day and Dean Martin.

Was your family particularly musical?

Not really, but my Scottish Grandmother influenced me greatly in taking up the pipes. I remember that even though she had migrated to Australia from Dundee at the tender age of 18, by the time she was 96 I still couldn't understand her!

What was the first tune you learnt?

Marie's Wedding

What was it about the bagpipes that attracted you?

I think it was the overall mystique - it was a totally different instrument to anything I'd ever come across.

Have you composed music?

Actually I have written a three-part 6/8 but I've never played it for anybody or printed it up but I do still have it so who knows...maybe one day.

What was your first instrument?

Well after flirting with harmonica, recorder, my Canora guitar and the clarinet (I was a huge Acker Bilk fan) Dad bought me an old set of Boys Brigade Lawrie bagpipes from an old farmer my Dad knew.  I still own them to this day and they still sound pretty good too!

Your current instrument?

Victoria Police equip us with Sinclair bagpipes with blackwood McCallum chanters.

What's the best thing about being in the Police band?

For my first ten years, the international travel and pipe band competitions (only four weeks a year) made it a great time for me. For the rest of the time, we used to do numerous country trips in rural Victoria, which would include things like all the major Agricultural Shows and especially the Australia Day celebration at Corowa. The genuine appreciation the Pipe band elicits from the general public has always made the job worthwhile to me.

The worst thing about being in the Police band?

It's really the flip side of my previous answer. Currently we have severe financial constraints and this has limited our rural work immensely.

Of all the CD 's the Pipe band has put out, which one are you most proud of?

"Victoria Police Pipe Band at Motherwell - The Masterblasters Concert" This album was all traditional but had elements of innovation. The band had many virtuosi and subsequently, the overall standard of playing was very high. It was recorded at the bands' zenith.

Tell us about practice. What do you practice these days?

To tell the truth I mainly practice our new tunes, mainly to keep up with all the nimble "young" fingers in the band! The current crop of Police Pipers is very talented.

How about some of your most memorable moments in your career?

Of course, the World Championships in '91 and '92 were the pinnacle. After the competition, in Portrush, all 30 competing bands marched down the streets to a wildly clapping and cheering crowd, ten deep on both sides of the road. That was unforgettable.

The band also did a really big concert with The Seekers at the Melbourne Concert Hall and the Andre Rieu concerts in Melbourne were memorable just because of the sheer size of the occasion.

Every year in St Kilda, here in Melbourne we are featured in the Gay Parade and always get a great response from the crowd.

In 1996 the band did a tour that took in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Denver in Colorado where we played at a place called Estes Park in the Rocky Mountains National Park. They hold a military tattoo and pipe competition there and take it very seriously!

Why have you been successful?

Well as I've said before, playing doesn't come easily to me so I've had to put in some super hard work and really dedicate myself to piping. Good luck has also played a factor.

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

I remember being told to start with piano as it gives you a solid musical grounding on which to build interest in other instruments and styles of music. I'd agree with that.

What music do you listen to these days?

Well to be honest, not a lot of pipe music these days but I do love modern, acid and traditional jazz, heavy metal, blues and rock 'n roll.

Artists like Jimi Hendrix, Modern Jazz Quartet, Average White Band, the Doors, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Jimi Vaughn and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Guitar Shorty, Poppa Chubby, Johnny Winter, Donovan, Walter Trout, Jimmy Thackery and Led Zeppelin. 

One of my favorites was the Dave Brubeck Quartet, especially their songs Take 5 and

The Unsquare Dance. But I have to admit my all time favorite group would have to be the Rolling Stones. I've seen them every time they've come out to Australia.

Favorite album of all time? You can only pick one!

I can't. My two top albums are Zeppelin 2 and the first Santana album called SANTANA

The last album you bought?

I actually don't recall, as these days I mostly download the individual tracks I like off the Internet.

The best concert you ever saw?

ACDC and also the Stones (5 times!)

What is required to play the bagpipes well?

Patience, hard work and of course it's always handy to have a natural aptitude which I never had as I always had to work and work for any progress I've made.

What is your favorite sound?

Good blues harp playing.

What's your best bagpiper joke?

What's the difference between a trampoline and a set of bagpipes?

You take off your hobnail boots before you jump on a trampoline!

Most embarrassing moment on stage?

A few years back, in the Police band, we had some new Ghillie Brogues lace-up shoes complete with 150 cm laces! It was the first time I'd worn them and I wasn't completely sure how to lace them up properly. Quite an art form in itself.  Halfway through the march that day, they came undone. To my horror I had to fall out of the march, do the repair and then sprint back red-faced, to rejoin the band which naturally, hadn't stopped.  I learnt how to lace them properly later that day!

Besides music, what inspires you?

Watching a pro golfer curve a shot perfectly.

Desert island time. What's going on your iPod?

All the artists I mentioned previously but you could also add in Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings,  the “Led Zeppelin 2” album, and the debut Santana album.

Finish these sentences...

I'm always being asked...

(by kids) why have you got a skirt?

I wish I could play...

a Gibson or Fender electric guitar.

 Has technology affected bagpipe music?  

Dramatically...and for the good! The new synthetic reeds and bags now make learning the pipes a whole lot easier as it is now a more reliable instrument. This is great for up and coming kids who are learning. Unfortunately this is a shrinking number because of the allure of computers and hi-tech games. At least the pipes are now not excruciatingly difficult to begin. Technology has helped with overall facility 10 fold.

Of course some people think there has been a trade off of a lesser sound quality for the technological advances. Personally, I think it would take an very sharp musical ear to tell the difference. The average person certainly couldn't tell the difference.

What's next for you?                                                                                                                               

I plan to retire next year and hope to become better acquainted with my other favorite instrument - the golf club.

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 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.  

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.