Casey rockers are in the flow

By Rebecca Fraser
NARRE Warren musician Mat Weaven is enjoying the flow of success with his band Upstream preparing to release their debut EP.
The 26-year-old sound engineering graduate from RMIT University has been writing music for more than 10 years, and has spent this year performing throughout Victoria and Thailand on the band’s “Souls Trapped in Bodies 2005 Tour”.
The hard rock band, which includes two other Casey residents, was on holiday in Koh Samui in August when they were asked to play at various pubs on the island.
Mr Weaven said the band enjoyed performing to an international crowd and had now set their sights on more overseas performances.
The four-man band formed three years ago. Mr Weaven is lead vocalist and plays guitar, Chris Tremlett plays guitar, Brent Hall plays bass and Chris Robertsis is on drums.
He said the band were busy recording their as-yet-unnamed album at Pony Music in Hallam and had also received air play on PBS radio.
Upstream will perform at the Barleycorn Hotel in Johnston Street Fitzroy on Saturday 10 December alongside bands Turbines to Speed and Mordi.
Tickets are $8 and all funds raised will be used to purchase books for underprivileged children in Africa.
Mr Weaven said they were hoping to attract more than 150 people to the charity performance and were also looking forward to New Year’s Eve when they will perform in San Remo.
After working on his dream of being a successful musician for more than a decade, he says he is determined to fulfil his dream.
“It has taken me all these years to find other (band) members and evolve as a musician,” he said.
“Many (musicians) fail and crumble but I have dedicated myself to this and have been in it too long for this not to work.”
The debut EP, featuring original songs Battle Chest, Internet Games and Turbulence, will be released through the band’s record label Impending Doom. For further details go to upstreamrocks.com