Paul J Penton is emerging as one of Australia’s dynamic new breed of craft based singer songwriters. His music is steeped in years of singing and strumming the guitar, anything from 12 string to Classical and lately Resonator guitars and Ukulele! Musical disciplines began early with a father who played trumpet, violin and piano as well as the occasional cameo in the Navy brass band. With brothers and sisters playing instruments in local ensembles, music was in the blood.
Paul’s first band experience in country Victoria was as a part-time member of the ‘Scorpions’, a long time before the heavy metal band of the same name. Along with Fitzy, Prouty, Weavo and Swayney they practised in a milking shed for gigs at weddings, tennis club fundraisers and other local events. Moving to the city, Paul formed garage bands with other former school friends and colleagues. There was plenty of youthful enthusiasm, even if some of the band names – ‘The Monumental Masons’ [carving their name in rock!] ‘The Orange Experiment’ and the ‘Mars Watchers’ were somewhat unfortunate.
This was the time when Queen was hitting the top ten with Bohemian Rhapsody, Countdown ruled Australian TV and the Little River Band was touring to sold out stadiums in the United States. Meanwhile, back in Melbourne, the Monumental Masons were singing about nuclear disarmament, alienation and young love, trying to get gigs in local pubs and meet girls. Oh and believing world domination of the music industry within five years was also a real possibility.
In the early Eighties Paul played solo for a few years at venues like the Green Lantern, Fat Bob’s Café and the legendary Green Man, where the Seekers got their start 20 years earlier. Paul’s solo songwriting continued with occasional, loose collaborations with talented friends culminating in the release of his first album ‘In the Name of’, in 2001. The CD reflects a clear musical progression over the years . Titles include ‘Better World’, a little ahead of its time, it’s a stinging critique of casual consumerism and a media frenzy where the medium is definitely more important than the message. Then there’s the slow burn acoustic number ‘I Need You’, addiction in all its forms.