Keith Rowlands

When Keith (aka Sarg) was about six, he took the wooden rods out of two old fashioned wire/wood coat hangers and used them to hit the vinyl top of a kitchen stool. This was his first “kit” and he would spend time playing along to 50’s & 60’s music on his parent’s record player without realising this was the start to his many years of playing, and enjoying music. Somewhat different to what he plays today, a Remo six piece kit , Sabian Cymbals and DW double kick pedals.

Keith can remember being thirteen and washing cars and doing chores to save for his first real drum kit. Having worked hard to get it, he worked even harder at learning to play. Several kits later Keith joined his first band “Big Deal” with Barry and John Hamilton. They had a ball playing in most of the Auckland pubs and clubs with their mostly original boogie and blues set list. The highlight for him back in the eighties was playing at the Littleweed Music festival near Katikati on a big stage with an even bigger PA system. In their early twenties they rocked on for a couple of years laying down some recording sessions at Stebbings and other Auckland studios to capture the moment. Eventually the group split and they all went off in different directions.

Keith joined country band “Stonewall” which featured the great vocal talent of Louise Jackson. Wanting to up his skill levels he meet up with Frank Gibson Jnr and spent the next eighteen months really learning how to play the drums! Frank has always been an inspiration, especially in Jazz, a style Keith was really starting to love and one of his biggest challenges to learn.

Another few years passed and he then joined an all original band called “The Bonivilles”, another blues/rock outfit strong on guitar and classic hooks. They recorded an EP around 1993. After spending spare time doing sound and lighting for a friends band ‘Positive Touch’ Keith & the guitarist, Mark Rosieur started ‘Amnesia’. They worked together for around fifteen years, playing gigs wherever the opportunity presented itself. David Peryman joined them in the last couple of years to make a more solid four piece unit.

From this Keith & Dave moved on to form “Good Oil” along with Kim Crossan. From the original band members this has now developed into the current line-up, which has proven to be a very passionate team playing fun, easy listening covers and their own mix of jazzy originals.