By Jo Kennett
FAT ALBERT lead singer Matt Buggy is gearing up to defy the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, by participating in Ocsober to help reduce drug and alcohol related harm in young people.
Matt said being in a band meant that they were constantly encouraged to drink.
“You are working six or seven nights a week a lot and there are beers on stage when you get there and punters will buy you beers as well,” he told The Weekly.
“It’s really encouraged in the music industry, you get paid to drink.”
“It’s because people are out and everyone is drinking and they look like they’re having fun and so they must be drinking.”
Matt said with gigs every night and drinking every night he used to spend half the day hungover.
“Then it’s time to go shower and go to another gig and have another drink and your never completely sober,” he said.
“It’s a kind of dark, depressing place to be.
“Alcohol is a depressant, it really is.”
Matt said that he realises things were serious after repeated drink-driving convictions.
“I’ve got an interlock device in my car and when that happens after a few run-ins with the law you start to see a bit of a trend,” he said.
“A lot of people don’t think I will last but I’m here to prove them wrong.
“I’ve already raised $200 – the idea is to give kids the information they need about drugs and alcohol that we didn’t have when we were their age, to show them there are other choices.”
Matt said he had been thinking about it for a while and thought about doing dry July but had a few weddings on so decided to go for Ocsober instead.
“At the end of August I decided to cut right back in September – we had the Raiders grand final and my wedding anniversary and the NRL grand final is on at the end of September so they are my three cheats for this month and next month it will be nothing,” Matt said.
“I started bike riding and running to wear myself out during the day so I would sleep well at night.
“I’m trying to encourage to people to get out there and enjoy life and the sunshine and the oxygen in your lungs rather than just sitting around drinking.”
Matt said he was inspired by other local musicians who had given up drinking.
“The people that really inspired me were Matty Rogers and Mason Rack – neither of them drink anymore and they’re gigging heaps more and travelling and doing all sorts of things,” he said.
“Mason was like me, he went through a dark time and now he’s come out the other side.
“If we can do it – and we are around it constantly – anyone can.”
There is a donation tin at the Pottsville Tavern in support of Matt’s fundraiser and there will also be tins at all Buggy Brothers and Fat Albert gigs.
“If anyone wants to donate that would be good because it’s a great cause but also for anyone who is thinking of giving it a break they can contact us through the Fat Albert band page if they are struggling and need some help and encouragement,” Matt said.
“I’m here for them.”
To donate to Matt’s fund visit: ocsober.com.au, hit the donate link and type in Matt Buggy.