Leigh Keast gave up performing live music for six years because he wanted to play in a cricket premiership.
The Ocean Grove singer and guitarist fulfilled his dream, playing in an A Grade flag for Collendina, but then grew restless.
He started doing a few shows in Ocean Grove and then got bitten by the musical bug again.
He formed his own band, Songs of Matchbox 20 that features some of the best-known local musicians and the band is wowing crowds.
Featuring Vish on drums, Christian Benci and Nathan Bennett on guitar, Steve Hobbs on bass, James Hunt on keyboard and Kate Daley with backing vocals, the band formed seamlessly.
“Basically I’m the weak link in the band, it’s amazing,” he said modestly.
“They are all so talented.”
Leigh tossed up between Matchbox 20 and Bon Jovi to focus on and eventually settled on Rob Thomas’ band because “Bon Jovi has some really high notes that are hard to do”.
“I have always loved Matchbox 20,” he said.
“Although wanted to have vocally something a little bit different to Matchbox 20 so it was more celebrating the songs rather than being a tribute band and dressing like them and sounding like them.
“I love the stories associated with their songs – ‘3am’ a lot of people think that is about a relationship and feeling lonely, but he (Thomas) wrote it when he was about 18 or 19 about a time when he was 13 or 14 and his mum had cancer.”
Playing regular gigs at the Piano Bar in Geelong, Leigh said the Sunday afternoon sessions are a perfect outlet for the band members, who are all busy during the week.
The next gig is at the Piano Bar on 26 May. Tickets at Piano Bar Facebook page.
