Most people know Joe as the drummer in local funk-reggae band Tommy M and The Mastersounds. 

The band  has achieved a lot in a very short time, such as taking out first place in the Mercury Bluescope band comp 2011, as well as winning the i98fm summer search party band comp and the Illawarra Brewery’s  Home Brew’d competition. 

Not too shabby for a bunch of fresh-faced youngsters who were still in school at the time. 

Well, Joe not only drums for these guys, but now also sings most of the songs. And he is only 19 years old.

While still drumming and singing with Tommy M and The Mastersounds, Joe is taking his solo career to the next level with a single release happening this December. It ties in nicely with the band’s recent release of their new EP This Kind of Heat.

Joe’s single is called June and July and will be part of his debut EP, which has the same title. I had a listen to the single online and, if it’s anything to go by, then the EP is going to be a ripper. The film clip is on YouTube, too.

What’s really cool about this EP is that Joe recorded it all himself at home, playing all the instruments himself.

When I asked Joe what made him go from playing the drums to singing and playing guitar, he told me how he had a bad skateboarding accident when he was 14. That confined him to a wheelchair for three months. Not being able to jump on a drum kit while his legs healed, he started playing guitar and singing.

 Joe is launching his new EP at Jamberoo Pub on December 7. To follow Joe, search for Joe Mungovan Music on facebook.com.

Glenn Haworth runs Haworth’s Music Centres in Shellharbour and Fairy Meadow. Check out haworthguitars.com.au.