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 Clifford HarriganDrums, Percussion, Back up vocalsOther instruments: Guitar First Gig Clifford first played with Country Unknown when he was 8 years old. The drum player couldn't play one night so his dad got him up to play the drums. Clifford was nervous and remembers looking at the ground the whole night with all these kids there gawking at him. But after that he was "unstoppable". Clifford was the first of his siblings to play with dad's band. Already playing for ten years when the other boys started, Clifford then looked after the younger ones when each brother started playing with the band. Learning About Music Ronnie, Clifford's dad, taught him the guitar and bought him one for $20 when he was 11 years old. Clifford loved playing guitar. The first thing he'd do when he came home from school was grab the guitar and practice till his fingers got blistered. School Life and The Brian Young Show Clifford went to Cooktown State School and loved arts. Clifford used to draw comic heroes Spiderman, Flash Gordon, Batman. He also loved sports and won medals for short distance running. He also played AFL and Rugby League. After leaving school in Year 8, he went to work for Brian Young, a country singer. With Brian Young's band he travelled all over Australia, he was just shy of 14 years old when he left home. Clifford then learnt to fend for himself; cooking, washing, etc. He travelled from 1988 to 1990.  Clifford then decided to take a
break and did labouring and bricklaying work around Cooktown. He
then saw an ad for indigenous musicians to study at the University
of Adelaide. Even though he only finished Year 8, he decided to
apply. He was invited over to Adelaide and went to university for
three years. He graduated with an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal
Studies and Music in 1994.Clifford loved university. He shared a flat with other "lads". Whilst studying, he was invited along with eight other students (who at least had to have high distinction marks - 90 percent and over) to go to Southern Japan for an International Music Festival. They travelled to cities like Yokohama, Osaka and Kobe for three weeks all expenses paid. He also stayed with a Japanese family and saw and learnt how Japanese people lived. He still loves Japanese and other Asian food. After graduating, Clifford came back home and got a call from Brian Young to play in his band again. He then went back on tour in 1995. He has fond memories of going on tour with Brian Young and is still great friends with a lot of the old band members who hail from all over Australia. Clifford loved the adventure of travelling and admits he used to get "itchy feet". He is now settled with wife Marcia and their two kids, Jacinta and Kelsey, and has lived in Kowanyama for seven years. He juggles family life with weekend gigs with Black Image. Even though he lives on the other side of Cape York and has to travel far, he loves playing with the band and says that Marcia appreciates seeing his joy when he plays with his brothers. Musical Influences  Loves: Blues, funk, reggae, South African music Listen to: Eric Clapton, Tracy Chapman, Midnight Oil, Ziggy Marley, Jeff Heeley, ACDC, Eagles Indigenous bands and artists such as Coloured Stone, Mixed Relations, Frank Yamma and (our good mate) Troy Cassar-Daley. Biggest influence is his dad, Ronnie " Without him we wouldn't be playing.. Maybe we could have been lawyers or professors instead ". What Is Important Good upbringing, respect, manners, and discipline. "Balancing work and family commitments is hard work but you have to work hard or you won't get anywhere. I never stop working. I love to work."  "It doesn't matter whether we're
playing for 10 or 3,000 people. The boys enjoy it. My advice to my
younger brothers is play music because you enjoy it. Our success so
far was not an overnight thing. The band has worked their butt
off."Clifford says it is very important to set a good example for other young indigenous kids. |
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