PJ Dunnage

 Can’t Turn Back The Clock - Percussion

In PJ's own words................

"My name is Peter Dunnage…most people just call me PJ and I’ve written songs and recorded under the name P.J. Dee.

My musical journey started in Newcastle, sneaking into the old Mawson Hotel, Caves Beach, to listen to bands like The Oils, Chisel, The Angels and more but I always found a connection to bands like The Savannah Silver Band and the percussive Santana-ish, jazz rock fusion style they played. Local bands like Delta (later to become Daniel), The Marshal Brothers, Maya, Heroes and Rat Salad all contributed to my musical journey. I was one of those annoying guys who wanted to jump up, grab a tambourine, harmonica or play unused bongos and join in with the band. I actually got on stage with touring British band, The Sweet and started to play congas during a song. Security went to throw me off but the drummer said - leave him on, he’s got the groove…I finished the set with them!

Fast forward to 2008 when I moved to Merimbula/Bega as General Manager of 2EC/ Power FM (I had a 26 year career in sales and management in the radio industry, (Newcastle, Central Coast, Warragul, Cairns, Gold Coast, Muswellbrook). One night I went to The Cantina in Merimbula and saw a familiar face, owner Yarnnie Drakopoulos, who I met in Newcastle many years before when I was working venue security and he was playing drums for Melbourne based band - Ocean. This led to an impromptu guest appearance on congas to support a singer guitarist playing at the Cantina, which led to a call from Artie Westwood from The Lounge Lizards to play at a gig with Artie and Trevor Goodwin. That turned into a 6 year ‘jam’ with The Lizards.

Since then I’ve played with The Blue Havanaz, King Kong’s Hat, The Figmentz (with the highlight being The Joe Cocker Tribute shows) Garry Carson Jones, Andy O’Donnell, Sam Stevenson, Chris Ralphs, Paul Dion and Jackson Fisher. Throw in some special event, guest appearances with a couple of Newcastle bands along the way.

Artie Westward and I started writing original material and recording at his home studio - The Dome. Many rough cuts were recorded but never finished as Artie moved to Cairns.

My playing career fell away after that as my wife and I ventured into the hospitality industry ( Jodie’s Fishpen Takeaway, Ollie Mason’s Eden and recently Merimbula’s Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant). During that time and despite not playing percussion, I’ve kept my love of music alive by co-presenting with Yarnnie Drakopoulos, a 3 hour radio show “On The Flipside” on 97.5 Sapphire FM where we play both sides of old vinyl 45s.

Now retired from hospitality, (again) I’m getting back into playing and looking forward to writing, laying down some new music and contributing to the PBGB while above all else, having and keeping it all fun!"

Well welcome to the PBGB Shed PJ !!

Editor's Note - PJ references a number of musos who have appeared in The PBGB Shed over the years. Check out the Musos Pages ( under 'The Musos' tab at top of this page )  for Stretch Limousine ( which features Yarnnie Drakopoulos ),  Artie Westwood, individual members of The Figmentz ( Andy O'Donnell, Ken Vatcher, Dave Crowden, John Drews ), Garry Carson Jones, and Chris Ralfs, and check out their contributions to the PBGB ouvre.