From high-profile fans and critical acclaim to on-stage brawls in Hamburg, Greg Appel's new book documents the highs and lows of life in a touring band.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bulli resident Appel has almost finished writing the self-published Confessions of a Lighthouse Keeper, and launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover the costs.
The 250-page memoir details the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter's tenure in indie-folk/pop band The Lighthouse Keepers.
The Lighthouse Keepers were formed in Sydney, their initial tenure spanning from about 1983 to 1986.
They supported major acts like Violent Femmes and The Go-Betweens, and are considered favourites among the generation who came of age in the inner cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra during the 1980s.
Since the split, they have played occasional benefits and other reunion shows.
"It's not the biggest band in the world - it's what you'd call 'indie' now," Appel, 58, said. "But we had an audience, certainly enough to get a crowd."
Appel has been working on the book sporadically for five years.
The book features interviews and diary entries, and a foreword by former Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, a long-time fan of the band.
Musicians interviewed included other members of The Lighthouse Keepers, Lindy Morrison (The Go-Betweens), Murray Cook (The Wiggles), legendary pop star John Paul Young and Steve Kilbey (The Church).
"Some of these people I haven't seen for a long time, so I wouldn't say they surprised me with they had to say," Appel said.
"But it's just nice to see them, and what they've said was often moving.
"You didn't think they'd (still) care, but they do."
The book documents the group's European tour.
The jaunt often proved disastrous, including an on-stage brawl in Hamburg.
"We got a couple of good reviews, went over and tried our luck," Appel said.
"It was a trip with mixed results... It definitely wasn't a failure, but the band just weren't really built for it.
"I'd say that tour ended the band. It started to feel like too much work. It might sound lazy saying that, but that's what I felt it was.
"The music has hung around much longer than we would have ever imagined, and to be talking about it at this stage of my life is pretty amazing."
It also covers the film-maker's life afterwards, including working on ABC TV shows and documentaries.
"It's using my own life and journey through trying to do stuff in the arts in Australia, which has its positives and negatives," Appel said.
The Pozible campaign, which runs until the end of May, enables fans to purchase a copy, while also offering further incentives for those who pledge financial support.
This includes personalised artwork on the first 50 copies, and access to two new Lighthouse Keeper tracks.
Books are expected to be delivered by July.
You can join the campaign here.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
