ROBBIE Curtis has discovered the power of good music.
The St Edmund’s College, Ipswich old boy is a member of The Bigger Picture, a band playing on June 2 at the Eclipse youth rally in Ipswich.
Robbie, 18, started the band last September and emphasises their direction is ‘purely positive’.
He is excited about the rally, which is being organised by some of the young people of St Mary’s parish, Ipswich, as well as the chance to involve young people from a number of parishes in the area.
‘We want to show young people that there is stuff happening and there are lots of great bands out there,’ he said.
Two other bands, Customa and Tankish Behaviour, will perform at the rally which will also include drama and multimedia displays.
Robbie’s brother Paul and cousin James Underwood both play guitar and provide vocals for Customa.
‘They have been playing in the band for a few years,’ said Robbie.
‘It’s partly Dad’s musical influence, but when I hit high school and started playing Paul decided he would follow.
‘Customa is more a punk-style band. The Bigger Picture started getting pretty serious about their music in November last year and decided on a new direction,’ said Robbie.
As the main lyrics writer, Robbie said he wanted to be in a band that would benefit people.
‘We incorporate a lot of Christian themes into the lyrics,’ he said.
‘And many of the issues that are discussed are about different experiences that I have had.
‘We try to tackle topics that young people are facing these days.
One song called Hope was the result of a humbling experience, said Robbie.
‘I was driving through the Valley one night when I saw this young girl sitting in the gutter. I looked at her and our eyes met. I went home and wrote a song about it.
‘It’s about kids not having enough opportunity to do the things they want these days,’ he said.
‘All the wrong stuff is getting out there.
‘Music is a global language and the majority of people are influenced by what they listen to.’
‘So we aim to keep it positive. I have already had some feedback from people saying they have got something back from the music we play,’ said Robbie.
He said The Bigger Picture does have a metal influence and can get heavy in parts.
‘At the same time, we also give it a melodic sound. It isn’t someone just yelling into the microphone,’ he said.
‘We support Christian music and we’re into music that takes you places, that sends a message.’
The Bigger Picture recently won a band competition run by the Kruger Baptist Church in Redbank Plains. Customa came second.
The band has also played gigs in Ipswich and in Brisbane, at the Jubilee Hotel in Fortitude Valley and the Gabba Hotel in Woolloongabba.
They have also had gigs at the Everton Hills Police Citizens’ Youth Club and the Edinburgh Castle Hotel in Kedron.
The Bigger Picture has also been invited to play at several Baptist churches in the Ipswich area, including the Silkstone Baptist Church.
The band has released a self-titled four track EP and anyone interested in joining the growing number of fans can sign up to The Bigger Picture’s mailing list by e-mailing thebiggerpicture3@hotmail.com
WHAT: Eclipse youth rally
WHERE: St Mary’s Parish Hall, Ipswich
WHEN: June 2, 7pm-9pm
