Steve Smythe is a musician that became a scientist that became a teacher. As a 9 year old child doing lessons in school Steve found a love of music. And not just learning music but creating it. The freedom of making a song was the driving force behind a life of riffs, epic haircuts and crazy ideas. With the teenage years came jobs and dreams, pushing trolleys and cleaning fish alongside the blue mowhawk and a punk band. From the kitchens grew a love of cooking with a dash of industrial metal. After school some sensible choices led to university which was promptly discarded for busking and waiting tables. A small gem appeared in the form of teaching music at this time. Teaching is creating. Creating understanding is an amazing feeling and Steve sought it out with passion.
University returned with a Science degree that went into crazy places – the brain. Neuroscience is the bastion of the unknown. What better place to explore and wonder. Alongside this a Teaching degree played accompaniment while living on rice, a jar of curry paste and nightly trips into the Valley music scene in Brisbane, Australia.
Fatherhood became a driving force in Steve’s 20’s where he created a home for music at the School of Rock in Noosa, Australia. The carpark would come alive with bands playing on the backs of F-Trucks and wild nights wrapped in chaotic rock. Evolution happened as it does in hard times as a financial crisis threw ruin on business. A training organisation was born that taught students for 7 more years. The Academy of Sound Production achieved its peak in the City to Sands Battle of the Bands covering South East Queensland with original artists.
Like an album that could never be repeated the music school shut. Steve had burnt out on the thrills of his 20’s ran it a bit to long into his 30’s and like a washed up artist playing Vegas shows he took a look at his life. Some drastic changes were needed – back to University at 240 beats per minute. Grad Cert in Executive Leadership, Master of Business Administration, Grad Cert in Business Research Methods, Master in Education. And we are now up to speed. Steve’s back in school teaching Science, Maths and Music – at the same time no less. About to embark on the next album – 7 minute music.
