Nude Band Rocks South East Queensland
On the 25th of April, 2009 a new Aussie Band with a difference was launched at the Cooroy Colony in South East Queensland. The Naked Drummer and the Baileys Road Band tell the story of what it is like to be a nudist / naturist, sometimes tongue in cheek, and always with a smile. The band has produced some thought provoking songs as well as toe-tapping hits specific to nudists, a nudist wedding song and even a song written from the perspective of a non-nude partner. The 11 track album, was released to the media showing that there is a lot more to Naturism than just skinny-dipping at the beach. The event was organised by the president of the nudist web forum Aussie Naturists, with the kind support and sponsorship of the ANF. As the first event of it's kind in Australia it was a huge success.
The event included a body-painting competition, with the support of professional body painter Jude Spence from Awesome Face Painting. Jude certainly had her work cut out for her with people lining up throughout the day to have their bodies transformed into some very creative art work. The competition culminated in a prize of two nights accommodation for a couple at Musavale Lodge in SE Queensland and one night at Extraordinary People's B & B in North Queensland. Of course, being ANZAC Day, we commemorated the ultimate sacrifice of our diggers in war who gave us the freedom to be who we are today. This includes the right to be nudists. On the day there was also a very carefully orchestrated sausage sizzle, as well as champagne and refreshments.
The CD launch was a huge success, with people commenting "This is the best nudist event I have ever attended, and I'll be the first to put my hand up for the next one".
Throughout the afternoon, the band played some of their songs from the CD to the delight of the people who attended, who were very vocal in expressing their appreciation as they danced and enjoyed themselves. The Naked Drummer & the Baileys Road Band consists of Richard (on drums), Tracey (rhythm guitar), Dennis (lead guitar) and Yvonne (bass guitar). Richard has been a keen nudist for approximately 17 years, embracing the lifestyle and all it has to offer. He and Dennis have been friends for almost as long and have played music together on and off over the years. During an “off” period where they had both got caught up in the busyness of life, they each realised that there was something missing and boredom was setting in. Music was the missing element and so they got back together, this time bringing in the girls to create more of a band feel.
So with Richard on drums, Tracey playing rhythm guitar, Dennis on lead guitar and Yvonne playing bass, they had a whole heap of fun playing music together in the ‘Band Room’ every Friday night. While they play mostly covers, they have come up with a few songs of their own. Richard, the only nudist of the group, wrote the song “I Got to be a Nudist” and Dennis wrote the music. They added this to their repertoire and got such good feedback about it from both nudists and non-nudists alike, that they decided to write more.
While Dennis, Yvonne and Tracey are not nudists, through Richard (who of course is the ‘Naked Drummer’), they have gained an understanding of what the lifestyle is all about, and have on occasion accompanied Richard to the Nudist Beach. Dennis and Yvonne even ventured bravely into getting their gear off for one of Richard’s Video clips for his song. Even though not nudists, they have found themselves defending the lifestyle to people, who through ignorance equate it with sex and generally have the wrong idea about it.
The band has found their songs communicate a better understanding of what the Nudist Lifestyle is all about, as well as providing a window of opportunity to explain it to people so they are better informed, we have been able to promote naturism in a very positive light.
CDs: The Naked Drummer and The Bailey’s Road Band
(2021 updates: Links to the CDs and the band have been removed as they are no longer active.)
