Q&A with Lionel Loves Vinyl’s Russell Hemming

Serge, Speedy, Merv, Nige and Hymie Vinyl are ready to rock!

POPULAR cover band Lionel Loves Vinyl has entertained crowds in South Gippsland and beyond for almost a
decade.
The group, consisting of lead singer Russell Hemming, lead guitarist Ricardo Ramos, rhythm guitarist Dennis Orr, bass player Stuart Quigley and drummer Mark McElhone, can often be found rocking the stage as their Vinyl alter egos Merv, Speedy, Nige, Serge and Hymie.
Having performed at pubs, clubs and balls in the past, building up a large fan base, Russell said the band is considering putting on a concert of their own in Leongatha later this year. He chatted to The Star about the band and how the Vinyl brothers first came to be.
How did Lionel Loves Vinyl first start?
The group started about seven or eight years ago. I wasn’t in the band then, but the guys thought it would be a great idea to call a band Lionel Loves Vinyl, dress up in 70s gear, wear wigs, and make a show out of it. The band has had a few different members in it; I left the band late last year and I’ve just gone back to it now.
Did all the band members have a musical background?
My background was more to do with local theatre. I was involved with Lyric Theatre for a long time and just always sang. The other guys, Dennis, who’s from Corinella, was signed to Mushroom Records in the 70s and he’s pretty cool – he’s played with some pretty big names. The drummer Mark is based in Inverloch and he is a bit the same; he’s played with some fairly big bands. The bass player Stuart lives in Drouin. He’s a Scottish guy. He used to play bass when he was over in Scotland and took it back up a few years ago when they started the band. And the lead guitarist Ricardo is fairly new to the group. He’s Mexican, so he’s got the nickname Speedy Vinyl.
Lionel Loves Vinyl plays songs from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and today; what music did you grow up listening to?
I was probably more into Aussie music. I’m a massive John Farnham fan; as a singer I always appreciate people’s voices. And I guess great Aussie bands like Cold Chisel and Noiseworks.
What was the first song you learnt?
When I joined the band we were doing some pretty average stuff like Turning Japanese. We tend to play all the pub rock songs that people come to expect and they know and want to dance to, like AC/DC’s Highway to Hell and Summer of ‘69 by Bryan Adams. We try and put a few new songs in too; we’ve just learnt Jebidiah’s new song She’s Like A Comet.
How long does it take you to learn a new song?
Not long at all actually. She’s Like A Comet was just an idea. We turned up to rehearsal and gave it a go and it all came together pretty quickly. We only rehearse about once every three months. We don’t tend to rehearse too much because we know all the songs and we’re a band that’s pretty tight. If we decide to learn a new song, we practice our own parts at home and it comes together really easily during a sound check before a gig.
What are some of the biggest concerts you’ve performed?
We did a massive gig for the great Victorian Bike Ride up in Ballarat. We travelled all the way up there so it was like Lionel Loves Vinyl on tour. That was massive. We had people crowd surfing and it was just huge; it was an unbelievable experience. We’ve also performed at the Grand Prix down at Phillip Island which was pretty big as well.
How often do you perform together?
We were playing nearly every weekend, but now we just do one or two gigs a month. We’ve got a big following over Wonthaggi way; we play at the Killy pub fairly regularly and at the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club. In Leongatha we perform at various balls. The band’s pretty well known around the area, but because we wear costumes, no one ever knows who we are. I was in a shop in Wonthaggi today and told a lady I was the singer for Lionel Loves Vinyl and she said she’s seen the band quite a few times but would never have even realised it was me. I’m kind of glad no one recognises me!
Do you always wear the same costumes?
We do try and mix it up a bit. I’m in the process of getting a new look at the moment, maybe a new wig and some new jeans. Sometimes I’ve gone and bought material to make a cool shirt. Dennis scouts op shops and comes out with some weird and wonderful outfits.
What do you enjoy most about playing in a group?
If you’ve got an awesome crowd, there’s no better feeling than being on stage when people are enjoying what you’re doing. There’s really no way to describe it.

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Posted by admin on Aug 30 2011. Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry