Folk band sings the praises of SA’s unsung heroes

Folk should be singing the feats of South Aussie heroes from the rooftops. And they will be if these Adelaide rockers have their way.

Bob Dylan immortalised Rubin Carter in The Hurricane. Redgum sang about our most famous bushranger in Poor Ned. Paul Kelly helped to ensure The Don’s legacy would span generations with Bradman.

But what about those lesser known feats? Like stoic leg-spinners staging heroic last-wicket stands to help South Australia claim a rare Sheffield Shield in 1996, or surviving savage shark attacks off Aldinga?

Fear not, Adelaide band Goldstein has it covered.

The folk-rock outfit is out to recognise SA’s battlers and legends through its UnSung Folk project.

So far Goldstein has penned songs about the aforementioned wily leg-spinner Peter McIntyre and shark attack survivor-turned-conservationist Rodney Fox, along with Findon Skid Kids founder Mick Harley and violin virtuoso and former Young South Australian of the year Niki Vasilakis.

McIntyre’s courage in the face of a fierce West Australian bowling onslaught seemed like the perfect choice for Goldstein’s latest track, Hold My Breath.

Adelaide folk-rock band Goldstein with cricketer Peter McIntyre. Picture: Supplied

“This is one of the most incredible sporting feats in SA’s history and Peter McIntyre was in the thick of it,” Goldstein singer songwriter Adam Hooper said.

“We are old enough to remember that game vividly, some of us were in the crowd, and we wanted to write a song that captures what happened over those five incredible days at Adelaide Oval.”

Hooper said Goldstein had long been interested in recognising our homegrown heroes.

“We’re interested in people who have made a unique impact on the state and whose stories may not be as well known to a wider audience or a new generation,” he said.

“Our first song was for Mick Harley (No Brakes, No Fear) which we were fortunate to play to him before he passed away. Mick, Rodney (Up From Below), Niki (Play My Part) and now Peter have all been amazing to work with.”

Hooper said it was a privilege, and a somewhat daunting challenge, to write a song about a living person.

“We want to be authentic and honest in our approach,” he said.

“Watching them listen back to your song for the first time is nerve-racking – you never know how they will react. We filmed these candid reactions and had everything from tears, laughter to nervous relief and quiet contemplation.”

Goldstein frontman Adam Hooper with Findon Skid Kids founder Mick Harley. Picture: Supplied

Goldstein is hoping to eventually release an entire album of unsung heroes, and the band is currently working on songs about Casey Treloar, the daughter of dairy farmers who helped bring the hardships faced by drought-stricken farmers to public attention, as well as a tune about multi-sport legend Jenny Williams.

Harley, who died in May last year, was “chuffed” to be chosen to be part of the UnSung project according to his daughter Tommy Clarke.

“Dad felt honoured and he really enjoyed the whole process,” Ms Clarke said.

“We played the song at his funeral, and then again in February at farewell drinks we had at the track.”

Harley, an English immigrant who felt that there wasn’t enough for young people to do in his neighbourhood, founded the Findon Skid Kids when he was just 15. It went on to international recognition, and continues to this day.

Adam Hooper with Rodney Fox. Picture: Supplied

For Fox, who was almost killed by a great white attack in 1963, and went on to be a conservationist and outspoken defender of sharks, having a song penned about him was an “interesting experience”.

“I guess it made me look at how other people might view your own life,” Mr Fox said.

“What they see as the highlights and the lowlights of your life, and even other people’s attitudes towards sharks.”

Vasilakis said she was moved to tears the first time she heard her song.

“I was initially really excited to have the fellas write a song about me but then I started to wonder what it would sound like as my vibe as a high classical musician is possibly the opposite of their true blue Aussie band style,” she said.

Goldstein frontman Adam Hooper with violin virtuoso Niki Vasilakis. Picture: Supplied

“When they revealed the song to me it actually made me cry because they somehow put into words the deepest part of my life’s purpose and matched it to music. It was a really special moment for me, and not only that – it’s actually a fantastic song.”

McIntyre said he’d probably cop a ribbing from his old teammates for becoming the subject of a song.

“It was 25 years ago, so I guess it’s time we won one again,” he laughed. “We sat down over a few beers and they asked me about the game and that final day, then showed me the final new session at Dizzy’s (Jason Gillespie) cricket centre. It was a lot of fun.”