Neil is in a band with his 77 year old grandad Ken - Ken and Neil McDonnell. Playing 50s and 60s rock and roll. They’ve already made three albums in their first two years. Ken is a tough creative lead and has a clear vision of how he wants audio, image etc. for the band. He is motivated to be productive while he ‘still has his faculties’. Ken gave Neil his first guitar when he was 10, and ever since they’ve been jamming at family gatherings. There is a band with a parrot singer called Hatebeak. Chat about ALL the Black Sabbath covers bands - Mac Sabbath, Bat Sabbath, Zakk Sabbath. The joy of playing music together and bonding with your family. Big up Card Trick Music. Ken loves sending ideas for songs over WhatsApp, he doesn’t stop thinking about music and lyrics. Ken does not eat Werther’s Original, he still has too much to do in his life. Neil also plays ice hockey, for Chelmsford Reapers, but is a very gentle soul. Ken is also a very chilled guy. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles chat. Batman chat. Will Ken and Neil ever play a gig? Probably not. Ken has mostly been playing music for himself his whole life, apart from one song at Butlins. Nick has a good story about Stephen Mulhern. We talk about Take That, Clacton Butlins, Chelmsford Spectacular, Eurovision, Pitbull. Creating a digital record of older generations, recording songs and stories to listen to in the future. Neil’s Mum is deaf, and he loves that she can feel the vibrations of bass when he plays. Adelle’s picture has been on Lorraine for the Trans Is Human campaign - we're not worthy!

Ken and Neil on Instagram
Ken and Neil on Spotify

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK