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Joel began playing guitar at the age of 14. When he was 16, he undertook a one-year exchange to Germany that
changed his life forever. Joel was lined up with a host family
that gave Joel a crash course in the wonders of the wonderful world
of music.
His host brothers Flo and Robin played drums and bass in their
band Lurpak, with friend Simon on vox and guitar. They asked Joel to
join on second guitar, an idea he initially jumped at as a good
way of settling in and getting to know his host brothers better.
Throughout the year of Joel’s exchange, Lurpak entered a battle of
the bands festival and played at numerous parties that helped
Joel’s guitar technique improve dramatically, as well as his love
of music and interest for it in his future.
Arriving back in Australia in late 2001, Joel bought a drum kit as
he had began teaching himself on Flo’s kit in Germany a few moths
prior to leaving. Joel continued teaching himself and remains
self-taught today. In early 2002, he also purchased a bass with
intent to record all three instruments on a freeware recording
program on
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his computer. This was the beginning of Schickel, a
slang German word for ‘The Village Idiot’, which had remained
stuck in Joel’s mind as a potential band name since his days in
Germany.
Joel then began teaching himself Piano after a return trip to
Germany in late 2002. This interest was sparked after purchasing
an album by artist Ben Folds entitled ‘Rocking the Suburbs’. Ben
immediately became a huge inspiration. Other influences included Foo Fighters and No Doubt..
No Doubt's Adrian Young has been Joel’s main influence on
drums and showman antics.
By late 2003 Joel had recorded
a 7-track EP called 'What's with all the Soup... Mary?' featuring
all original songs, performed and recorded by himself. Joel and fellow Schickeler
Jason Golding will be in studio from April 2nd recording the debut
album 'Blue, Green and Tuesday'.
Joel has a Diploma in Audio
Engineering.
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